Chocolate Cherry Sorbet + A Giveaway!

I know most of the country has been experiencing an excessive heat wave (I can only imagine) and you're probably wanting Fall's crisp, clear, cool days to come as quickly as possible. For everyone in the NW though, Summer has finally arrived and my tanned arms and legs can prove it.

I can't remember having to wait so long just to see a little sunshine. All the rain and cloudy days we've been having not only kept the sun away but have also slowed things down in the local produce department. It seems everything is coming a week or two behind schedule. Which also means that while cherry season is just ending for most, I was still able to pick up a good amount of fresh Bing cherries from the farmers market.

I had this chocolate cherry sorbet bookmarked well before cherry season hit. At the time I didn't even have an ice cream maker, but there was one on our registry, and both Scott and I were crossing our fingers we'd get one. 

Now I know most people can't see the point of adding such a thing to their already full kitchen cupboards, especially when one lives in a small city apartment. However, a few years ago I realized dairy products (mostly milk and ice cream) were not my body's best friend, when consumed in large quantities. That meant ice cream had to go, because I can rarely consume only a few bites. This was harder on Scott than me. So occasionally we'd buy some, but inevitably I'd end up having a bowl and feeling terrible afterwords. Then we found ice cream made with dairy alternatives, which was great, but a little expensive when your starting up and running your own business. So we cut back, a lot, and I decided the best way to go, would be to make it myself.

With such excessive heat this week, sometimes a thick and creamy frozen dessert, like ice cream, doesn't even sound appetizing, so we put our new ice cream maker to good use with sorbet instead. Using fresh organic cherries and deep chocolaty cocao powder to create a frozen treat that was as cooling and refreshing as it was delicious. I do however have a few diary free ice cream recipes I can't wait to experiment with.

Now to the giveaway. I couldn't think of a better way to share my excitement at finally having an ice cream maker, than to provide all my wonderful US and Canadian readers (I promise to have another giveaway that includes everyone) with a one time use, $60 gift certificate to use on any item you wish at any CSNstores site! Might I suggest one of the Le Creuset products for those of you who can't wait to turn the oven on and get into the mood for Fall's seasonal favorites.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Tell me what your absolute favorite, must have, can't live without, kitchen item you own is and please leave some way for me to contact you if you win. For a second chance to enter twitter to @slidesideways about this giveaway and leave another comment on this post.

All entries must be in by Saturday, 21th at 11pm PST and I will select one winner through random.org the following Monday.

Now go cool off and make some sorbet!

Chocolate Cherry Sorbet

Adapted from The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook
makes 4 cups

2 cups water

3/4 - 1 cup cane sugar, depending on sweetness preferance

1/2 cup cocao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups pitted cherries

Puree the cherries in a food processor. In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, sugar, cocao, and vanilla, add in the blended cherries. Freeze in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instruction.