How to prepare vanilla ice cream
How to prepare vanilla ice cream
Making vanilla ice cream requires just a few ingredients and a few steps. Here is a basic recipe for making vanilla ice cream:
Ingredients:
– 500 ml of fresh cream
– 500 ml of whole milk
– 200 g of sugar
– 6 egg yolks
– 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (or the seeds of a vanilla bean)
Instructions:
1. Start by heating the cream and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Do not boil, just heat until the liquid starts to form little bubbles on the edges of the pot. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Slowly pour the hot cream and milk mixture into the bowl with the beaten egg yolks, stirring constantly. This step is called “tempering” and is used to prevent the yolks from cooking when they come in contact with the heat.
4. Transfer the entire mixture to the pot and put it back on the heat over low heat. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of the spoon. This process creates a custard.
5. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Add the vanilla extract or the seeds of the vanilla bean and mix well.
6. At this point, cover the bowl with cling film in contact with the cream to avoid the formation of a film on the surface. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours or preferably overnight for the mixture to cool completely.
7. Once the mixture is chilled, transfer it to the ice cream machine following the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have an ice cream machine, you can pour the mixture into a container and place it in the freezer. Stir vigorously every 30-45 minutes for the first 3-4 hours, until the ice cream reaches a creamy and smooth consistency.
8. After the freezing time, your vanilla ice cream is ready to enjoy. You can serve it straight or store it in the freezer in a sealed container for a couple of weeks.
Remember that this is just a basic recipe and you can customize it to your taste. You can add ingredients like melted chocolate, fruit, or nuts to create variations of vanilla ice cream.