Rich and creamy homemade ice cream made with, yes, extra virgin olive oil (E.V.O.O. I.C. if you will). The bright, fruity, and nutty flavors of olive oil translate surprisingly well in a sweet application like this one. You have to taste it to believe it!
Yield: 1 quart (5-6 servings)
Prep Time: 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 30 minutesminutes
Chill Time: 5 hourshours
Total Time: 6 hourshours
Ingredients
1 ½cups/ 360gheavy cream, divided
1 ½cups/ 360gwhole milk
⅔cup/ 133ggranulated sugar
½teaspoonfleur de sel or fine sea salt
4large egg yolks
1piece lemon peel, about the size of a quarter
¼cup/ 56ggood quality extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
Combine milk and remaining heavy cream (3/4 cup) in a saucepan. Add sugar and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to steam and barely bubble around the edges (do not let it fully boil).
In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks until smooth.
Slowly whisk some of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks, drizzling in 1/3 cup or so at a time, until about half of the cream mixture has been incorporated and yolk mixture is warm to the touch. You want to do this gradually; doing so will temper the egg yolks rather than cook them.
Pour yolk mixture back into the saucepan and return to medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spatula, about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it reaches approximately 175ºF. Do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, and pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding any solids. Add remaining 3/4 cup cream and lemon peel. Let cool slightly (you can also use an ice bath to expedite this process), then cover with plastic wrap, carefully pressing wrap down onto the surface of the cream mixture to prevent a skin from forming on top. Refrigerate until completely cool, at least 3 hours or overnight if possible.
Once fully chilled and just prior to churning, remove lemon peel and discard. Slowly drizzle olive oil into chilled cream mixture, whisking vigorously until fully incorporated.
Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. When it is the consistency of soft serve, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Press a layer of parchment paper on the top of the container to prevent freezer burn, then cover and freeze at least 2 hours or overnight until firm.