Exotic Pear and Lime Sorbet

Pears are at their best in the fall, but here in southern California the autumn months can be sweltering. This pear sorbet is the perfect refreshing dessert for a warm evening. Juicy pear flavors are enhanced by aromatic citrus and a hint of warmth from ginger. If you can find kaffir limes the intense, almost floral complexity of their zest makes this sorbet extra special.

Ingredients

3 ripe pears
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup water
3/4-inch cube of ginger
Zest of 1/2 kaffir lime if available, or zest of 1 regular lime
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier

Preparation

1. Put the sugar and water in a saucepan and boil at medium heat until the mixture begins to thicken into a syrup. Remove from heat and chill.
2. Core and coarsely chop the pears.
3. Peel and coarsely chop the ginger.
4. Puree the pears and ginger together in a food processor until liquified.
5. Stir pear and ginger puree together with the sugar syrup, Grand Marnier, and lime zest until well combined.
6. Freeze the sorbet according to the instructions for your ice cream maker.