Selection Of Ice Creams Or Sorbets Recipe

1. Prepare custard base

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Split the vanilla bean and scrape seeds into the milk mixture (or add vanilla extract later). Heat over medium until just steaming and small bubbles form at the edge, about 5–7 minutes. Do not boil.

2. Whisk egg yolks and sugar

While the milk warms, whisk the egg yolks with the granulated sugar and salt in a heatproof bowl until pale and slightly thickened, about 1–2 minutes.

3. Temper eggs

Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper. Then gradually whisk the tempered yolks back into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Return pan to low–medium heat.

4. Cook custard

Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon (between 170–175°F / 77–80°C). Remove from heat. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now.

5. Strain and chill

Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any cooked bits and the vanilla pod. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 3 hours or overnight.

6. Churn

Once chilled, churn the custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches soft-serve consistency, usually 20–25 minutes.

7. Harden

Transfer churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, press a piece of parchment on the surface to prevent ice crystals, cover, and freeze at least 4 hours for firm scoops.

8. Incorporate cocoa and chocolate

When heating the milk and cream for the base (see base directions), whisk in the cocoa powder until fully dissolved and warm. After tempering the eggs back into the chocolate-cocoa milk, add the chopped bittersweet chocolate right after the custard reaches coating temperature; stir until fully melted and the custard is smooth.

9. Strain, chill, churn

Proceed to strain, chill, churn and harden exactly as for the vanilla base. Chilling helps flavors marry and texture to stabilize.

10. Make simple syrup

In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer briefly, then remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

11. Prepare fruit purée

Place the chopped strawberries in a blender or food processor. Add the cooled simple syrup (reserve 1–2 tablespoons if you want to adjust sweetness after tasting). Puree until completely smooth.

12. Strain and taste

Pass the purée through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds for a silky sorbet. Taste and adjust sweetness with reserved syrup if needed.

13. Chill and churn

Chill the strained purée in the refrigerator until very cold, about 1 hour. Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions until a soft sorbet forms, typically 15–20 minutes.

14. Harden

Transfer sorbet to a shallow freezer-safe container, smooth the surface, cover with plastic wrap pressed to the surface and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.

15. Scoop ice creams or sorbet into chilled bowls or cones. Garnish vanilla or chocolate ice cream with chocolate shavings and a mint leaf. Serve strawberry sorbet with fresh berries and a sprig of mint. Allow very frozen ice creams to sit 2–3 minutes at room temperature for easier scooping.