Summer Delights: Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
August 2014 | simply jessica
Summer meals are the perfect occasion for lighter dishes, full of colorful fruits and veggies at the peak of freshness. In the pages of the August issue of 'Simply Family' magazine we shared with you a Savory Summer Pasta recipe, and over the next couple of weeks you can look for more summer delights from Simply Jessica!
In the hot, summer months, there is no better dessert than delicious ice cream. Especially strawberry ice cream! This is hands-down the best strawberry ice cream I have tasted, and that is saying a lot considering I am a huge strawberry fan. And it’s so easy to make! Your family will be begging you for more every single week.
Read on for the inside scoop!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries hulled (frozen work also)
- ¾ cup whole milk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 ½ cups of heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract (I usually use a generous 2 tsp)
- Graham cracker crumbs (optional)
Directions:
Either finely chop the strawberries (by hand) or place them into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse the strawberries to your preferred consistency, and then set the bowl aside.
In a separate (medium) bowl, use a hand mixer on low speed to combine the milk, sugar, and salt, until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla, and then add the strawberries and their juices. Cover with saran wrap, and refrigerate one to two hours.
Turn on your ice cream maker, and then carefully pour the cold mixture into the freezer bowl, allowing it to mix until thickened (about 15 to 20 minutes). Place the graham crackers into a plastic bag, and crush with a rolling pin. Add the graham crackers to the ice cream maker about 5 minutes before mixing is completed. The ice cream will have a creamy, soft-serve texture immediately out of the ice cream maker. If desired—or if you have leftovers—store in an airtight container in the freezer. Ice cream fresh from the freezer will have a firmer consistency, so remove from the freezer about 15 minutes before serving.
Come back next week for a taste of Grilled Chicken Salad with Feta, Fresh Corn, and Blueberries! (Okay, not an actual taste, sorry, but you will be treated to the delectable recipe).