Basil Gelato Recipes

BASIL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Bring milk, basil, 1/4 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Transfer to a blender (reserve saucepan) and blend until basil is finely ground, about 1 minute.
• Beat together yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 1 minute. Add milk mixture in a stream, beating until combined well. Pour mixture into reserved saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture coats back of spoon and registers 175°F on thermometer (do not let boil). Immediately remove from heat and pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a metal bowl. Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice water and stir until cold, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in cream and freeze in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours.

PEACH AND BASIL GELATO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, add the peach slices, sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or until peaches are very tender. Stir in the lemon juice and basil leaves.
• Puree to a fine consistency using a stand or immersion blender. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until the puree is cool, at least 2 hours. The puree can be prepared up to a day in advance.
• Pour whipping cream, vanilla extract and 310 mL (1 1/4 cups) of the milk into a saucepan. Warm over medium heat until just bubbling around the edges (no need to bring it to a boil).
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining milk (250 mL/1 cup), the sugar and the cornstarch. Remove the saucepan with the hot milk and cream mixture from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Return the saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring regularly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Place the egg yolk in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until it is pale and slightly thickened, about 30 seconds. Slowly pour one ladleful of the hot milk mixture into the yolk, whisking constantly, then slowly pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking to combine. Stir in the peach liqueur, if using. Remove from heat. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until the custard is cool, a few hours to overnight.
• Whisk the peach puree into the custard, then strain the custard for a silky consistency. Pour into the bowl of an ice cream maker and freeze per the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about two hours.
• Always take the gelato out to warm at room temperature 10 to 15 minutes before serving to make it easier to scoop and achieve the perfect texture.

TOMATO, BASIL, AND RICOTTA GELATI

Steps:

• For tomato gelato:
• Puree tomatoes in processor until smooth. Strain through fine sieve, pressing on solids to release enough tomato puree to measure 2 cups. Discard any remaining puree and solids in strainer. Add 1 cup chilled Simple Syrup and pinch of coarse kosher salt to strained tomato puree; stir to blend.
• Transfer tomato mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For basil gelato:
• Bring 1 1/2 cups Simple Syrup to simmer in small saucepan. Remove from heat; add 3 cups basil leaves to syrup and stir until wilted. Transfer basil mixture to bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. Puree basil mixture and 6 tablespoons water in blender until smooth.
• Transfer basil mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For ricotta gelato:
• Combine ricotta cheese and milk in processor; puree until smooth. Add 3/4 cup Simple Syrup and process until blended and smooth.
• Transfer ricotta mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For garnish:
• Stir 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until color is medium amber (not deep amber), occasionally brushing down sides of pan with pastry brush dipped in water and swirling pan, about 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Gently drop tomatoes into hot caramel syrup, tilting pan to coat. Using fork, quickly lift out tomatoes and transfer to sheet of foil. Cool tomatoes completely. DO AHEAD: Candied cherry tomatoes can be made 5 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into heavy small saucepan to reach depth of 1 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of saucepan. Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F. Add basil leaves and fry just until translucent, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer basil to paper towels to drain. DO AHEAD: Can be made 5 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Using 1- to 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, spoon out 1 scoop of each gelato into shallow bowls or glasses. Garnish with candied cherry tomatoes and fried basil leaves and serve.