Our routine stop last night at the Gelato shop on the corner of our Airbnb here in Florence sparked some delicious and exciting dinner ideas to share with you today.
Many years ago, I studied with a French chef named Marie, whom you’ll meet in my upcoming book. One day, Marie served me an open-faced crêpe with smoked salmon on top and a small dollop of lemon sorbet.
I remember thinking this was a most unusual combination. That afternoon, while grocery shopping for this dish, we had gone to two stores just to find the lemon sorbet. At the time, I thought I must have misunderstood her French. But then the crêpe appeared before me as a first course that evening— and it was divine!
I wish I had a photo of Marie’s dish, but it was similar to this open-face crêpe topped with smoked salmon— and hers had a dollop of lemon sorbet.
Last night at our local gelateria, I ordered lemon and sage sorbet, and the delicious memory of Marie’s dish came back to me—along with exciting dinner ideas for you. Here are some suggestions for adding a little lemon sorbet to your list.
Why not try Marie’s creation—a crêpe topped with smoked salmon and just a touch of lemon sorbet? About two scant tablespoons is perfect; it’s meant to be a garnish, not a full scoop.
Or how about serving a small bit of lemon sorbet in between courses, just like they do in fancy restaurants? This custom is meant to cleanse the palate and prepare for the new flavors in the next course. Imagine how fun this would be to do for a family dinner on the weekend just as an experience and to teach children something about fine dining. And who would object to a little sorbet in the middle of dinner?
Last summer, in Bélaye, France, I had roasted tomato soup served with a small dollop of basil sorbet. It was fabulous! You could use this idea and add some freshly chopped sage, basil, or mint to lemon sorbet and try some on a crêpe, chilled tomato soup or one of your favorite dishes. You'll create quite a delightful experience!
The combination of lemon and sage is aromatic and fresh, and a pairing you can translate into many other dishes such as lemon and sage chicken or risotto — just one new ingredient or combination creates a different and exciting experience at your table...without needing an entirely new recipe!
