Saturday, August 27, 2011

Strawberries and cream- ice cream


I created this ice cream one day on a whim. It is so easy to make and the end result is very lovely!

1 small bag of frozen strawberries
1/4- 1/2 cup white sugar
1 vanilla bean
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream

In a saucepan over medium heat add a dash of water, followed by the strawberries. Next scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the saucepan with the strawberries and water. Stir to combine, now toss the left over vanilla bean pods into the saucepan as well. Let this mixture cook down, as it is cooking use your spoon to mash the strawberries as they get soft. Add a pinch of salt. Cook until the mixture is completely soft, yummy and full of lots of love! Remove from the heat and place pan in your refrigerator and allow to cool. Once cooled add the milk and cream, stir to incorporate. Add this to your ice cream machine and follow your owners manual.

*Note: If you have never used fresh vanilla beans before it is really quit simple. Lay the bean on a cutting board and using a sharp knife slice the bean down the middle from end to end (the long way.) Using the blunt edge of your knife scrape the black seeds out of the bean. Just one nice steady motion is all it should take.

**Note: I have tried virtually all types of ice cream machines. I have had much success starting fires and blowing up my machines. Take it from me when I give you this suggestion on what machine to invest your money in. Cuisinart frozen yogurt-ice cream and sorbet maker, 1 and 1/2 quart capacity. This machine does NOT require salt or ice. Yah!!!