Apricot Ice Cream Recipes

APRICOT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Wash and pit the apricots, chop them coarsely and simmer in three tablespoons of water until tender. Puree in a food processor and set aside.
• Beat together the eggs, yolks and sugar until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is pale and lemon colored. (This can easily be done in a food processor.)
• Meanwhile, heat the cream and milk with the vanilla and coriander seeds. Remove from heat just before mixture reaches the boiling point.
• Pour mixture in a thin stream into the eggs and mix thoroughly. Pour into a double boiler and put over very hot water on a medium flame. (You can also use a thick saucepan placed on an iron trivet over a low flame.) Cook until thickened to the consistency of custard.
• Remove from heat and cool, whisking occasionally. Remove coriander bag. Strain mixture into a bowl and add the apricot puree. Chill thoroughly, then place the mixture in an ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's directions.

FRESH APRICOT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the apricots in boiling water for 20 seconds to loosen their skins, then remove them from the water, drain and peel them.
• Separate the apricots into halves and discard the pits.
• Chop the apricots coarsely and put them in a large glass bowl.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the sugar; stir and let stand for 1 hour, then puree them.
• While the apricots are standing, prepare the custard ice cream base.
• Beat the egg yolks in a bowl until they turn a light lemon yellow color, about 3 or 4 minutes. Set aside.
• Combine the whipping cream, milk and the remaining sugar in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking often, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.
• Ladle about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, whisking constantly until well-blended and smooth.
• Pour the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan and continue to cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to form a film or coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the almond extract.
• Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then stir in the pureed apricots.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

STRAWBERRY AND APRICOT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Soak apricots in lemon juice for at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Scald cream in saucepan. Remove from heat.
• Using an electric mixer beat egg yolks and sugar together until pale yellow. Gradually beat in hot cream. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium low heat until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. DO NOT BOIL!
• Strain mixture into a meal bowl and refrigerate for at least four hours, stirring occasionally.
• Fold strawberries, apricots and soaking liquid into custard. Process according to your ice cream maker manufacturer's instructions.
• Freeze in covered container in freezer overnight or for several hours.
• If frozen solid will have to let soften slightly in refrigerator before serving.

APRICOT CREAM-CHEESE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Pit apricots and coarsely chop. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan cook apricots and sugar over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, until apricots are softened, about 5 minutes, and cool. Chill mixture, covered, until cold and up to 2 days.
• In a blender blend cream cheese and milk until smooth. Using a long-handled spoon stir in heavy cream, lemon juice, and apricot mixture (do not blend).
• Freeze mixture in an ice-cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

APRICOT ICE CREAM SODA

Steps:

• Press apricots through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard skins and pulp. Stir sugar and lemon juice into apricot puree. Gently fold in whipped cream. Transfer to a 8-in. square dish. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours or overnight. Divide ice cream among 4 glasses; top with ginger ale. Serve immediately.

PEACH OR APRICOT ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, combine fruit with 1/2 cup sugar. Simmer gently until fruit is tender, about 10 minutes. Purée in a food processor or blender.
• In a small pot, simmer heavy cream, sugar and salt until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream.
• Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).
• Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Stir buttermilk and the fruit purée into base. Add a few drops of almond extract if desired. Cool mixture to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Serve directly from the machine for soft serve, or store in freezer until needed.

DRIED APRICOT-PISTACHIO ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, warm the apricot pieces in the wine. Simmer for 5 minutes, cover, remove from the heat, and let stand for 1 hour. Coarsely chop the pistachio nuts.
• Purée the apricots with the wine in a blender with the sugar, half-and-half, and lemon juice until smooth.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. During the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped pistachio nuts.
• Perfect Pairing
• You can make Apricot-Pistachio Crêpes (pictured) by warming Crêpes (page 233) and serving them, folded, on plates, topped with scoops of Dried Apricot-Pistachio Ice Cream, a drizzling of acacia honey, and a scattering of chopped pistachios.