By Phillip Speciale
If you like ice cream you'll love these gelato recipes. It's rich creamy frozen custard flavored with chocolate, fruits and nuts.
Throughout the years Italy has produced some of Europe's best desserts. Many of these desserts are simple to make and do not involve any complicated techniques.
After eating an Italian meal course after course there is rarely any room for dessert. So any dessert served should be light and simple like fresh fruit or these delicious gelato recipes.
Here we'll start with a basic custard cream gelato and then add a whole bunch of different ingredients to give it some great flavors. You'll need an ice cream maker for this one but its well worth the end results. Soon you'll discover why this special dessert has been an Italian favorite for centuries.
Custard Cream Gelato
INGREDIENTS
6 cups of whole milk or 2% 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar 12 egg yolks beaten 1 Tbls of grated orange or lemon peel PREPARATION
In a large saucepan combined egg yolks, milk and sugar. Cook and whisk over low heat until mixture sticks to the metal utensil. Remove from heat and gradually mix in the remaining milk and grated peel making sure not to cook the eggs. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight or place the saucepan in an ice bath until completely chilled. Freeze in a 5 quart ice cream maker according to manufacturers directions. This recipe makes around 2 to 3 quarts of gelato. The recipe can be adjusted to make a smaller portion but I always say if you're going to make it you might as well make enough. Triple Chocolate Gelato
INGREDIENTS
6 cups of whole milk or 2% 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar 12 egg yolks beaten 6 oz of semi-sweet chocolate 6 oz of chopped semi-sweet chocolate Cocoa powder for dusting PREPARATION
Prepare the above custard recipe as directed without the peel. Before adding the remaining 3 cups of milk add 6oz of semi-sweet chocolate until melted. Chill in the refrigerator or ice bath. Chop up 6 more ounces of chocolate and whisk into the mixture. Freeze as directed. Dust with cocoa powder upon serving. Peach Gelato
INGREDIENTS
6 cups of whole milk or 2% 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar 12 egg yolks beaten 6 to 8 peaches pitted, peeled and chopped. PREPARATION
Prepare the above custard recipe as directed without the peel. In a blender or food processor blend peaches until smooth Before adding the remaining 3 cups of milk whisk in 2 cups of the blended peaches. Chill in the refrigerator or ice bath. Freeze as directed. Strawberry Gelato
INGREDIENTS
6 cups of whole milk or 2% 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar 12 egg yolks beaten 3 cups of chopped strawberries PREPARATION
Prepare the above custard recipe as directed without the peel. In a blender or food processor blend strawberries until smooth. Before adding the remaining 3 cups of milk whisk in 3 cups of blended strawberries. Chill in the refrigerator or ice bath. Freeze as directed. This will give you a general idea of what kind of gelato you can make. Use your own favorite ingredients and enjoy.
Mangia Italiano!
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