I’d picked up a big bag of fresh cherries at the grocery store last week. They were so sweet and delicious fresh out of the bag but at the first bite I immediately started dreaming about a creamy, tangy frozen dessert. This stuff is the perfect blend of tangy yogurt, sweet cherries and chunks of rich, super-dark chocolate. Yum!
Before we get to the recipe, thought I’d share a recent photo of my great big belly. If you’re friends with me on Facebook, you’ve probably already seen this, but if not, figured you’d get a kick out of my roundness. I’m starting to feel some “practice contractions” this week and my mother is absolutely convinced I’m going to go early, so by my next post, you might be getting a glimpse of Baby A. While I’m intensely excited I’m also pretty intimidated. Do you SEE that car seat?? I’ve counted no less than TWELVE warning labels on that thing. Is it made out of plutonium???
Being completely honest, I don’t think I’ve changed a diaper since high school babysitting jobs. Now I’m going to have my very own little person to take care of 24/7. But with family coming to stay with us and JiT taking a couple weeks of paternity time it will be a group effort for the first few weeks at least. That car seat still scares me though.
But if I can make my own ice cream, I guess I can figure out parenthood, right? With that…on to the recipe:
Fresh Cherry & Dark Chocolate Chunk Frozen Yogurt
Makes 1 quart
3 cups fresh, pitted cherries
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup cream or half & half
1 1/2 cups lowfat greek yogurt
1/2 bar of fine quality dark chocolate (I used a bar of Ghirardelli Twilight), roughly chopped into chunks
Place cherries, sugar and lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat and simmer until sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. Once sugar has dissolved completely, remove mixture from heat and allow to cool.
Place mixture in a blender and add cream and yogurt. Pulse until well blended and the mixture reaches your desired consistency (depending on if you want chunks of cherries or a smoother consistency). Chill in the refrigerator for several hours.
Place in your ice cream maker and churn based on manufacturer instructions. As soon as the mixture begins to become firm, add the chocolate chunks for even distribution throughout the yogurt. Mixture should reach proper consistency after about 25 minutes.
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Aww your baby bump is so cute! And the fro yo sounds awesome… I made a similar ice cream a couple weeks ago- basically cherry garcia from Ben & Jerry's. So good!!Sues
Aww your baby bump is so cute! And the fro yo sounds awesome… I made a similar ice cream a couple weeks ago- basically cherry garcia from Ben & Jerry's. So good!!Sues
I get so hungry reading this blog. I give my favorite of your recipes to my gourmet cook husband, who makes them for me. Though I may be the one making this cherry-chocolate yogurt this week. Loved the baby bump picture and will stay tuned to hear when the little one arrives. Soon you will be doing baby food recipes for your lucky child. Katharine (and Fred)
I get so hungry reading this blog. I give my favorite of your recipes to my gourmet cook husband, who makes them for me. Though I may be the one making this cherry-chocolate yogurt this week. Loved the baby bump picture and will stay tuned to hear when the little one arrives. Soon you will be doing baby food recipes for your lucky child. Katharine (and Fred)