Lavender is always a welcome addition in many gardeners' fields due to its versatility. The herb garden serves as a great bridge between the cook and the gardener, offering fresh ingredients for various culinary creations. Whether baking bread, biscuits, cakes, fruit pies, or making jellies and jams, using herbs freshly gathered from the garden adds a special touch, including the delightful lavender. On a hot summer day like today, what could be better than making lavender ice cream? This ice cream is bursting with a sensual taste and a distinctive aroma that delights the taste buds, bringing pure happiness. With just five simple ingredients—sugar, milk, cream, eggs, and fresh lavender—this recipe is easy to make and promises a refreshing treat.

Lavender Ice Cream

By Zosia Culinary Adventures | Date: July 23, 2024

Preparation of ingredients: 30 minutes

Chilling: 30 minutes

Churn: 40 minutes or until almost firm

Freezing: for at least 30 minutes before serving

Yield: 500 ml

Ingredients:

•  1/3 cup fine sugar or sugar replacement

• 2 cups whole milk

• 1 cup 35% cream, chilled

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tablespoons fresh lavender(buds and leaves) for milk infusion

• 2 tablespoons fresh lavender soft petals, added to churning ice cream

Instructions:

1. Over low heat, gently warm the sugar in a non-stick saucepan along with half of the milk, incorporating the delicate flavors of fresh lavender buds and leaves. Allow the mixture to gently heat until a wisp of steam rises, indicating its readiness. Once this stage is reached, cover the pan with a lid, then set it aside to cool completely, letting the aromatic infusion develop fully.

2. Strain the milk/lavender mixture carefully through a fine sieve to remove any lavender particles. Once strained, transfer the infused milk to a clean container and refrigerate it to chill thoroughly before using in your recipe.

3. Take the remaining milk and carefully combine it with the egg yolk until thoroughly mixed together. In another non-stick saucepan, gently warm the mixture over low heat until it just begins to come to a gentle boil, ensuring you stir constantly. Once ready, remove the saucepan from the heat and transfer the mixture to a cold bath, allowing it to cool down entirely. Mix both mixtures together and add 35% cream. Place it in the fridge for 30 minutes or until well chilled.

4. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and carefully follow the provided instructions by the manufacturer for optimal results. Let the machine churn the mixture for approximately 30 minutes to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. As it churns, delicately incorporate some freshly picked lavender petals to infuse a subtle floral essence into the ice cream. Allow the ice cream to churn until it reaches a firm texture, then transfer to a freezer container covered with well fitted lid. Freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving.

5. If you find yourself without an ice cream maker, it is crucial to ensure that all your components are thoroughly chilled before they are blended together. The resulting mixture should then be carefully transferred into a freezer-safe container with ample depth for subsequent stirring. This container must be equipped with a securely fitting lid to maintain the ice cream's consistency. Next, position the container in the chilliest section of your freezer. After an initial hour has passed, gently loosen the frozen edges with a spatula and blend the contents until they reach a uniform, creamy texture. Once this step is completed, reseal the container and place it back in the freezer for an additional hour. This process should ideally be repeated once or twice more, ensuring that the ice cream achieves a smooth and evenly frozen state. Once satisfied with the texture, cover the container and allow the ice cream to freeze thoroughly before serving.

6. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months; take out 15 minutes before serving to soften.
   Enjoy it!

Nutrition Facts per 100 ml 💞

Calories 138 | Fat 8.9 g \ Saturated Fat 4.1 g\ Cholesterol 259 mg\ Sodium 34mg\ Total Carbohydrate 10.1 g\ Dietary Fiber 0 g\Total Sugars 8.9 g\ Protein 5.1 g \ Vitamin D 37 mcg\ Calcium 92 mg\ Iron 1 mg\ Potassium 105 mg