Showing posts with label Ice Cream. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ice Cream. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

OMG - This is an ice cream to die for.  It is soo good not because of the chocolate or the chocolate chips which I am not overly fond of [I can see a lot of people looking at me like I'm crazy] but for the cookie dough.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough


The Cookie dough is so tasty and can be used in various desserts.  There is a whole book dedicated to this - The Cookie Dough Lover's Cookbook - which is latest acquisition.  It uses a cookie dough mix in just about everything.  Am itching to trying all the recipes and sharing them to :)

The Traditional cookie dough ice cream is a vanilla based one but with the craze for chocolate and all things chocolaty at my home [is there a word such as that ?] I decided to go with a chocolate custard.  After hunting down - I spend too much time on the net - various recipes the one I bookmarked to try was from 

It came out splendidly.  If you are a chocolate fan this one is for you -

INGREDIENTS:

For the Chocolate Ice Cream:
225 gms semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
350 gms heavy cream
365 gms whole milk
150 gms granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
4 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:
115 gms unsalted butter, at room temperature
110 gms light brown sugar
50 gms granulated sugar
30 gms  heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
105 gms all-purpose flour
½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the Ice Cream Custard: Combine the chocolate and cream in a large, heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted, then remove the bowl from the saucepan. Set it aside with a mesh strainer over the top.
2. Warm the milk, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
3. Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spatula (it should reach 170-175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer). Pour the custard through the strainer into the chocolate mixture and stir in the vanilla extract. Place the bowl in an ice bath and stir occasionally until the mixture has cooled to room temperature. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Make the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough: Combine the butter and both sugars in a mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream, vanilla and salt, and mix for another minute or so, until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Using a rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days.
5. Churn the Ice Cream: Just before churning the ice cream, scoop the cookie dough into ½-teaspoon to 1 teaspoon-sized balls and place on a plate or parchment-lined baking sheet and place in the freezer. Churn the ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions. When finished churning, fold in the chunks of cookie dough and transfer to an airtight container. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
Note: If you prefer a vanilla ice cream base for your chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, just use the same method as outlined above, substituting the chocolate.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Peach Ice Cream




Sometime back, going through the various items and gadgets I have accumulated over the years, I found a small ice cream churner, hidden away in one of the cupboards.  


This had been given to me by a friend - it belonged to her and am not sure if she ever used it.  Its a small little machine that goes into the freezer and the wire is allowed to hang out from the door.  So I decided to use it and see how it goes.

My first experiment with ice cream - a plain vanilla - was an extremely pleasant surprise.  The ice cream was tasty and flavourful.  And my kids enjoyed it which gave me the push to make more variations.  However, the ice cream had too many ice crystals so I sat and devoted an entire week to various sites on the internet giving details on how to make ice creams and how to get them right.

After narrowing down what I read the best tips & instructions found were on 

Since then I have tried lots of various ice creams, which will be posted at different times.  I have successfully made

1.  Vanilla ice cream
2.  Cherry ice cream
3.  Chunky Monkey
4.  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream - my absolute favourite
5.  Cookies and Cream


The Peach Ice Cream came about when I found Peaches lying in the refrigerator.  I have difficult children who will not eat any fruit except Mangoes, straight out.  I love peaches, their beautiful colour and taste.  So this is my version of Peach Ice cream



INGREDIENTS:


  • 5 egg yolks
  • 113 gms granulated sugar, divided 
  • 420 ml heavy cream
  • 180 ml whole milk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped Peaches + 2 tbsp sugar + juice of 1 lemon


DIRECTIONS:


  • In a large bowl mix together peaches, 2  tbsp sugar, lemon juice and the vanilla essence.  Let this sit for half an hour or till sugar dissolves.  Keep aside 1/2 cup and using a blender mix balance to a rough mash.  Keep in the fridge to chill

  • Whisk together the egg yolks and ¼ cup of the sugar in a large bowl; set aside.

  • Heat the remaining sugar, cream, milk and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Do not let it boil,  When the mixture begins to simmer, remove from heat & slowly drizzle it into the egg yolk mixture.  Keep Whisking constantly.  Pour this mix back into the saucepan.

  • Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. 

  • Strain the custard and place the bowl in an ice bath and stir occasionally, until the mixture reaches room temperature. 

  • Cover the bowl and place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill at least 2 hours.  Add in the chilled peach mash

  • Churn the ice cream in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once the ice cream is ready, mix in the chopped peaches and freeze for a further 4-6 hours for the best flavour to develop

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Each year Father's Day would come and go and I would start my morning with a call from my Dad who would not wait for me to call and wish him.  He loved reminding me to wish him :)
Dad & me - some million years ago :)
This year there was that feeling of emptiness - Dad went to his maker early this year.  How I miss him but am sure that he is enjoying life wherever he is.

This Father's day was spent with my Father in Law whose Birthday was the same day.  However, in memory of Dad and his love for food - the kids, MD and I celebrated Father's Day Eve in honour of Dad.

Here are some of his favourite things.

Peach Ice Cream


Alfanso Mangoes


Roast Chicken & Vegetables