Homemade ice cream is unlike anything you buy in the store. Not only are you getting the freshest product possible, but you have complete control over the quality of the product. When making vanilla ice cream, there are a few tips you can follow to ensure you get the best flavor possible. First of all, don't scrimp on the ingredients you use. While it may be cheaper to use half and half and whole milk, you won't get a good taste or texture. For the best flavor and texture, use a mixture of heavy cream and half and half. This ensures that your ice cream has a high enough butter fat content, which means the ice cream will be silky.
Another thing you should consider is how you get your vanilla flavor. While you can use extract, fresh vanilla beans will add a much better flavor. If you must use extract, make sure it's not only pure, but high quality and fresh. If you have no idea how long the vanilla has been in your cabinet, it should probably be thrown out.
Last, but not least, don't be afraid to choose a recipe that uses eggs. Eggs add a rich flavor to ice cream and if you know where your eggs are coming from, and store them properly, you don't have to worry about getting sick from raw egg yolks.
Photo by Steven Depolo
Thanks for the tips...I love homemade ice cream but have never made it with fresh vanilla beans before. How do you process them. They look like dried shrivled sticks to me. I use Watkins Pure Bourbon Vanilla and it's really good, but would love to try the real thing.
ReplyDeleteI love ice cream, and vanilla goes with anything, as well as on it's own.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom made some many moons ago, but didn't have a blender etc, and after it had set in the freezer, it was like a block of ice and really hard to eat.
I would love to make my own properly though. One day when we have a big enough freezer.
Totally craving ice cream now! :D I remember the days of the entire family getting together during the summer to make homemade ice cream. It took the entire family since the men would take turns cranking the machine... and that's how old I am, lol.
ReplyDeleteHomemade ice cream though is beyond loaded with fat and calories no one needs. Been years since I was a kid and we made it once a year on the 4th of July. Everyone took their turn at the silly crank. I think anything would taste good after that.
ReplyDeleteSandy
When I was a kid we always made our homemade ice cream with fresh eggs and an uncooked mix. It's such a shame that we have to be so careful about eggs these days.
ReplyDeleteI'm still making first stops from the A to Z Challenge, so it's a pleasure meeting you. I love the foodie sites I visit regularly (Foodie Road Show and Epicurean Vegan).