Basil Gelato Recipes

LEMON BASIL SORBETTO

Steps:

• In a small sauce pan, combine 2 cups water, the sugar, basil sprigs, lemon zest and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
• Strain the syrup into a bowl and stir in the lemon juice. Pour the syrup into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Once partially frozen, sprinkle in the basil leaves and continue to freeze until firm. Pour into an airtight container and place in the freezer to freeze completely.
• Serving option: Scoop 1 or 2 small scoops of sorbetto into a coupe glass and top with a splash of prosecco.

GELATO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, mix milk and cream. Warm until foam forms around the edges. Remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture gels slightly and coats the back of the spoon. If small egg lumps begin to show, remove from heat immediately.
• Pour the mixture through a sieve or fine strainer into a bowl. Cover, and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a sealed container, and freeze until firm. If the gelato is too firm, place it in the refrigerator until it reaches the desired consistency.

BASIL ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Bring milk, basil, 1/4 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring, then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes. Transfer to a blender (reserve saucepan) and blend until basil is finely ground, about 1 minute.
• Beat together yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until thick and pale, about 1 minute. Add milk mixture in a stream, beating until combined well. Pour mixture into reserved saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture coats back of spoon and registers 175°F on thermometer (do not let boil). Immediately remove from heat and pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a metal bowl. Set bowl in a larger bowl of ice water and stir until cold, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in cream and freeze in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, at least 2 hours.

GELATO

Steps:

• Put the milk, half-and-half, salt and whatever flavors you are steeping with in a medium saucepan. Heat to a gentle simmer, remove from the heat and let steep for 30 minutes.
• Whisk the sugar, vanilla and egg yolks in a medium bowl. Gradually strain in and whisk about half of the warm milk mixture into the eggs. Then, while whisking constantly, add the warmed eggs to the remaining milk mixture.
• Return to the heat and cook the gelato base, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick and it coats a spoon, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture into a bowl set over an ice bath to stop the cooking and bring down the temperature.
• Strain the mixture again through a fine strainer, pushing to extract all the liquid. Churn the gelato in a gelato/ice cream maker, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Fold in desired mix-ins once the gelato has finished spinning in the machine. Transfer to a container and freeze until solid and ready to serve.

TOMATO, BASIL, AND RICOTTA GELATI

Steps:

• For tomato gelato:
• Puree tomatoes in processor until smooth. Strain through fine sieve, pressing on solids to release enough tomato puree to measure 2 cups. Discard any remaining puree and solids in strainer. Add 1 cup chilled Simple Syrup and pinch of coarse kosher salt to strained tomato puree; stir to blend.
• Transfer tomato mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For basil gelato:
• Bring 1 1/2 cups Simple Syrup to simmer in small saucepan. Remove from heat; add 3 cups basil leaves to syrup and stir until wilted. Transfer basil mixture to bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. Puree basil mixture and 6 tablespoons water in blender until smooth.
• Transfer basil mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For ricotta gelato:
• Combine ricotta cheese and milk in processor; puree until smooth. Add 3/4 cup Simple Syrup and process until blended and smooth.
• Transfer ricotta mixture to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.
• For garnish:
• Stir 1 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until color is medium amber (not deep amber), occasionally brushing down sides of pan with pastry brush dipped in water and swirling pan, about 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Gently drop tomatoes into hot caramel syrup, tilting pan to coat. Using fork, quickly lift out tomatoes and transfer to sheet of foil. Cool tomatoes completely. DO AHEAD: Candied cherry tomatoes can be made 5 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Pour enough vegetable oil into heavy small saucepan to reach depth of 1 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of saucepan. Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F. Add basil leaves and fry just until translucent, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer basil to paper towels to drain. DO AHEAD: Can be made 5 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Using 1- to 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, spoon out 1 scoop of each gelato into shallow bowls or glasses. Garnish with candied cherry tomatoes and fried basil leaves and serve.