Paula Deen disappointed me with her Orange Cake, but NOT with her Orange Sherbet. This is one of those “Philadelphia-Style” ice creams that I am so crazy about. There’s no custard to make and no eggy taste to the resulting ice cream. The directions called for whole milk and whipping cream, but I used whole milk and half and half. If you don’t mind a not-so-creamy texture to your ice cream, you too can reduce the fat content by using one or two steps down in the type of dairy called for in the recipe, using half-and-half plus low fat milk, perhaps? Since this ice cream also has some orange juice in it, it is automatically lower in fat than many other ice creams out there! BUT, you can be sure the taste is still GREAT, or I wouldn’t be posting this recipe. This sherbet has a strong orange taste, but not overpoweringly so, it’s like the taste of a really good mushed up 50/50 bar! (Reducing the fat content of the dairy, making the sherbet icier, will only intensify the similarity). In fact, [light blub goes off!] this sherbet should probably be called “Smashed 50/50 Bar Sherbet”!
The original recipe was from Paula Deen’s “Best Desserts” Special Interest Collector’s Issue. I increased the orange zest and adjusted the quantities to fit into a 1 quart ice cream maker.
Orange Sherbet
1 1/2 cups orange juice
grated zest of one orange
3/4 cup sugar
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon orange extract (use vanilla extract if you don’t have orange)
1 1/2 cups whole milk (or 2%, 1%, or non-fat… every step down in fat content will affect the texture and creaminess/iciness of the sherbet)
1 cup whipping cream (or half-and-half)
In a large bowl combine orange juice, zest, sugar, lemon juice, and extract. Stir until sugar is dissolved (2-3 minutes). Stir in milk and cream. Cover and chill for 2-4 hours (or overnight). Pour chilled mixture into container of an electric ice cream maker. Freeze until slushy. Remove mixture to an airtight container and freeze until firm (about 2 hours).
