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Every week one of the chefs from Harmons Grocery Stores will be answering your toughest culinary questions. No question is too big or too small and each week we'll award a pair of Harmons cooking school passes to one lucky viewer whose question is selected. Email your questions to askachef@harmonsgrocery.co m.
This week's question comes from Michelle:
I'd like to try my hand at making homemade ice cream, but I don't know where to start. Can you share your tips and tricks of the trade?
Your question comes at the perfect time Michelle, because July is National Ice Cream month! There is no better way to beat the July heat than to make an indulgent homemade ice cream or sorbet.
Making ice cream can be intimidating for a lot of people, but this recipe for Ice Cream Base is straight forward and will give you the perfect vessel for your favorite mix-ins and flavors:
Ice Cream BaseIngredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 5 large egg yolks
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup sugar Directions
1. In large saucepan heat cream, milk, half the sugar over medium high heat.
2. Split vanilla bean down the middle and lightly scrape.
3. Bring mixture to a scald, and remove from heat.
4. In large mixing bowl combine egg yolks.
5. Begin whisking while slowly adding sugar.
6. Whisk until fluffy and pale yellow. (Hand mixer may be used.)
7. Slowly begin to temper in heated cream mixture.
8. Add about half then return entire mixture to saucepan.
9. Return to heat.
10. Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a thick custard constancy. Be careful not to boil, eggs will separate.
11. Pour custard through a strainer.
12. Place bowl in ice bath quickly cooling mixture.
13. Allow mixture to cool 1 hour - 24 hours.
14. Place base into cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions.
Once you have your ice cream base, your mix-in options are endless. From fruit and candy to chunks of cookie and cheesecake, use your creativity and have fun customizing your ice cream. You can also try one of my favorite flavors:
What culinary questions do you have? Let us know! Email our Harmons chefs at askachef@harmonsgrocery.com
Ginger, Banana, Coconut Ice CreamIngredients
- 2-3 teaspoons fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 3 bananas, slightly frozen
- 2 cans coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions
1. Combine all ingredients except coconut milk in blender.
2. Puree slowly pouring in coconut milk.
3. Place in ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions.
Another refreshing option is to make a fruit sorbet. It is lower fat than ice cream, but still a lot of fun to make (and eat!). To get started you need to make a base:
Sorbet Base Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup corn syrup
- 4 cups sugar Directions
1. In large saucepan, combine ingredients.
2. Over medium-high heat, bring mixture to a boil.
3. Wash down the sides of saucepan with pastry brush.
4. Boil for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
6. Store at room temperature until ready to use.
After you have your sorbet base, you can create delicious flavors with fresh fruit. One of my favorites is using fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or a mixture of your favorite):
Berry Mania Sorbet Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh berries, approximately 1- 1 and 1/2 lbs.
- 1/3-1/2 cup water
- 1 and 1/4 cup simple syrup Directions
1. Puree berries and water together until smooth.
2. Strain through fine sieve. You should have about 2 cups of puree.
3. Combine puree with simple syrup.
4. Chill completely.
5. Add mixture to ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions.
6. Serve or Freeze immediately until hardened.
If you want to learn more tips about how to make frozen treats like the pros, sign up for a cooking class at Harmons. In July and August we have several "Gourmet Youth" cooking classes for kids, and a several classes for adults - including classes all about ice cream and sorbets! View our complete schedule and sign up for a class today at HarmonsGrocery.com.
Check out our other Ask a Chef articles for great tips and recipes to make your Summer Sizzle.
