What about Italian lemonade? First, a bit of clarification. In Chicago, we have a high caloric delicacy called Italian Beef. In Chicago, there are Italian beef stands that sell wonderful sandwiches of very thin sliced beef which has been marinating in spicy beef gravy. The gravy is integral to the sandwich. One option when ordering is whether you want the bun ‘dipped’ in the gravy or not. Most folks think it tastes better dipped. It’s just a little sloppier to handle and eat.
Although these are called Italian beef sandwiches they are only sold in Chicago. Perhaps they should be called Chicago Italian beef sandwiches. Or, maybe Chicago beef sandwiches. It just so happens that they are sold at Italian beef stands.
Anyway, oftentimes, very near the Italian beef stands there is an Italian lemonade stand. As a Chicagoan, I am very familiar with them. However, I don’t know if they exist outside Chicago. Italian lemonade is a soft sherbet-like treat that is slightly more firm than slush, far less firm than frozen sherbet or ice cream.
I saw the recipe for lemon ice in the Vita-Mix cookbook for my old Model 5000 machine and tried it. I was very excited to think that I might be able to duplicate the lemonade that I had loved as a child from Italian lemonade stands here.
Here is the recipe from Vita-Mix:
3/4 cup (180 ml) water
1 lemon, peeled, quartered, seeded
1 teaspoon lemon peel
1/4 cup (50 g) sugar or other sweetener, to taste
2 cups (480 ml) ice cubes
1. Place all ingredients into the Vita-Mix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Use the tamper to press ingredients into the blades.
5. In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form.
6. Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.
Nutrition facts for 1/2 cup serving: 35 calories, No fat or cholesterol. 1 mg sodium, 9 grams of carbohydrate, no fiber or protein.
Bottom line on the taste: Super! Just like the Italian lemonade stands. This is an awesome hot weather low calorie treat. It tastes fantastic right out of the Vita-Mix machine. If you make more than you want to eat you can freeze it to eat later. Is that a Mr. Lazy Cook dream recipe, or what?
In case it isn’t obvious, I am thoroughly enjoying my new Vita-Mix machine.
Tony
Other Vita Mix recipe posts include:
How to Vita Mix a Low Cal Copy of the Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine,
Vita Mix – Drinking a Watermelon
Vita Mix – Hot Chicken Soup
Vita Mix – Another Green Smoothie
A St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie – Vita-Mix
Vita-Mix – Cold Peach Summer Smoothie
Vita-Mix – Cold Green Soup
Vita-Mix – Green Smoothies
Vita-Mix – Watermelon Sorbet Recipe
Vita-Mix – Garden Fresh Cocktail
Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 