Basil ice-cream, it sounds like an odd flavour for ice-cream, but it really works. Aromatic, slightly sweet and floral, it makes for an interesting dinner conversation as others try to guess that familar flavour they can't quite put their finger on. So if you like to serve something a little unusual then certainly give this ice-cream a try.
I am very lucky to have holiday cottages in Suffolk, and so we spend a lot of our weekends there. Now, you may wonder what that has to do with basil ice-cream. The answer is quite simple.
A lot of the time we are there we spend gardening or working on the cottages (they were built circa 1750 so there is always something that needs doing) and we often treat ourselves to a meal in a pub on the Saturday night.
We are spoilt for choice, as Suffolk is really getting a great reputation for producing good quality local produce (check out the smoked fish from Orford or Blythburgh pork among many other excellent local produce!), and a lot of the pubs serve great seasonal local food.
One of our favourite places is The White Horse - Sibton. The owners are really friendly and make everyone feel very welcome and the food is great. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. This is where we get to the connection. It was at the White horse that I first tasted basil ice-cream. It was served with a mango tart and when I saw it I was intrigued to find out what it would taste like and, of course, just had to try. One taste later I was sold and decided to try and make it myself.
Back at home I set about trying to replicate the ice-cream. Starting with a basic egg custard (the base of many ice-creams), I added chopped basil. The one (minor) short coming of the ice-cream at the White horse was its slightly muddy coloured green, not enough to put you off, but equally not the bright green you might expect.
To overcome this I decided against whizzing the basil and custard together in the food processor before freezing and instead let the basil infuse into the custard for several hours before straining it. Next I added cream and popped it in the ice-cream maker. My concern that the flavour would not be strong enough turned out to be unfounded. It's subtle but I think the better for it.
I have made it a couple of times since as well as for testing and photographing here, once serving with an orange and pine nut tart and the other time with my Almond bizcocho with some stewed rhubarb on the side. Both times it was huge success with my guests.
I shall be making it again, it's easy and (in case you are wondering) you don't need an ice-cream maker. I know the flavour works well with orange, but wonder what else it will go with. I suspect strawberries or raspberries might be a nice pairing.
Hints and tips for making basil ice-cream
Take care when making the egg custard not to let it boil or it will curdle. The custard should thicken very slightly. Use a cook's thermometer if you have one to reduce any chances of over heating.
The custard should be heated to 85°C. If the custard does get a bit too hot and looks like it is beginning to split, remove from the heat and plunge the base of the pan into cold water to stop it from cooking any further. Whisk frantically with a balloon whisk.
Use an ice-cream maker if you have one, and follow the manufacturers instructions. If not, pour the ice-cream into a shallow freezer-proof container (this will help it freeze quicker) and freeze until the mixture is slushy and beginning to firm around the edges. Whisk the ice crystals that have formed around the edge of the container into the middle. Repeat every 2-3 hours until you have a smooth ice-cream mixture.
Homemade ice-cream is best eaten when freshly made and the taste will deteriorate overtime, so try to consume within a a week or so. Store in an airtight container and place a piece of parchment onto the surface of the ice-cream to help exclude as much air as possible to maximize it's keeping quality.
Depending on how cold your freezer is you may need to take the ice-cream out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or so before serving to soften sufficiently to scoop.
Step by step basil ice-cream
Basil ice-cream
Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 150 g golden caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornflour
- 500 ml milk
- 25 g basil leaves chopped
- 300 ml double cream
Instructions
- Place the egg yolks in a mixing bowl with the sugar and whisk until pale and fluffy. Sprinkle the cornflour over the top and whisk in.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan until just beginning to bubble around the edge of the pan. Slowly stir the hot milk into the egg mixture. Return the mixture to the pan.
- Add the chopped basil and cook gently stirring constantly until the mixture thickens very slightly.
- Pour the mixture back into the mixing bowl and allow to cool. When completely cold, cover and chill for at least 4 hours or over night.
- Strain the mixture though a fine sieve, pressing the basil firmly with a spoon.
- Pour the cream into the cold mixture and whisk in. Pour into an ice cream maker and following the manufacturers instructions, churn until frozen. If you don't have an ice cream maker pour into a shallow container and freeze for about 2 hours until beginning to firm. Whizz in a food processor or beat with an electric whisk to break up the forming ice crystals. Return to the freezer for another couple of hours and repeat the freezing and beating 2 or 3 more times until you have a smooth iced mixture, then transfer to a suitable container cover and freeze until firm.
- To serve, move from the freezer to the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving.
Edie C.
I love basil anything so ice cream sounds fabulous Jacqueline. Definitely pinning that one!Thank you.
*BTW, your stem ginger ice cream sounds divine too! Thx.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I think they are both delicious but this one is the most unusual and I love it.
Michelle Rolfe
Love the sound of this ice cream! Like the idea of serving with strawberries and as our local berries are in full swing now I think I'll give this a try!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Michelle. Trust me the flavour really works I just adore it. Ive a few strawberries on my little allotment so I shall have to make some more myself. When I have finished scoffing the stem ginger ice cream im about to post 😉
Sue
Tried it on Sunday. First I thought it would be too sweet but once made into "ice" cream it worked. I added more basil and pressed like mad. Then chopped fresh basil and pressed through sieve. Served with strawberries and chocolate biscuit cake.
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
Sounds delish with chocolate cake and strawberries. Ice-cream is usually tends to be on the sweet side before freezing an once frozen the sweetness if dulled. Im glad you liked it.
Monika Dabrowski
I love unique flavours and can absolutely imagine how tasty that ice cream must have been:)
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
If you give it a try do let me know what you think
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
This sounds such an interesting flavour Jacqueline, something I would never have thought of making. As you say, I can really imagine it working with strawberries but I also believe that peaches work well with basil.
Pinning,
Angela x
Jacqueline Bellefonatine
Ohh peaches, now that's a good idea! It was a new flavour on me although I have eaten orange and basil sorbet before which was also good. Until I tried it I wasnt sure how it would work with the creaminess of ice-cream but it just does. Thanks for pinning and have a good weekend jx