Leo
This exuberant sunny sign is at its best in the heat of the summer. Leonine ingredients include citrus such as lemon and orange, apples, peaches, dates and raisins, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, sunflower seeds, cloves, cinnamon and mint. As a fire sign, they will love BBQ season: grilled meats, salads, cheeses you can fling on the grill such as halloumi and cheese in general.
Leos are hospitable: everyone is welcome, come on in, family, children, pets, extra guests. They will love a ‘tablescape’; think Versace in terms of style, huge bouquets of sunflowers, golden platters, yellow tablecloths and napkins. As hosts, they like a commanding centrepiece, as long as it doesn’t detract attention from them and due appreciation is shown to their entertaining skills.
Italy is a Leo country: a place where style, big gestures and exaggeration is rife. So is pride and history. So, it makes sense to choose an Italian recipe for Leo.
Lemon Sorbet Served Trattoria Style
Choose large Italian Amalfi type lemons if you can get hold of them. Kids love this. They should be made ahead of being served and kept in the freezer. You can also make it with oranges.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 large lemons or oranges
- 150 g caster sugar
- 1 zest of unwaxed lemon or orange
- 1 egg white, whisked until stiff
Instructions
- Cut off the end of the lemon or orange, to make a ‘hat’ and trim the bottom so that it will stand up on a flat surface. Scoop out the flesh with a sharp knife or serrated grapefruit spoon and strain so that you have juice. Put the fruit shells in the freezer.
- Using a small saucepan containing 150ml of water, add the sugar and the zest. Heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the strained lemon/orange juice. Let it cool then freeze in a plastic container.
- Once frozen, remove from the container and blend it with the egg white. Freeze again until firm.
- Scoop the sorbet into the empty shells, packing it in well and letting it bulge out the top. Add the ‘hat’ then freeze again until you serve.
