Saffron Cardamom Ice Cream
Creamy and fragrant ice cream with saffron and cardamom notes! Chopped pistachios are added in the last minutes of churning for added texture. This lovely saffron and cardamom ice cream was discovered and adapted just slightly from the August 1993 issue of Gourmet magazine.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 mL) whole milk
- 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
- 4 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons (75 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ cup toasted shelled pistachios roughly chopped
Instructions
- Combine the milk, cream, and saffron in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and allow to sit, covered, for at least one hour to infuse (or alternatively, cover and allow to sit overnight in the fridge).
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks until well combined. Meanwhile, bring the milk and cream mixture back to a boil.
- Temper the hot cream mixture slowly into the egg yolks, whisking constantly with your other hand while pouring. Place the mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon, until it reaches 170°F (76°C). It should leave a nice thin coating on the back of a spoon.
- Remove from the heat and strain through a fine-meshed sieve into a shallow, wide heatproof bowl, set over an ice bath. Whisk in the ground cardamom and cool the mixture completely, stirring every few minutes.
- Freeze the mixture in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturers directions. In the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped pistachios. Store in an ice cream container or other container (covering the surface with plastic wrap)–and allow to freeze for an additional 4 to 6 hours to firm up before serving.
Tips for Success:
- You can buy affordable small containers of saffron at Trader Joe’s or at specialty Middle-Eastern grocery stores; however, high-quality saffron will yield a more nuanced flavor.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 208kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 166mg, Sodium: 68mg, Sugar: 6g