Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream
There’s nothing better than a springtime farmers market. The morning air is crisp, the food trucks are cranking out food and there is the pervasive smell of coffee. It’s a safe place where everyone can let their guard down and be pleasant to one another. Many times I hear people exchanging recipes and laughter. The market becomes even more lively when the local band starts playing. I never know what veggies or fruits will be there from week to week but I know with a certainty that they will be fresh.

It’s strawberry season here in the southwest and we are having way too much fun. Take this strawberry basil ice cream for example. We infused the ice cream base with fresh basil creating a delicate savory essence if you will. The custard is cooked again and then cooled. Fresh and frozen strawberries were added and refrigerated until completely chilled and then churned in an ice cream maker. I used frozen berries in conjunction with the fresh because I wanted more juice to help “color” the ice cream. Chunks of strawberries were also added for their texture and flavor. The only thing I would do different next time would be to cut the strawberry chunks smaller. This strawberry basil ice cream is sweet and savory with a sophisticated touch!

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream in the Making
This recipe is from Fine Cooking website, simple formula to create your own ice cream flavor with infusions and add-ins recipe by David Lebovitz.

*Read directions completely before beginning. Also an instant-read or digital thermometer is needed.


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Strawberry Basil Ice Cream

Strawberry basil ice cream is made with fresh and frozen berries and infused with basil creating a delicious sweet and savory flavor. Makes a wonderful treat anytime of the year.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups heavy cream, divided
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup coarsely torn basil leaves, tightly packed
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 1 pound strawberries; 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, ½ pound frozen strawberries, trimmed, pureed and mixed with 1/2 cup sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Begin by infusing the basil.
  1. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 1 cup of the cream with the milk, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and tiny bubbles begin to form around the edge, 3 to 4 minutes. Now stir in the basil leaves. Cover, remove from the heat, and let sit for 1 hour. (at 1 hour the flavor was strong enough for us, let sit longer for a stronger flavor).
Setting up an ice bath and the rest of the instructions
  1. Prepare an ice bath by filling an extra-large bowl with several inches of ice and water. You want to be able to set a smaller bowl preferably metal inside, I used glass. Pour the remaining cup of cream into the inner bowl. Set a fine strainer on top.
  2. Whisk egg yolks in a medium bowl, set-aside.
  3. Rewarm the cream mixture with the basil over medium-high heat until tiny bubbles begin to form around the edge of the pan, this should only take about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and pour half of the mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. (this will prevent the eggs from curdling).
  4. Now pour the egg mixture back into the same saucepan and cook over low heat, stir constantly using heatproof rubber spatula until the custard thickens. Custard should be thick enough to coat the spatula. The test here is to draw a line through the coating with a finger; approx. 4 to 8 minutes. Custard should read 175° to 180°F at this point. (we used an instant-read thermometer)
  5. *very important to watch custard carefully if it overheats it will curdle.
  6. Immediately strain custard into the cold cream in the ice bath. For more flavor press the basil leaves against the strainer.
  7. Stir custard in ice bath to cool custard until below 70°F. then stir the strawberry puree into the cooled custard.
  8. Refrigerate the custard until completely chilled, at least 4 hours. Then churn the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer ice cream to an air-tight container, and freeze up to 2 weeks.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Comments

  1. So very creamy! I have never tried the combo of strawberry and basil..it sounds awesome, Cheri.

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  2. Yum, sounds wonderful. I love a sweet and savory combination!

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  3. When I saw the picture on Instagram I was licking my lips... and now I'm doing it again. I am loving the flavor combo here, plus the color is gorgeous!

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  4. AWESOME FLAVOR Combo Cheri!! Fresh Strawberries are everywhere and just in time to get some to make this amazing ice cream! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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    1. The strawberries have been so good that I almost didn't use them for the ice cream;)

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  5. I haven't grabbed any local strawberries yet, but I'll be on the look-out for them this weekend. This ice cream looks like a delicious for them!

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    1. Thanks Lisa, the strawberries are so good this time of year.

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  6. This ice cream was very good- a nice sweet/savory blend

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  7. Don't you love strawberry season in Arizona, Cheri? They have been wonderful this year! I don't know what I do without the Sunday morning farmers market – it's my social time of the week! The strawberry-basil ice cream sounds unbelievable, and I want to give it a try soon. I've never thought of that combination before…

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    1. Hi David, next time we are down there on a Sunday I am going to have to check out that market, sounds wonderful. Take carexo

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  8. Oh boy - the lively farmer's market and strawberry (not to mention, ice cream) season sound so so good! I am missing and looking forward to all that. I know all DL's ice cream recipes are amazing...enjoy every spoonful for us!!

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    1. Hi Monica, yes his recipes are the best, this one was fantastic for sure.

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  9. What a terrific combination! I made a blueberry pie with basil once - and it was great. Can't wait for our strawberries to be read to pick - yummy!

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    1. Hi Tricia, I bet that blueberries and basil are wonderful together, I will be making your blueberry pie in Oregon this summer.

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  10. I love my Sunday farmer's market. You describe it so well Cheri. I never had basil infused strawberry ice cream . I have to try it when our local strawberries arrive. It sounds intriguing.

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    1. Farmers markets are the best aren't they Gerlinde, I bet you have a wonderful one near you.

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  11. I just love the colour. Time for me to get my churner back in the freezer.

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  12. Yes, pleeeeez! Oh, my, goodness, Cheri your strawberry wonder with the savory basil looks scrumptious =)

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  13. I haven't yet bought strawberries this year, but need to -- 'cause I gotta make this! Terrific flavors in this. And it's gorgeous! Thanks so much. :-)

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  14. A delicious recipe and great flavor combinations.

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  15. I didn't get my ice cream maker out once last summer! May have had something to do with breaking my wrist but I do want to make ice cream this season. I am loving this flavor! What a classic and delicious combination, Cheri.

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    1. Thanks Susan, I finally bought the attachment for my Kitchen Aide so I have been going a little crazy with the ice cream.

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  16. Cheri:
    Strawberry and basil together? In an ice cream? Oh, that's the treat for me! Perfect for Spring!

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  17. What a delightful treat, strawberry and basil. Those are great flavors together Cheri. Happy Spring.

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  18. This sounds absolutely lovely! A perfect recipe to kick off Strawberry season!

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  19. I have a serious weakness for ice cream and this is so creamy looking! Strawberry used to be my granny's favorite, so this makes me think of her xo

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  20. This ice cream sounds wonderful! What a treat!

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  21. This recipe came at a perfect time. My basil is grwoing like crazy - thank you! Can't wait to try it!

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