I get a real kick out of watching all the Gordon Ramsey shows. Sometimes my kids watch with me, other shows I watch without them because I don't want them to talk like Gordon. What's funny is I really don't cook. I do make meatloaf, ham and bean soup, muffins, bacon... that's about it. I'm much better at warming up things that other people make. But I do love watching other people make magic. It was a super proud parenting moment one night when my son told me that I should cook this dinner if I'm ever on that show with the guy that says bad words and the three judges. Oh, you are the sweetest son in the whole world and I love you sooo much. If you ever see me on MasterChef, I'll be making mac 'n cheese with peas and ham.
Well, one of my co-workers really should go on this show. He is a chemical engineer and a total foodie. He is the main cook in his house completely spoiling his wife and (now grown) daughters. One of his daughters used to babysit for me and I'll never forget she told me she actually lost weight when she went off to college because the food was so much worse than at home. LOST weight. Just can't relate. Whenever he hosts our group socials or offers to bring a dish, the obvious answer is always a resounding YES! I'll be there to eat your food. When you travel with him you know you will NEVER eat at Applebee's or Wendy's. In fact, you're better off just letting him order for the table wherever you go.
We typically have opposite tastes in entertainment. The one show I found we could talk about together is MasterChef. We both watched this last season, chatting about how cool it was that Christine could do her thing without seeing and how much each contestant progressed through the season. After the finale, we critiqued their menus (me in awe of the fact they actually cook, him reviewing techniques and recipes). The very last thing that Christine served to the judges was a coconut lime sorbet. Me - amazed. All he said was "mine is better."
I made his last night. A.MAZ.ING. You have to make it. Ridiculously delicious. Here is the recipe as provided:
Hecht’s Coconut Lime Sorbet
1 can (15 oz.) of coconut cream (find the richest in fat you can >20% is best)
Zest from 1 lime
~¼” inch of fresh ginger root, slice thinly then minced finely
Juice of two limes
~1/2 cup sugar
~1/2 cup coconut flakes
2-3 oz. of rum
Blend the sugar, ginger and the cream together in a blender. I generally add sugar a little at a time until it is as sweet as I want it by taste. Then I add the zest. Then add the juice and rum. Re-taste: you do want it sweet (the cold reduces sweetness) but you do not want to lose the tartness. Lastly the coconut flakes. Freeze in an ice cream maker.
I learned a few things:
- You have to plan ahead. The ice cream maker is supposed to be frozen BEFORE making your ice cream.
- The ice cream maker doesn't take it all the way to ready to eat. You'll need to put it in a container, cover it with plastic wrap inside the container, and freeze it for a few hours to get it to the right consistency.
- I want more of his sorbet recipes. He is doing something with peaches and amaretto tonight...
- He was right. This has to be better than blind Christine's.
