Sunday, July 15, 2012

Savouring: Tayberry Semifreddo


This week, after leaving our broken van in Hope and finally getting home from the Okanagan, we loaded up on the last of the u-pick strawberries, and also picked up flats of raspberries and tayberries. Tayberries are my favourite! A raspberry-blackberry cross, they are lovely and floral. They make a delicious jam with honey, so I froze some to do that when I have more time on my hands (after my sister's wedding!). Shea, however, knew exactly what he wanted with the berries - semifreddo! A family favourite for sure. I love the mousse-like texture of semifreddo. Easier than ice cream (at least you don't need a special machine), and hey, lower in fat, if you care about such things. So after making strawberry-rhubarb sorbet to use up the fast-approaching-death strawberries, semifreddo it was. Oh I love summer berry desserts!

Tayberry Semifreddo

3 cups tayberries (or raspberries, blackberries, or a combination)
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
pinch of salt
3 large egg whites
1 cup whipping cream

Line a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan with 2 sheets of plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides so you can remove the semifreddo easily.

Pulse berries in a food processor until broken up, them push through a strainer to get as much pulp/juice as possible. Set aside.

Bring sugar and water to boil in a small saucepan over high heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Beat egg whites in an electric mixer until foamy. With speed at medium-high, slowly, and carefully add hot sugar syrup, avoiding the beaters! Beat 8-10 minutes, until egg whites are cooled to room temperature. 

Beat cream until stiff. Fold berry puree into egg white mixture until almost blended, then fold in whipped cream.

Fill loaf pan, spreading the mixture into the corners. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.

I usually have a bit of mix left over, which a put into some little dessert glasses. Jay and I enjoy them after the kids go to bed (shhhh!) Let's call it a taste test!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Flying!: Okanagan Lake


We spent the weekend at Sarah and Padra's in Kelowna. At one point on Sunday afternoon, their neighbour arrived in his helicopter. The kids have seen this before and thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Even cooler, though? This time, unbeknownst to them, he was touching down in order to take them up!



All the kids wanted a turn, even the smallest ones! That's six kids altogether. So sweet neighbour John took us up in 3 trips! An adult and two kids each. They were stunned.





Riding up front. She looks like a pro!


I love all the lines.


I didn't get a shot of it, but I was amazed at the amount of backyard pools in Kelowna! I guess it's the Vancouverite in me. I felt like I was flying over LA!


View of the dock, coming back home...


He won't forget this!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Gardening: Beginning of July


Boxes are filling in. These are taken from my porch because it's wet. Lots of rain and cool days lately.


The tayberry row looks so spindly, but it is loaded with berries. Can't wait!


Garlic scopes need to be harvested. Beans are starting to sprout around the bean poles, and the lettuce is beautiful, and delicious!