What should I serve for dessert tonight, to follow pizza at an impromptu dinner party . . . our usual toppings are arugula, caramelized onions, artichoke hearts, duxelles, salumi of various sorts, prosciutto, mozzarella, sauteed veggies, etc. And I'll probably make at least one cheese-less pizza featuring Merrill's saag, minus the paneer. (All will be "white" pizzas, i.e., no tomato sauce.) Your ideas?? Thank you! ;o)

AntoniaJames
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10 Comments

AntoniaJames January 17, 2011
Thanks so much, PicklePals. Well, not surprisingly, I had a bit less time than expected. I ended up having my co-chef (18 year old son who is brilliant in the kitchen, especially during the two hours before any dinner party is to begin) run out for "some nice sorbets and maybe something chocolate." He returned with a raspberry sorbet, a peach sorbet and a medium chocolate ice cream. Meanwhile, I discovered a bit of well-wrapped "St Clements Orange and Lemon Cookie" dough (my own recipe, posted here on food52) from my last holiday baking day, of which I had just enough for two small cookies per person. They were perfect. I rolled them into balls, dipped into white sugar and flattened with a bowl that has a pretty design on the bottom. The small, citrus-y bites went well with the sorbets and chocolate. Thanks again, everyone! ;o)
 
bella S. January 15, 2011
Yeap, I too would like gelato or sorbet. I often buy very, very thin wafer cookies and stick a couple of them into the scoops of gelato/sorbet. It is a very refreshing, light dessert.
 
amysarah January 15, 2011
I'd just pick up some good gelato and sorbet (Ciao Bella, or whatever you have locally) - a couple of flavors that work well together - and serve it with some simple biscotti or amaretti...also store bought, if you have a good source nearby. (Personally, I'm a sucker for coconut sorbet with dark chocolate gelato.)
 
Nora January 15, 2011
I like the dried fruit and nuts idea. Poach some dried apricots with some vanilla bean added and sprinkle with toasted nuts?
 
Sadassa_Ulna January 15, 2011
Just to mix things up, I would diverge from additional wheat and dairy at dessert time. A baked fruit crumble with oat/nut topping? Coconut-based ice "cream" with sorbet? Chocolate dipped fruit? Mmmmm getting hungry, your pizzas sound fantastic!
 
healthierkitchen January 15, 2011
Haven't tasted it yet, but I made amousebouche's Almond Orange Flower Water Cake today for a dinner tonight. That might be light and citrusy if you have time.
http://www.food52.com/recipes/4362_almond_cake_with_orangeflower_water_syrup
 
Raquelita January 15, 2011
I think a fruit and nut dessert is nice following a meal with a lot of bread and cheese. You could easily throw together some chocolate-dipped nuts and dried fruits if you have those ingredients on hand, and serve everything on a beautifully arranged platter with some crumbly cookies to encourage a casual and communal dessert.
 
iuzzini January 15, 2011
Affogato! Prepare some ice cream in small bowls and serve each one w a shot of espresso to be poured over it. Delish.
 
Queen O. January 15, 2011
Mmmm. Sounds great! Not sure if I have any logic for it other than I'm loving the tart-sweet tangerines that are out now. But what about a tangerine granita?
 
lifestooshort January 15, 2011
What about balsamic strawberries? Won't work if you're a dedicated locavore, but strawberries seem to among the only nice-looking fruit in our markets at the moment, up here in the chilly north. I can't vouch for this recipe but I've been wanting to try it for awhile:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Balsamic-Strawberries-with-Whipped-Mascarpone-Cheese-105321
 
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