Strawberry Basil Italian Ice
Cool and refreshing Strawberry Basil Italian Ice. A 4-Ingredient treat to that makes berry season even more spectacular.
This recipe was first post in 2010. We’re just bringing it out of the vault, so to speak.
Personalities are funny little things. They are a way for us to package ourselves… for our own understanding, and to present our qualities to others. But they are more than that. We often hold to our personality like a security blanket, a disclaimer for our quirks, shortcomings and bad habits.
“I can’t help that I _____, it’s just the way I AM.“
The truth is, any of us can change something about ourselves if we want to. That’s the beauty of humanity, we choose. Life happens, but we choose how we will respond to it.
I have considered myself a Type A personality most of my life. Driven, focused, orderly, an over-achiever. I do have an artistic side, but overall, my ducks were marching straight as an arrow. This was my “personality” I told myself.
I lived that way for a long time, but found it very wearing. The older I got, the more I realized that a little chaos could be a good thing. Although tricky for us perfectionists, chaos will help you relax and simplify your life, after the initial shock.
Having your cage rattled can actually inspire a person to discover what is truly important in life, and to find balance. I have decided to let go of a lot of my former personality traits, for a less complicated temperament. It’s been a healthy transition. The new me isn’t afraid of making mistakes, and doesn’t have to turn everything into a production. I like this girl.
I’m slowly becoming the girl I’ve always liked to have an a friend.
After all, it’s the simple things in life that bring the most pleasure. I present you with an easy-going treat that packs a powerful punch, Strawberry Basil Italian Ice.
The combination of fresh garden strawberries, basil leaves, and lemon zest creates a stunning flavor that is sure to keep you blending and freezing all summer! This light and hassle-free dessert is perfect for your kiddos, or your most distinguished dinner guests on a sultry summer evening.
There are two ways to present this Strawberry Basil Italian Ice. 1) Freeze the mixture in one large container, then shave with a spoon into fancy little serving dishes. 2) Pour the blended mixture into sturdy dessert cups and freeze. Then allow each person to shave their own ice with their spoons. Either way–it’s amazing!
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
Strawberry Basil Italian Ice
Ingredients
- 1 pint fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup basil leaves
- 1 1/2 cups simple syrup
- 1 lemon zested and juiced
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, combine one cup of water and one cup of sugar in a small sauce pan. Heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Cool a little.
- Place all the ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into 6 small 1/2 cup ramekin dishes. Then freeze until solid.
- When the Italian Ice is ready to serve, remove from the freezer and set on the container for 10 minutes. Then use your spoon to shave away!
L*O*V*E this recipe! Thank you for bringing it out of the “vault”! Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer day than Italian ice! I tweaked the recipe a little to suit our taste: reduced sugar (for the syrup) to 1/4 c. I also use ‘mixed berries’–strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The ‘secret ingredient’ is ½ c. homemade ginger tea in place of ½ c. water for the syrup. (Super easy to make your own ginger tea: just add sliced fresh ginger and a cinnamon stick to water and simmer for half an hour.) Gives the Italian ice a really lovely little kick. Best summer treat ever!
Hi, Sommer–
I love this refreshing summer treat! I tweaked the recipe a bit, reducing the amount of sugar and also adding a generous splash of homemade ginger tea for the syrup. Delicious pop of flavor! Question: Have you ever tried making it with any of the popular sugar substitutes such as monk fruit, erythritol, xylitol, stevia, etc.? Mainly wondering if the substitutes would change the freezing and/or texture of the final product? Thanks!
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Love Italian Ice! Especially in this uber hot weather. And yay for personal growth, I think people are hard on themselves! I know I am sometimes. It pays to relax sometimes, I’m learning.Â
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Sommer – you are singing my song!!! It's uncanny how much this sounds like both the old and the new me! Or, maybe many women just mellow out when motherhood and the attendant mayhem strikes ;)
I love, love, LOVE this! The colour is blindingly beautiful and oh, it is so HOT and sticky here – you have no idea how welcome this would be right now!!
Perfect way to use of some of the basil plant that is threatening to take over my kitchen! Beautiful post, and a great example of why you were included in my first list of awards:
http://tomaytotomaaahto.blogspot.com/p/awards.html
Please stop by and have a look when you get a chance. Cheers!
YUM!!! I've yet to try out a granita, and this looks very promising. Great photos!
The sorbet sounds amazing! Love the combo of strawberries and basil!
Wonderful introspective post. I applaud your continued personal growth. So many people are stuck in arrested development.
Cheers!
That looks like a the perfect summer treat.
oh i've been looking for things to do with the hordes of strawberries we have. it looks so good!
and as for personalities, i'm fairly young (25) but I've learned to compartmentalize my type a personality (most lawyers are type A. we're nuts). i know i need to be a little crazy and let go more often, so I just give myself the space to do that. it makes me feel less guilty when i'm being hardcore.
I was looking for a recipe where I could you the fresh basil from my herb garden and waa-laa..
I love strawberries with basil. It's such a summery combo. And I have a ton of basil… I'll have to make this. Yum!
Beautiful looking sorbet, I would like to try this one!
Love this Sommer – simple and perfect for summer! I'm not so much a type A these days either – I don't know if I tried to change – but life has certainly mellowed me out regardless. ( :
I can't wait to try this! Sounds delicious.
Sometimes a little chaos can be for the best. Everything won't always be perfect, and we have to be ready for it! If it feels a little uncomfortable, have a bit of this Italian ice!
How wonderful this looks!
This is very re freshening idea; the only problem – when we will have summer here ? The weather in Europe is awful. Cold, cold, cold….I love the mixture of strawberries with basil. Thank you.
This recipe looks wonderfully refreshing, I definitely want to try this!
I love this blog post. Very inspiring. The combination of basil with lemon and strawberries sounds delightful!
yummmm, so sweet for the summer, thanks :)
How wonderful and our strawberries are coming in in he garden!
It is hard to let go, isn't it?
Love the dessert idea. My basil is growing!
Thanks.
Beautiful post, good for you that decided to let go…I tend to hold with nails and teeth on mine. The ice cream looks great such a lovely combination. :-D
Beautiful description of your personality type. Bet this beautiful ice can sooth any chaotic moments :D
Perfect for this time of the year! It looks so refreshing with the basil.
I think we should call you Doctor Sommer Collier, chef extraordinare and counsler! Come get food for the body,and mind. Way better than Doctor Phil I don't think he can cook.
Lovely sorbet especially with the addition of basil. As for personality type, I am not a pure A, I think I am a mixture of many types, but I think with age, I get more mellow :o) – That pinkish color remind me of a watermelon, it's just beautiful!
What a delicious and simple recipe using fresh ingredients. You're right about simple things bringing the most pleasure.