Berry Brioche With Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream Food

TAHITIAN ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and allow softening, about 2 minutes. Cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the water mixture using a paring knife. Add the empty vanilla pods. Stir the water mixture over medium heat until the gelatin has dissolved. Set aside to cool slightly. Remove and discard the vanilla pods.
• Beat the cream until thick using an electric hand mixer in a medium bowl. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the cream holds soft peaks. Add the water mixture, coconut milk and rum. Beat until thick and light.
• Pour the mixture into an 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish. Freeze until the mixture is the texture of soft-serve ice cream, about 2 1/2 hours.
• Scoop the mixture into small glasses using an ice cream scoop. Garnish with toasted coconut and serve. Freeze any unused ice cream in an airtight container.
• Cook's Notes: To toast coconut, place sweetened or unsweetened, shredded or flaked coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes.
• If freezing the ice cream for longer than 2 1/2 hours, allow the ice cream to stand at room temperature until softened, about 30 minutes before serving. Whisk the ice cream until smooth and serve.

BRIOCHE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, stir together the flour sugar and salt. Make a well in center of the bowl and mix in the eggs and yeast mixture. Beat well until the dough has pulled together, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 minutes.
• Flatten the dough and spread it with one third of the butter. Knead this well. Repeat this twice to incorporate the remaining butter. Allow the dough to rest for a few minutes between additions of butter. This process may take 20 minutes or so. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
• Deflate the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. It needs time to chill in order to become more workable.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into two equal pieces, form into loaves and place into prepared pans. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in volume, about 60 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5-inch loaf pans (see Cook's Note to make rolls). Beat the egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water to make a glaze.
• Brush the loaves or rolls with the egg wash. Bake in preheated oven until a deep golden brown. Start checking the loaves for doneness after 25 minutes, and rolls at 10 minutes. Let the loaves cool in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to wire racks to cool completely.

BERRY BRIOCHE WITH TAHITIAN VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• To make the ice cream: Combine the milk, cream, sugar, and salt in a saucepan.
• Split the vanilla beans and scrape the seeds into the milk mixture, then drop in the pods.
• Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat and set aside for 2 minutes to steep.
• Lightly whisk the egg yolks to break them up, then whisk in a spoonful of the hot milk mixture.
• Pour the yolks into the hot milk mixture, whisking gently to combine.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring gently but constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat and strain through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl set in a larger bowl of ice.
• Let chill, stirring occasionally as the mixture cools.
• When it is cold, stir in the half-and-half.
• Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions.
• Pack into airtight freezer containers and freeze until ready to use.
• To prepare the brioche: Oil a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Whisk the water, yeast, and eggs together.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the flour, sugar, and salt with the paddle attachment on low speed.
• Slowly add the egg mixture.
• Mix until the dough forms a ball.
• Add the butter, a few small pieces at a time, until the butter is incorporated.
• Mix on medium speed for 4 minutes.
• Put the dough in the oiled bowl; the mixture will be soft.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place a towel on top.
• Refrigerate overnight.
• Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Divide the cold dough into 10 portions, roll into balls, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Flour a work surface and roll out each ball of dough into a 6-inch circle.
• Brush off any excess flour.
• Refrigerate again.
• Place the circles on a work surface.
• Pinch the edge with your thumb and forefinger and twist slightly, turning up a collar all around each circle.
• Prick the bottoms with a fork and place on the prepared sheet pans.
• Brush the edges of the brioche with cool water and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
• To finish: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
• Gently toss the filling ingredients together.
• Mound into the prepared brioche tart shells; the filling will cook down.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until the filling bubbles and the edges are golden brown.
• Remove and keep warm.
• To prepare the coulis: Puree the ingredients in a food processor or blender and strain through a fine-meshed sieve.
• Put in a squeeze bottle.
• To serve: Place a brioche tart on each dessert plate.
• Dust with confectioner's sugar.
• Spoon berry coulis over the plates.
• Place drops of creme anglaise in the coulis and pull through with a toothpick of the tip of a sharp knife to form a design.
• Top each with a scoop of Tahitian vanilla ice cream and garnish with a sprig of mint and (optional) sugar spiral.