Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice
Awesome Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice, perfect for spring and summer treats! This simple frozen dessert is easy on the waistline and big on flavor.
Healthy desserts. Is there really such a thing?
It’s sort of a oxymoron, don’t you think? Like a “friendly argument” or “jumbo shrimp” a healthy dessert sounds like a “clearly misunderstood” concept.
When I think of dessert, I think of excess, decadence, fat, carbs, sugar. I think of rich chocolate and silky cream. However, healthy is not on the radar when I ponder dessert.
Our friends that long for healthy desserts, aren’t trying to ruin the party for everyone else. The “greater minority” simply want to treat themselves without being burdened by guilt.
Although I rarely have guilt after eating something sweet, I can appreciate that train of thought.
So today’s Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice recipe (AKA dairy free sorbet) is for you, healthy dessert eaters. You deserve a chance to indulge while staying trim.
I’ve combined Meyer Lemons and Black Peppercorns for a delightful Italian Ice. Sound strange? Meyer lemons are less acidic than regular lemons and have a slight floral essence. This, paired with a touch of peppery heat in the back of your throat, makes a tantalizing treat.
Plus, it’s healthy. Black pepper is thought to help with digestion, provide powerful antioxidants, and even break down fat cells.
Above being a great source of vitamin C, lemons also aid digestion and are know to “cure” all sorts of ailments including canker sores, eczema, and reduce fevers.
(What’s a little white processed sugar in comparison to all these benefits?)
If that weren’t enough to close the sale, this Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice is perhaps the easiest recipe ever.
If you can use a zester and boil water, you can make Italian Ice. Although you could put this in your ice cream maker to speed up the freeze time, no special equipment is required. You are 6 ingredients away from a light, yet blissful, reward.
If you can’t find Meyer Lemons, substitute regular lemons. Either way, it’s “terribly good!” *wink*
Looking for more healthy dessert ideas? Try these…
Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 3/4 cup Meyer lemon juice, freshly squeezed (6-8 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Boil 3 cups of water and add the sugar to the pan. Stir until the sugar in completely dissolved and remove from heat.
- Add the Meyer lemon zest and juice, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
- Pour into small 4-6 serving cups and freeze.
- When ready to serve, place on the counter for 10 minutes to soften. (You could also pour it into one larger container to freeze. Then shave it with a spoon into serve dishing later.)
I’m a MAJOR Italian ice lover with a budding Meyer lemon tree in the living room. Hope to try this when I have my own lemons! Lovely post and photos! And who’dathunk to add black pepper? :)
Your post JUST appeared in my mailbox and look how late that is. I am JUST posting my FIRST experience ever with a Meyer lemon – and will link to this post for a look at abundance of Meyer lemons and a fun way to use them (AAA-CHOO) It looks like you had a blast with this dessert and I imagine it was very light bright and sparkly.
:)
Valerie
This looks great and refreshing!… but I will admit that I’d probably want a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt right beside it :) Sort of like a lemon-pepper dreamsicle!
What a unique combination of ingredients! I love peppercorn and citrus…I would love this. Love how it’s a healthy dessert too :-)
Ooo… Sommer, I’m absolutely loving this healthy dessert. Fabulous combination for summer !
This makes me think of hot summer days trying to lick the ice cream before it melts :)
Loving the yellow background :)
Cheers,
Aldy.
Thanks Sommer for thinking of our waistlines, especially with summer just around the corner, I could use a good healthy dessert that’s easy to make like this one. I love the addition of peppercorn here, it’s always nice to shake up traditional flavors with some added heat.
What a refreshing combination…love it :)
flavourful for summer looks good
This is a healthy dessert I could get on board with. I have been in love with Italian ice ever since we’ve lived on the east coast and had Rita’s available. This would certainly satisfy my craving plus I can never say no to anything citrus :o)
Love the combination of flavor. Healthy and delicious. Glad that I bump into your blog. Will sure pass by more often.
We were looking at ice cream makers this weekend, didn’t buy one yet but will be trying this recipe soon. I love lemons and my husband loves ices. We’re set! Beautiful photos once again :)
Oooh Sommer! what a tasty & well flavoured special taste aka ice cream or sorbet??
MMMMMMM,..I adore your vibrant yellow pictures!! Another must make!! :)
oh goodness a lovely spring combo, I love ices and our temps here are wuicly rising!! stunning sommer!
sweetlife
How unique!
Omg…the lemon drink is looking so tempting. I cant wait to try this version of urs…too gud !
Very unique and special. I would count that as a treat :D
Wonderful. The post, the recipe, the pictures!!!! Just awesome.
Quite frankly, I HATE having to eat healthy desserts…fortunately being low carb for my diabetes doesn’t mean I have to be low fat ;) But this ice looks so flavourful and refreshing, I’d eat it happily!