Dad has a serious problem. Like a big problem. Kinda like my nail polish problem. Once the weather gets nice and plants appear in the stores he cannot. Stop. Buying. Them. He finds plants, likes them, and buys them. He ventures out to home improvements stores, flower nurseries, Costco (the bigger the flowers, the better), and even grocery stores where the blooms tempt him.
We’ve got dozens of morning glories which he grew from seed. They are now tall and climbing all over the living room window, waiting to feel the sunshine outside. As soon as they sprout, they start growing toward the window, soaking up as much sun as possible. My favorite thing is when they bloom inside, and they’ve done that a lot this year, five flowers today alone! It’s so cool to see them in the mornings.
And so far this year, Dad’s already bought a red hanging mandevilla because he’d never seen one before. This was followed by a white mandevilla because he’d only seen red or pink before. Luckily we all really like mandevillas.
This, however, is a pretty awesome problem (again like my nail polish problem). As much as Mom and I kid him about coming home with a plant every time he leaves the house, we love the plants as much as him. There’s nothing like looking out at the colorful bounty on the deck every morning, or taking a walk to enjoy all the beauty. They really are something special to be treasured, especially since it will be in the blink of an eye that winter and the first frost turn all of that beauty into the sadness that is all those chilly months of the year. I can’t really blame him for wanting to buy them all.
Today we’re continuing our tradition of going to pick out flowers as a family. It might just be the day of the year I look forward to more than any other. I’ll be carrying an umbrella to protect me from the sun, squealing every time I spot a bee, and traipsing through the aisles in platform heels, but I really do love it! Dad will spend the rest of the weekend planting. I promise to provide some yummy treats as recovery food.
Along with flowers, frozen treats are another perk of summer. Sorbet is my favorite, and this Apricot Sorbet is absolutely amazing. My first homemade sorbet, it certainly won’t be my last. Not only is this vegan and gluten free, it’s also easy to make and so creamy and refreshing with fabulous apricot flavor. I think I’ll grab a scoop for some pre-flower shopping fuel.
Apricot Sorbet
- Total Time: 1 hour 13 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 scoops 1x
Ingredients
- 15 small to medium apricots, pitted and halved, do not peel
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine apricots and water. Cook, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 13 minutes, until the apricots are very soft and falling apart. Stir in the sugar and allow to cool at room temperature about 1 hour.
- After the mixture has cooled slightly, pour it into a blender. If the mixture is still hot, remove the insert in the blender lid and cover with a kitchen towel or paper towel. Blend until completely smooth. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours. Churn the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once churned it will be like soft serve (and super yummy). You may freeze it in an airtight container for a couple of hours to harden (also super yummy). It may be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod
Sorbet base will need an additional 4 hours to chill before churning.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
Glad you liked the sorbet!
Thanks for visiting, Maria!
when does the vanilla go in, I followed the directions last night and it is in the freezer now, is it too late to add vanilla?
I can’t believe I missed that! I am so sorry! It is too late to add the vanilla, but the sorbet will be fantastic without it. I hope you enjoy it, Tammy 🙂
It was fantastic without and. I made another batch with the vanilla. Cant decide which is better and I used Madagascar vanilla Thanks a great recipe
I’m so glad to hear that, Tammy! Your comment made my day 🙂
I love apricots so I know I would love this. Don’t have an ice cream maker but it makes me want to buy one….
Hey, I always rate your recipes as 5 stars but it never shows it….do you see it or if not, do you know why?
I don’t see the ratings and don’t know why – so many things about blogging I don’t understand. I also love apricots. I don’t know how I went this long without an ice cream maker. I love it.
HAHA Your dad’s serious problem with plants… I think my mom has the same problem. 😀
This sorbet sounds incredibly good! I love apricots!
I agree – flowers and frozen treats are the perks of summer. Loved the story about your dad! haha
Apricots are one of my fave fruits of summer and this looks like SUCH a wonderful way to use them!
I love apricots too! I’m having more of the sorbet tonight 🙂
The sorbet sounds good, I never knew how it was made. When I retire I plan to have a garden with stone walkways and raised planting areas for vegetables and flowers and a pergola as a centerpiece.
The sorbet can actually be made with raw fruit, but the flavor is intensified by cooking. Your garden sounds amazing!
This sounds delicious! I love the plant hoarding story 🙂
haha….I think my Father-in-law might have a similar “problem” as your Dad. Instead, he buys fruit trees. There are oranges (3 different kinds), Meyer Lemons, Peach, Kumquat, Figs, Avocado, passion fruit, date, guava, pomegranate, tangerine…etc at his garden. LOL…We love it too, especially me. Because I can go pick fruit any time I want (if I don’t mind the drive!)
This Apricot sorbet looks refreshing and delicious. I can’t wait to make it as I’ve been making frozen treat all year round since I got the ice cream maker. 😛 Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
I hope to one day have the problem of buying tons of fruit trees. I dream of having a yard full of fruit trees. Please let me know if you make the sorbet and how you like it, Amy!
Such a refreshing treat for hot weather like Singapore!
I´m imagining the flavor of this one. I adore sorbets and somehow missed the last apricot season. But won´t next time!
The season for really good apricots is way too short. I have found the very first ones of the season have been awesome so far.
Very, very good!
I know is still cold outside and freeze, but i’ll eat a ice cream flavour anytime, is so goooood..
I don’t have an ice cream maker. Can I put directly in the freezer???
Hi Michelle! You can’t really put it directly in the freezer. Without an ice cream maker, you can do one of two things. One: freeze the apricots and puree them in a blender or food processor until creamy. I would not add anything other than the apricots, so it’s a healthy dessert. Two: make the sorbet as stated and then pour it into a freezer safe, shallow container. Every 30 minutes or so scrape it with a fork until it’s frozen. It will be more like a granita, but still tasty. I hope this helps!