Thursday, August 26, 2010

Strawbrry Ice Cream


Sometimes being 11 years old isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Mix in the third day of school, the hottest day of the entire summer, lack of sleep, a couple of boring teachers and a 14 year old pesty brother and you have the ingredients for a not so good day.  What better to perk up a little girl's mood than Strawberry Ice Cream?

Living here in Carlsbad we are lucky to have good strawberries within reach nearly year round.  My favorite organic stand at the Farmer's Market is bringing slightly smaller, but no less sweet berries.  They are juicy and bright red.  Not quite as perfect as peak season, but absolutely delicious none the less.  


I am always looking for a reason to use my favorite Tahitian Vanilla Beans that I picked up in Huahine last February, and love the flavor that the tiny seeds add to ice cream.  I like to steep the whole bean in the cream as it heats, but as the mixture will need to be strained before freezing, I don't scrape the seeds in the cream as so many end up getting lost to the strainer.

With a little more than a pint and a half of strawberries on hand I had enough for two small batches of ice cream, one creamy and rich made with full calorie whipping cream, and another an experimental, non-dairy batch using coconut milk as a base.  Both exceeded our expectations and provided a much needed perk up to an special 11 year old girl's day.


Strawberry Ice Cream


This creamy, decadent ice cream is made with whipping cream and milk, providing a luscious strawberry treat that is sure to cure any blues!

1 generous cup quartered strawberries
small squeeze of lemon juice
2 large eggs
½ cup sugar (may use more or less depending on sweetness of berries)
dash of salt
1 cup whipping cream
scant ½ cup milk
1 small vanilla bean
¾ tsp vanilla

Whir strawberries in a blender or small food processor for a few seconds.  When desired "chop" is accomplished (I like to have some larger chunks too!) and place in a small bowl.  Set aside.

Place the cream in a small pot on the stove over medium - medium low heat stirring constantly.  

In another small bowl add the eggs, sugar and dash of salt, mix well.  When cream is hot, but not boiling, add a few tablespoons of the cream to the egg mixture.  Stir.  Add a few more tablespoons of the hot cream mixture, mixing again.  This is to bring the temperature of the eggs up slowly so they will not curdle (scramble) in the hot cream.  Add a few more tablespoons, stirring again.  Pour the egg mixture into the cream pot and heat gently for about one minute, stirring constantly.

Strain the cream/egg mixture into a clean bowl.  Add milk, vanilla, vanilla bean seeds and strawberries and chill until cold.

Add to the bowl of your ice cream maker and follow maker directions.

Once ice cream is done, serve immediately to receive an immediate perk to your day, or place in an airtight container and freeze for a later use.  


Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream


An experimental batch that turned out to be a success!  I remember reading somewhere that coconut milk can be used as a base to a non dairy ice cream, and my 14 year old son and I concur that indeed it can.  Nice and creamy, with a slight coconut flavor, you would never know it's dairy free!

1 can light coconut milk
1 generous cup quartered strawberries
¼ cup sugar
1 Tbs vanilla extract

Whir strawberries in a blender or small food processor for a few seconds.  When desired "chop" is accomplished (I like to have some larger chunks too!) and place in a small bowl.

Combine coconut milk, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and mix well.  Add strawberries, stirring to combine.  Chill.

Add to the bowl of your ice cream maker and follow maker directions.

Once ice cream is done, serve immediately to receive an immediate perk to your day, or place in an airtight container and freeze for a later use.  

28 comments:

  1. I've never made ice cream partly because it seems so daunting. I should get over it, though. We eat ice cream several times a week...and fresh is always better! Yours looks delish.

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  2. I love fresh, homemade strawberry ice cream! Yours looks so pretty. I've tried using coconut milk for ice cream, and it does work very well!

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  3. I had not heard of the coconut milk base but I'm very intrigued. Both of the ice creams look delicious!

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  4. Thanks for the recipes, I'm curious to try making ice cream with coconut milk, they both look delicious:-)

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  5. How delicious. And two versions and one without dairy version sounds amazing. Coconut milk is so good (=

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  6. What pretty pictures!

