I Scream Ice Cream!

Posted by Coralie on Apr 13, 2011 in News | 0 comments

Spring is finally sprung: the trees are growing greener, and sleeves are definitely getting shorter by the day! I don’t even have to rely on the clock anymore to know when my work day is over: as soon as the ice-cream van music gets heard, it’s time to go home…

To celebrate this oh-so-cheerful weather, I got my ice-cream maker out. It hibernates through the winter, you see, and comes to life in the summer… and  this treat is ever so easy to make, even if your cooking skills are basic. It’s all about putting a few ingredients together and letting the robot do the rest – minimum effort, maximum wow!

When in a hurry, I just prepare a vanilla custard (or buy a good quality one -  Morrison’s or Marks & Spencer’s have a wonderful texture), add some fruit purée or chocolate coulis and voilà! Just pour and wait.

My favourite is made with plums. It may sound very elaborate but the steps are very simple and you probably already have all the ingredients part from the fruit. Those bring a soft pinkish colour and a sweet but very refreshing taste. Follow me:

Take 10 juicy plums, halve and stone them
Put them in a heatproof bowl, sprinkle with 100g sugar, cinammon, add a little orange or tropical fruit juice
Cover with cling film and set over a saucepan of boiling water for the following half hour
The plums will have now juiced out – you should get around 300m. If not, add a little water
Make a syrup by dissolving 100g sugar with 100ml boiling water. It takes just a minute. Then add to the plum juice
Whisk an egg white, add a little lemon juice and mix with the plum juice
Hop, in the ice-cream maker
Get the spoons out!

And now, invite some friends over and be a bit more adventurous:

Plum and star anise work really well together.
This works great with any crumble, and is a welcome alternative to vanilla.
Serve a few scoops in a cocktail glass. For an adult version, I add a few raspberries and a spoonful of kirsch. Alternatively, add a dollop of alcohol straight in the recipe.
Kids love this pastel hue. For little princesses, get those edible sparkles used for cupcakes and sprinkle on top. That guarantees you the “Best mum ever” award!
I love marble effects. When your machine has reached the perfect texture, take the bowl, add a little raspberry coulis, swirl it around with a chopstick, cover with cling film and leave in the freezer for a couple of hours to set.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with all kinds of flavours. If you have any leftover basil or thyme (you’ll need 60g or so, stalks included), just put it in a saucepan with 150g sugar, 150ml water and a splash of lemon juice. Let the sugar dissolve and bring to a boil. When the liquid has cooled down, take the herbs out and let the robot make it into a sorbet. It is a nice aromatic option at aperitif as it whets the appetite. Excellent with a Thai dinner!

Of course, the best ice-creams are the ones you eat on holidays. Those who will melt down your fingers as you walk around a city, enjoying the sun, delighted by it all. But London has quite a few places to chill out:

Geluppo

Because Italians do it better! This deli boutique offers a wide range of gorgeous flavours. The fruit ones are like biting into the fruit straight from the tree… The watermelon granita will make you feel on holiday.

Freggo

This Argentinian parlour near Piccadilly does the best dulce de leche ice-cream in town. Try it with an additional spoonful of passion fruit or Malbec sorbet – a mix made in heaven! Even better, they open till 23.00 weekdays and till 02.00 Fridays and Saturdays.

Feng Sush

If you fancy a twist, try their matcha, chestnut or sesame options. Very different, but a perfect touch after an Asian-style meal.

Chin Chin Lab

The best one to impress a date! Watch the team in their white coats create your favourite ice-cream (or the maddest alliance, they recently had a pretzel one) with liquid nitrogen… Guys find it fascinating.

The Ice-Creamists

Cocktail anyone? Make this your first drink before going out! Served in martini glasses, those alcoholic mixes are sure to put you in the mood to party. One includes absinthe, poured still burning on the ice-mix…

Not in London but know the coolest ice-cream shop? Let us know!

Photography by Coralie, Pinot and Dita, and Spike55151