MasterChef’s Huda serves ice cream with flavours of the Middle East
MasterChef’s Huda Al Sultan is serving up desserts full of the exotic flavours and aromas of the Middle East
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Ice cream stalls are dominated by vanilla for dad, rum and raisin for mum, and rainbow for the kids – so launching sage and pomegranate ice cream isn’t a decision taken lightly.
Huda Al Sultan, former MasterChef contestant and owner of Sassi ice cream, had her doubts, too.
“It was actually the flavour I was most worried about,” Ms Al Sultan, who grew up in Saudi Arabia, said.
“In our culture, we have lots of herbal teas, and one is sage tea. So I thought it’s maybe something new for people here, to have this flavour as a dessert. I said ‘I’ll just give it a go. I’ll just give it a go and we’ll try it’.
“I’ve been so surprised. Everywhere I go, people ask for my sage and pomegranate – and even when Matt Preston came here to Adelaide he loved sage and pomegranate. He said, ‘Why didn’t you make this on MasterChef?’”
Sage and pomegranate is now Mrs Al Sultan’s bestseller. She’s making ice cream that she loves and finding a market for it. Sassi ice cream comes in seven flavours, it’s vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free – made with a coconut cream that has a mild coconut taste so that it is not overpowering.
“We don’t use any additive or artificial flavours or colours – we rely on the spices and nuts to bring out the flavour,” Mrs Al Sultan said.
“I look at Sassi as more than an ice cream – it’s a dessert that is full of exotic flavours and the aroma of the Middle East. I’d really love to see Sassi in the hands of people who are looking for an experience of food.
The important job of ice cream taste-testing is done by three-year-old daughter Sidra, nicknamed Sassi, an affectionate name that implies being spoiled.
“Then my eldest daughter said ‘Sassy is an English word, Mum’. So I learned it means cheeky stylish and modern,” Huda said
Huda and husband Adam have joined Food SA and SA Leaders.
“They have both offered us huge support, from mentoring to connections to advice. They’ve given us inspiration and broad visions, as well – it’s great to receive this kind of support,” she said.
Sassi has a pop-up stall in the Adelaide Central Market this month and across summer, will appear at the Semaphore Music Festival; Adelaide Vegan Festival, Rundle Park; Bowerbird; Hahndorf Christmas Market and the New Year’s Eve celebration at Elder Park, sassiicecream.com.au