Rhubarb Float With Buttermilk Sorbet Food

POACHED RHUBARB

Steps:

• Stir together sugar and 1 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Add vanilla bean and seeds, lemon zest and juice, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add rhubarb. Reduce heat; partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rhubarb is just tender and beginning to break down, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer rhubarb to a bowl. Let rhubarb and poaching liquid cool completely. Remove vanilla bean from poaching liquid and discard.

BUTTERMILK SORBET FOR RHUBARB FLOAT

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Stir together sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour into a metal bowl set over ice-water bath. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• Whisk in buttermilk, cream, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla seeds (reserve vanilla bean for another use). Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container; freeze at least 1 hour (up to 3 days) before serving.

RHUBARB & STAR ANISE SORBET

Steps:

• Put the rhubarb in a saucepan and add the sugar, 75ml water and the liquid glucose. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod and add to the pan (with the pod) along with the star anise.
• Place over a medium-high heat and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat slightly and cook for 15 mins until the sugar has dissolved and the fruit is soft and starting to break down. Remove from the heat and fish out the vanilla pod and star anise. Purée in a blender.
• Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer, removing any remaining stringy bits of rhubarb. Transfer to a jug and stir in the lemon juice and vodka, if using. Cover and put in the fridge until fully chilled before churning in an ice cream machine, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Scrape the sorbet into an airtight container and freeze for at least 3 hrs before serving. Will keep, frozen, for up to 1 month.

RHUBARB SORBET

Steps:

• Combine sugar, water and lemon juice in heavy large saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Add rhubarb. Simmer until rhubarb is tender , about 10 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor and puree until smooth. Stir in corn syrup. Refrigerate mixture until cold, about 1 hour.
• Transfer rhubarb mixture to ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)

SIMPLE SYRUP FOR SORBET

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath. In a large saucepan, combine sugar and 4 cups of water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until sugar has completely dissolved, about 10 minutes. Transfer syrup to a bowl, and set bowl over ice bath. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled. Store syrup, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 2 months.