Strawberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, blueberries _ the confluence of summer fruit seasons creates one of the most magical culinary moments of the year.
Here we've given them a stage worthy of their glory: as magical toppings for ice cream, that other summer star. With complementary flavors _ chocolate for cherries, ginger and cardamom with apricots _ and techniques borrowed from many disciplines _ a shrub, a chutney, a compote _ the gems of orchards and berry patches take on savory elements to transform into something even better, if that's possible. It is.
Each recipe is simple enough to throw together for a last-minute party dessert and can be made with ingredients on hand. Serve over vanilla ice cream, or experiment with other flavor pairings. Break them out all summer long, while the harvest lasts.
