Little last-bit-of-summer

I didn't make nearly enough ice cream this summer. Maybe because it just doesn't pack well for a picnic. Or maybe because I have big fall & winter baking plans and was saving it up as a 'garnish' for many cakes... we shall see.

But with a bounty of basil, I was inspired to glean one last flavor gasp of summer: basil ice cream. And, though this may sound a bit strange, it pairs quite well with all of those perfect tomatoes right about now.

2 cups heavy cream*
3/4 cup milk (1 or 2%)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
15 to 20 basil leaves, torn or chopped into 1/8-inch pieces
5 large egg yolks

Yields about 1 quart


1. In a medium heavy saucepan, stir together the cream, milk, half of the sugar (1/4 cup), and salt.  

2. Put the pan over medium high heat. Add the basil leaves to the pan. When the milk just begins to bubble around the edges, remove from heat and cover the pan. Let steep for about 20 minutes, or until a sweet basil flavor has infused into the milk/cream. 

1. In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the yolks just to break them up, and then whisk in the remaining sugar (1/4 cup). Set aside.

2. Uncover the cream mixture and put the pan over medium high heat. When the mixture approaches a bare simmer, reduce the heat to medium.

3. Temper the eggs by adding about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture and, whisking the eggs constantly, add the cream to the egg bowl.  Repeat, adding another 1/2 cup of the hot cream to the egg bowl.  Then, return to the pan of cream on the stove and stir the cream as you slowly pour the egg and cream mixture into the pan.

4. Continue to cook the mixture carefully over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is thickened, coats the back of a spatula and leaves a clear mark when you run your finger across it, 1-2 minutes longer. 

5. Strain the base through a fine-mesh strainer and into a clean container. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the base for at least 2 hours or overnight. 

6. Freeze in your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Freeze for at least 4 hours & enjoy!


*I used whole milk instead of cream and added an additional egg yolk for richness, which resulted in a less creamy, more gelato-like texture. 



Slightly adapted from Food52 

Easy Being Green

Toasted Nut & Parsley Pesto

2 cups loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup walnuts or a combination of walnuts, almonds & pecans
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
3-5 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil or walnut oil
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
kosher salt
pepper

1. With the peel on, lightly toast the garlic cloves, let cool and peel.
2. Toast the nuts until fragrant.
3. Combine parsley, nuts, garlic, cheese and 1 tsp salt in a food processor.
4. Turn on the processor and slowly add oil through the feed tube. Process mixture into a thick paste, but don't over process!
5. Add lemon juice, pasta water (about 1/4 cup). Season with salt and pepper to taste and pulse food processor a couple of times.

This pesto is delicious on pasta (I especially like it on spinach noodles), but is also tasty on crostini, as a seasoning for grilled shrimp, or combined with 1 cup of unsalted butter in a food processor to make a herb-nut compound butter.

April showers bring...

Now that the sun is shining and the air is feeling fresh and warm enough to keep the windows open, it's so nice to keep a few bunches of fresh flowers around to remind me that spring is really here. One of my favorites are ranunculus... not too precious looking, a little bit country, and definitely feminine; a down-to-earth extravagance!

Delicious dragonwort

Tarragon Butter

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon tarragon
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced shallots
salt to taste


In a small bowl, cream butter with an electric mixer.
Mix in lemon juice, tarragon, black pepper, and shallot.
Season to taste with salt.
Chill for at least one hour.

APRICOT & SAGE

APRICOT - SAGE SCONES

Makes 8

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup chopped dried apricots, (about 4 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
• Sanding sugar, for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Work in butter with fingertips or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in dried apricots and sage. Add cream; gather mixture with your hands until it starts to hold together.
2. Turn out mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Quickly bring dough together; pat into an 8-inch circle that is 1 inch thick. Smooth top with a rolling pin. Cut into 8 wedges with a bench scraper.
3. Arrange wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with cream; sprinkle generously with sanding sugar. Bake until cooked through and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Immediately transfer to a wire rack; let cool at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Scones can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month.

from Martha Stewart