Although the ingredients are simple, the taste is divine. Milk, eggs, cream, sugar, fruit and flavoring will mix up just about any flavor of this delectable treat. Home made ice cream will start with a cream base. Adding the ripest fruits available will enhance the flavor and create a stir at the table when it is served.
Through the freezing process, the other ingredients are added, which are ice and air. Basically the more you mix it, the more air in the ice cream and the lighter it is. When you shop for it, you may notice that some boxes are heavier than others even though the fluid ounces are the same. That is because of the air that is mixed in during the freezing process. Premium ice creams will be heavier than their less expensive counterparts.
There are two basic styles. American style, also called New York or Philadelphia style and the custard style or French custard style. American style is made without egg yolks and does not require any cooking.
Custard style uses eggs which are added to hot milk and sugar. Whisking the mixture over a low heat until it coats the back of the spoon assures a good beginning to the treat. This rich and smooth ice cream is the result of the egg yolks in the mixture which act as an emulsifier. Custard style should be cooled at least an hour before freezing. American style is made without the addition of eggs and no cooking. It is a delicate tasting ice cream due to the small amount of ingredients used.
Home made ice cream can be made in a hand crank maker or an electric one. If neither of these is available you can place the mix into the freezer and let it freeze. It is advisable to take it out once in awhile and stir it well to make it a little smoother and add that air we were talking about.
Once the mixture has thickened in your machine and is hard to stir, remove it and transfer the container to the freezer. Allowing it to freeze for several hours will help the flavor. It is also a difficult task because everyone knows just how delicious it is.
Taking a basic vanilla ice cream recipe and getting creative with very ripe fruits and possibly some nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, will enhance the taste and make your mouth start watering before it is even close to being done. This can be a great family activity and one that can be used on picnics or backyard barbecues. It is the perfect dessert for young and old alike. Making the ice cream when there is no freezer available for the finale is possible. The difference will be the texture. Without freezing, it will be more of a soft serve consistency.
Some of the fruits you may want to add are peaches, raspberries, bananas or strawberries. Simply mashing the fruit and adding it to the mixture during the churning process will incorporate the ingredients very well. Flavoring other than vanilla can also be used. It depends on personal taste and experimenting with different flavors will just enhance the experience.
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