Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt


My first job was working in a strawberry patch.  My sister's in-laws owned 7 acres of strawberries that they sold to the general public, and I landed the role as cashier for the people coming to pay for their u-picked strawberries.  Every morning I arrived promptly at 6 am when the berry patch opened and worked diligently throughout the morning directing people to the correct fields, weighing buckets of berries, and collecting money from patrons anxious to show family members their juicy and delicious collection.

I was convinced that I had the best job at the berry patch.  I watched my fellow co-workers trekking around in the dew covered fields, getting mud on their shoes and knees. I saw their red-stained fingers from picking berry after berry, and I heard about their strained arm muscles from carrying filled buckets of strawberries to the cash register.  All the while, I remained stationary at my post, sitting in my lawn chair perfectly angled toward the sun.  My feet rested comfortably on the top of my shoes, my sleeves rolled up to my shoulders, and my face tilted upward as to not cast a shadow on my neck. 

Sun goddess or cashier?  Hard to tell the difference.

I spent hours at the strawberry patch.  Not only did I work my tail off (ahem), I also learned how much I loved strawberries.  My favorite way to eat them with covered in a sweet whipped cream, but that may have changed if I tried David Lebovitz's Strawberry Frozen Yogurt back then. 

I didn't think about making homemade ice cream back in those arrogant teenage years of mine, but I have made many versions of strawberry ice cream and frozen yogurt over the last several years.  This version of Strawberry Frozen Yogurt is my new favorite.  The difference between this recipe and others I have tried is found in step one.  Letting your sliced berries, covered in sugar, rest for two hours allows their juices to flow and the sweetness to develop.  The end result is delicious!

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt
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INGREDIENTS:
1 pound (450g) strawberries, rinsed and hulled
2/3 cup (130g) sugar
2 teaspoons vodka (optional)
1 cup (240g) plain yogurt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:
1.  Slice strawberries into small pieces.  Toss in a bowl with sugar and vodka (if using) until the sugar begins to dissolve.  Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.


2.  Transfer strawberries and their juice to the bowl of food processor.  Add yogurt and fresh lemon juice; pulse until the mixture is smooth, 10 pulses for 5 seconds each.  If desired, press mixture through a fine sieve to remove seeds.


3.  Place in refrigerator for 1 hour, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.  Mine states putting in frozen bowl and churning in machine for 30 minutes.  Remove from bowl and place in freezer for at least 2 hours before serving.



Recipe from David Lebovitz

Other frozen yogurt recipes you might enjoy:
Blackberry Frozen Yogurt by Cook Like A Campion
Peach Frozen Yogurt by Technicolor Kitchen
Cranberry Frozen Yogurt by Foodie Reflections
Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt by A Sweatpea Chef
Blackberry Lemon Frozen Yogurt by Craving Chronicles
Plum Frozen Yogurt by Passionate About Baking
Watermelon Frozen Yogurt Popsicles by Family Fresh Cooking

5 comments:

Harvesting for Life said...

Oh my word... This looks AMAZING! I wonder where that Ice Cream maker my hubby promised me for Mother's Day is... This needs to be made asap!

Renee Paj said...

I really want to make this! I have been trying to find good recipes for my ice cream maker lately....and since strawberries are in season, this is perfect. thanks for sharing!

Judee @ Gluten Free A-Z said...

I'm stopping by from Tasty Tuesday. This recipe looks amazing. I don't have an ice cream maker, but it might be worth getting one. I am your newest follower. I hope you will visit my blog and follow me back.

Lynn said...

Vodka-infused strawberry yogurt? Love it. I'll have to make two batches.

Torviewtoronto said...

first time in your lovely site this looks lovely
Torviewtoronto and Createwithmom