Description
Creamy fresh mint ice cream showcases summer’s coolest dessert with pure, garden-picked mint leaves. Smooth, refreshing scoops deliver pure herbal sweetness that delights you with each cool, elegant bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh mint leaves
- 5 egg yolks
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup sugar
Fruits and Additions:
- 3 cups diced watermelon
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Craft a smooth watermelon granita by blending ripe watermelon chunks, granulated sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a food processor until completely liquefied.
- Pour the vibrant crimson mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe container, ensuring an even distribution.
- Allow the mixture to partially freeze for 30 minutes, then use a fork to disrupt ice crystal formation by scraping the edges toward the center.
- Repeat the scraping process every half hour, breaking down larger frozen sections and promoting uniform crystallization, approximately 3 to 4 hours total.
- Prepare a decadent mint ice cream base by gently heating whole milk, granulated sugar, and 8 fluid ounces (240 milliliters) of heavy cream in a medium saucepan over moderate heat until tiny bubbles emerge around the edges.
- Remove the heated dairy mixture from the stovetop and incorporate fresh mint leaves, covering the pan to allow robust flavor infusion for 1 to 2 hours.
- Whisk egg yolks in a separate mixing bowl until they transform into a smooth, pale yellow consistency.
- Carefully rewarm the mint-infused dairy mixture and gradually temper the egg yolks by slowly streaming approximately one-third of the hot liquid while continuously whisking.
- Transfer the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, cooking gently until the custard thickens sufficiently to coat the back of a wooden spoon.
- Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, incorporating the remaining heavy cream to create a silky base.
- Thoroughly chill the mint ice cream base in the refrigerator before churning according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.
- Create an elegant dessert by alternating layers of watermelon granita and mint ice cream in serving dishes, finishing with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt over the granita.
- Serve immediately, allowing the contrasting textures and temperatures to delight your palate.
Notes
- Chill the mint mixture completely to intensify the refreshing flavor profile.
- Layer granita and mint ice cream artfully for a stunning dessert presentation.
- Steep fresh mint leaves in warm milk and cream to extract maximum herbal essence.
- Temper egg yolks carefully by slowly incorporating hot liquid to prevent scrambling.
- Scrape granita edges consistently to create smooth, icy crystal texture.
- Sprinkle sea salt just before serving to enhance overall taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg