Alphonso Mango in Madisono's Sorbet

Why do we use Alphonso Mangoes in our Madisono's Mango Sorbet? Alphonso mangoes are imported from India and are something of a national obsession. They deliver the sweetest, richest mango flavor to our sorbet and help us deliver delicious flavor to you. Now, how about a smoothie? ;o)

Chocolate Malt Gelato at the Xavier University Music Series this Sunday

We are enjoying our partnership with Xavier University for their 2013-2014 Music Series and the opportunities to enjoy some custom flavors made only for these performances.

This Sunday's performance is with the Blue Wisp Band and we were inspired to create Chocolate Malt gelato using malt extract from the local Listermann Brewery. Creative expressions of music and creative expressions of gelato, right here in Cincinnati, Ohio!

Lemon Cream Cheese Croissants with Madisono's Honey Lavender Gelato

It may be -4 degrees outside in Cincinnati, but the Madisono's Gelato world is far from frigid. We thought a little citrus might be just the thing to remind us that spring will arrive, eventually.

Here is a delicious recipe from The Grand Surprise! for Lemon Cream Cheese Croissants. Doesn't it look delicious? How about a few for a luncheon or Sunday brunch with a dainty scoop of deliciously floral Madisono's Honey Lavender Gelato on the side? I'm feeling warmer already...

Soft Chocolate Cake paired with Madisono's Gelato

Photo from Jean Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four Star Chef

Looking for some simple but delicious desserts to serve your special dinner guests? Warm, soft, chocolate cake is a delicious, now classic, dessert created by Jean Georges Vongerichten and printed in his cookbook Jean Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four Star Chef. Pair it with some Madisono's Peppermint Stick or Salted Caramel gelato and you've hit the sweet spot for dessert.

You can prepare these and refrigerate several hours before and cook at the last minute since they have a short baking time.

WARM, SOFT CHOCOLATE CAKE
1/2 Cup (1 stick) butter, plus some for buttering molds
4 ounces bitter or semi-sweet chocolate
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 Cup sugar
2 tsp flour plus more for dusting

In a double boiler over simmering water, melt butter an chocolate together. While that's heating, beat together eggs, yolks and sugar with the whisk attachment for the mixeruntil light in color and thick. Slowly stir in warm chocolate mixture into egg mixture. Quickly beat in flour until just combined. Butter and lightly flour four 4 oz molds, custard cups or ramekins. Tap out excess flour, then butter and flour them again. Divide the batter among the molds. Desserts can be covered and refrigerated at this point for several hours. Bring them back to room temperature before baking. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Bake molds on a tray for 6 to seven minutes. Center will be soft but sides should show clean when a toothpick or knife inserted comes out clean. Place a dessert plate on toop of the mold and turn both plate and mold over to invert. Let mold set for 10 seconds and lift off plate. Cake will slump on the plate. Place a scoop of gelato on the side and serve immediately.

A little bit about Lemon Basil Sorbet

Fresh basil leaves, lemon rind and icy tart flavors are what make this sorbet flavor taste frigging good. But what makes it even better, is that it is so beloved by those who have certian dietary restrictions. It's vegan. And it is gluten free. And nut free. And egg free. And alcohol free. Free to share with all your friends this holiday. Give simply. Share abundantly.

Madisono's at Memorial Hall

One of Cincinnati's many historical gems is Memorial Hall, Over-The-Rhine Cincinnati. We've enjoyed going to the Music Now Festival for the past several years, which takes place there. It's a beautiful building with all the details of fine craftsmanship that are tough to find these days.

Madisono's is very, very pleased to partner with Memorial Hall as a preferred vendor. We are stoked to bring our creative expressions of gelato to the music events (MadMen themed gelato? Oh yes.) and also to bring fun and flavor to the weddings and parties that will be booking in 2014.

A special fundraiser for the Evan's Family

A few weeks ago, I (Matt Madison) was coming home from the pool after a quick evening swim and happened to become part of a tragic event in Cincinnati. The owner of the Cosmic Pizza restaurant had been shot and was lying in the neighbor's yard. My wife had been the first to drive by and was frantically speaking to the 911 operator to get help. I went to Rich Evan's side and knelt down next to him and grabbed his hand. I encouraged him to hang on until help came and prayed for him but within a few minutes, he had died. I've never had the privilege of accompanying someone as they took their last breaths of life, but I can tell you that it is something I will never forget.

As the evening played out, I saw the entirety of the tragedy. Rich, who I'd just spoken with that week, had left behind a wife who speaks little English and three bright young children. He'd taken care of their every need up until the moment of his passing, and now they were left with no family to help them through the next awful steps of their life. Since then, we've been tightly involved with Ao (his wife) and her children and have seen an incredible outpouring of support. Friends have stopped by every day to check on them, make phone calls, sort through bills, and more. So many have donated money to the website so that the family can make it through the next months without financial worries and it is incredible to see such loving generosity. I feel especially close to this tragedy, not only because I was there the night Rich died, but because I am an entrepreneur who wants to support his growing family with my products and hard work. I feel like I can't do enough to help them out. I know many of you feel the same way.

This Sunday, we will be selling cups of Madisono's gelato in front of Madison's Market at Findlay Market. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Evans family. We thank you for the support you have already shown, and hope you will enjoy a cup of gelato knowing that it will continue to help a family in great need.