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  7. I love how you included both a traditional and experimental recipe here....they both sound delicious. I know that this could perk up a 23 year old girl's day too!

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  8. Homemade strawberry ice cream is my very favorite! I love the fact that you made two versions and love the idea of using coconut milk in place of cream.

    Being an 11 year old girl is a rough job. I hope this ice cream put a smile on her face!

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  9. Sara, give it a shot! It's darn easy, but you can never go back to store bought!

    Sprinkled, we actually really enjoyed the slight coconut flavor. I think I even preferred it to the original.

    Susi, thanks! It was surprisingly good!

    Patty & Lisa, thanks! We are enjoying a bit of a coconut obsession right now...

    Ravie, thanks!

    Monet, I'm certain it would perk up a 23 year old girl's day too!!

    Kim, it most certainly did! Somehow the rest of the day was much better.

    Torvie, thanks!

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  10. Love the double version! I have to try one of them...or both....fresh ice cream is really a whole different experience. I'm glad your girl got this sweet treat!

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  11. The one with full cream sounds right up my alley! I am all for non-dairy versions, but I have made ice cream similar to yours before and OH, it is just so creamy and delicious... I am dying inside because I cant have some right now!!! Maybe you have some left over for me? :)

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  12. Sara, it's amazing what fresh ice cream does for girl's moods!

    Cilantro... I was right with you till I tried the 2nd one. Personally, I prefer chocolate, but for strawberry these were good! We have extra in the freezer... you are close enough to pop over!! :)

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  13. Even though we have no dairy issues, I am going to try coconut milk in ice cream....the idea of that coconut flavor and the fruit and the cold....Wonderful!!!

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  14. yum! that looks soooo tasty! I wish I had a continuous supply of fresh strawberries!! :)

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  15. Oh YUM! What a perfect idea! School started already??? Bummer. I'd need some ice cream too. How thoughtful of you to make this! And I love the dairy free option especially because I am extremely sensitive to ice cream. Thank goodness I'm getting my other half an ice cream maker for Christmas...hope he doesn't see this!

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  16. My son would love it. He is a fan of ice cream and strawberries.

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  17. I do have to get an ice cream maker.....your strawberry ice cream looks so good! My wife starts school next week, mine is not until after labor day!

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  18. Homemade strawberry ice tastes the best!

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  19. Oh yes. I so love homemade ice cream. This recipe makes my mouth water. Part of my growing up took place in Georgia where the peaches are the best you'll ever eat, and my Dad would make us peel the peaches that we just picked and then make the most wonderful homemade ice cream out of it. This recipe reminds me of that. Can't wait to make it myself!

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  20. WOW - homemade strawberry ice cream - it looks fantastic!!! Must make before the season is over.

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  21. Your ice creams look so fresh and tempting! I have a preference for the coconut milk version because it has such a unique taste to it. Loving these two recipes, thanks for sharing them!

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  22. Kristen, I'd love to hear what you think about it. I found the texture to be just like real cream. Actually creamier than some of the low fat versions I've done.

    Lynne, I know how lucky we are to have our endless supply!

    Dionne, you will love the maker. Oh.. I mean he will love it! Careful with those bowls... I've learned from experience that if they are dropped too hard they break! :o

    Katerina, my kids love it too!

    Dennis... you most definitely need a maker! I can only imagine what wonderful creams you would make with it!

    I agree Angie!

    BusyMOM... you just reminded me of a peach ice cream we made last year! Oh, I hope I didn't lose that recipe, it was beyond amazing!

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  23. Lisa, Thanks!

    Diva, thank you too! I truly enjoyed the coconut versions, though I didn't think I was going to. Always love and experiment that works!!

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  24. I must, I must, I must get my ice cream maker out again! I don't know why I put it away because all these wonderful recipes are popping up. These look excellent; both of them! Thanks for sharing.

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  25. They look so good! I've never heard of using coconut milk for ice cream before... very interesting.

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  26. Both your versions look delicious! I'm very impressed with your coconut milk version and can't wait to have a go at this myself, thanks ;-)

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