I have so much to write about! First, there’s the MS Coast the Coast ride I did a few weeks ago, then there’s my review for In Cold Blood and now, this, a strawberry gelato I made yesterday. Since here in NJ we’re in the midst of strawberry season, I figured I’d start with this.
Having received 2 quarts of strawberries as part of my half-share from my CSA at VonThun Farms, besides generally snacking with them I knew I wanted to make some strawberry ice cream. Surprisingly though there was no recipe in The Perfect Scoop that appealed nor could I find anything that totally interested me on the web, then I remembered my favorite dessert book, Dolce Italiano and behold, there was a recipe for Strawberry Gelato!
Ingredients
3/4C sugar (divided)
1C heavy cream
1C milk
1 vanilla bean
6 egg yolks
1/2 pound cleaned strawberries (stems removed)
Directions
I’m assuming you have a basic understanding of making ice cream. If not, get that perfect scoop book to get a good handle on it and some tips. So here you’ll make the custard by mixing the milk and the cream and 1/2C of sugar in a heavy pot. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the beans into the pot. Cook over medium heat.
Meanwhile, mix the egg yolks and 1T of sugar in a bowl. When the cream mixture just comes to a boil, turn off the heat and slowly add it to the egg mixture while whisking the egg mixture vigorously.
Next, return the mixture to the pot and rewarm, stirring, just until the mixture coats the back of a spoon (i.e., if you drag your finger through it and the path remains, it’s ready).
Pour the custard through a fine sieve into a large bowl set in an ice bath. Let it cool and then store in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
When you are ready to mix the ice cream, put the strawberries with the remaining 3T sugar in a food processor or blender, and pulse a few times, so chunks still remain (i.e., don’t puree). Mix the strawberries into the custard and then put into your ice cream maker following manufacturer instructions.
Strawberry gelato (apologies for picture quality – it’s my iPhone)
Voila!
Really delicious – my daughter says she likes it because it’s so creamy, more than strawberry ice cream but like strawberries and cream ice cream. It’s so rich that one perfect scoop will do!