Monday, February 2, 2009

Vanilla Ice Cream

This past Thursday was my husband's birthday and he told me that all he wanted from me was a German chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream. Of course I wanted to do that for him but I was worried that with my new job and weird hours that it might not be possible. When the schedule was posted for that week I was pleased to see that I was scheduled to have the day of my husbands birthday off. I was so excited and instantly started scheming up a plan on how to surprise him with the cake and ice cream.


I found out that I was off on that particular day because it was the ribbon cutting ceremony for work. This, once again, worked out perfectly. I attended the ceremony during the lunch hour when my husband would be home from work and then returned home after I knew he would be back at work. I churned the ice cream and made the cake and got them done just in time for him to walk in the door. We then went out to dinner with his parents then went back to my house to hang out. I brought my husband out a plate with the cake and ice cream and he was so surprised. It totally made my day that I was able to keep my trap shut and actually surprise him. I did not get any pictures of the cake but I used the Baking Illustrated recipe and the cake was fantastic.


This ice cream was fantastic. Steeping the vanilla bean into the cream really lets the smell and taste of the vanilla shine through. This was the perfect vanilla ice cream recipe and paired wonderfully with the German Chocolate Cake.

By the way, if you are looking for some wonderful vanilla beans at an amazing price check out The Organic Vanilla Bean Company, their products and prices are outstanding.


Vanilla Ice Cream
Source: The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz, page 24

Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups heavy cream
Pinch of salt
1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise
6 large egg yolks
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Warm the milk, sugar, 1 cup of the cream, and salt in a medium saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the warm milk and add the bean as well. Cover, remove from the heat, and let steep at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Pour the remaining 1 cup cream into a large bowl and set a mesh strainer on top. In a separate medium bowl. whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.

Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir until cool over an ice bath.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator. When ready to churn, remove the vanilla bean, rinsing and reserving for another use, and then freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufactures instructions.

12 comments:

Bob said...

My brother has made ice cream like that, it's the bomb! Steeping the beans in the cream makes such a huge difference. Great post! :)

Maria said...

Vanilla is a true classic!! It looks amazing!!

Vanessa said...

This sounds absolutely divine! May I ask what steeping means? I have never heard that word before - does it mean leaving the beans in the cream for a while before mixing? Thank you and congratulations on the delectable success! :)

What's Cookin Chicago said...

Wonderful! nothing beats a classic flavor like vanilla!

Sugar Duchess said...

Yum! Your ice cream looks so perfect, and I love the photos, too. I'll definitely have to try steeping the beans in the cream.

~Amber~ said...

Vanessa

You are absolutely right. Once the mixture was warmed I put the vanilla bean in and covered the mixture and let it steep (soak up the flavor) for 30 minutes. It really helps develop the flavor of the vanilla.

Vanessa said...

Thanks Amber! It sounds delicious - I'm going to have to try it! :)

That Girl said...

I'm so glad your schedule worked out for you! Tell your husband to schedule his birthday for the weekend next year!

Colleen said...

Glad the timing worked out for everything!

Maryanna said...

I love when I can see the vanilla bean in the ice cream. Yum!

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful! I love ice cream! In fact, I'm giving away one on my blog right now for my "blogiversary"! :)

James said...

Wow !! this is awesome. I love very much vanilla ice cream, i can say this is my favourite. Thanks for recipe, let me try.