Vanilla Ice Cream With Andes Mint Pieces And Pecans Recipes

FRESH VANILLA MINT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Tear the mint leaves into small pieces (you want to release as much oil from the leaves as possible to infuse maximum flavor), and add to the milk and cream mixture. Place over medium-low heat and heat until just steaming. Remove from the heat, cover with a lid, and allow the fresh mint to infuse in the milk and cream mixture for at least one hour.
• Strain the mint milk mixture through a fine-meshed sieve into a medium bowl. Press the mint leaves with the back of a wooden spoon to release as much oil as possible (the cream milk mixture might be light green in color, don't worry!).
• In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until smooth and pale yellow in color.
• Transfer the strained milk mixture back into the same saucepan and heat over medium heat until just beginning to boil. Remove from the heat immediately. Temper the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks slowly, whisking continously with your other hand as you pour. Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan, and heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the ice cream base has thickened considerably and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
• Once the ice cream base is thick, pour it through a fine-meshed sieve into a large heat-proof bowl. Place the vanilla bean pod on a cutting board and slice it in half lengthwise with a pairing knife. Using the back of your knife, scrape the vanilla bean caviar and whisk it into the ice cream base. Add the scraped vanilla bean halves to the mixture as well. Set the bowl in an ice bath, stirring every 10 minutes or so, until the base has cooled. Place ice cream base in an airtight container and set in the refrigerator until it has completely chilled.
• Remove the ice cream base from the fridge. Remove the scraped vanilla pod from the ice cream and discard. Churn the ice cream in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Place the ice cream in an airtight container, cover the surface of the ice cream lightly with parchment paper or plastic wrap (I use this type of container, which works great!).
• Freeze the ice cream for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.

PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat half-and-half cream to 175°; stir in sugar and salt until dissolved. Whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the eggs. Return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a thermometer reads at least 160°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately., Quickly transfer to a large bowl; place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight., Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer; freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. For each batch, stir in some of the peppermint candy. Freeze 2-4 hours or until firm.

VANILLA ICE CREAM WITH ANDES MINT PIECES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup of the heavy cream into a medium saucepan and add the sugar and salt. Split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds from it - add them to the saucepan as well. Warm the cream mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Do not let the cream boil!
• Remove the pan from the heat and add the remaining cup of cream, the milk and the vanilla extract. Place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill well before churning. (I usually do a minimum of 8 hours.).
• Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the andes mint pieces and pecan pieces during the last minute or two of churning.

FESTIVE MINT CREAM DESSERT

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt 1/2 cup butter. Stir in cookie crumbs. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm. Spread ice cream over crust; return to the freezer until firm., In a large saucepan, combine chocolate chips, confectioners' sugar, milk and remaining butter. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until thickened. Cool to room temperature. When cool, spread over ice cream; return to freezer until firm., Spread whipped topping over ice cream (dish will be full). Cover and freeze for until firm or overnight. , Remove from the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving. If desired, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with sprinkles.

PECAN PIE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place milk and cream in a heavy saucepan. Stir in the sugar. Heat on medium until scalded (about 180 degrees) - bubbles will form around the edges. Remove from heat.
• Beat eggs in a small bowl until well-blended. Gradually whisk several tablespoons of the hot milk mixture into the eggs, then slowly pour the egg mixture back into the pan, whisking all the while.
• Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the spoon, 6 minutes or so. As soon as you see the first wisps of steam, remove the pan from the heat. Keep stirring another 5 minutes or so as the mixture cools down. Stir in the vanilla. Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until very cold, about 6 hours or overnight.
• Place the pecans in a small, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Toast them, stirring, until lightly browned. Remove from heat. Pour in the maple syrup and add the butter and salt. Stir to coat pecans completely. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate.
• Add the cold custard to your ice cream maker and churn until the mixture reaches the consistency of soft ice cream, 40 to 50 minutes. Transfer it to a bowl. Fold in the cooled nuts and syrup, swirling them in so they are not thoroughly mixed in.
• Transfer the ice cream to one or more containers and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. If necessary, let the ice cream soften a bit in the refrigerator or at room temperature before scooping.