Date Or Prune Ice Cream Food

DATE ICE CREAM (BUZA 'ALA-TAMR)

Steps:

• Whisk the cornstarch into 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the milk in a small mixing bowl and have at hand. Put the remaining 3 3/4 (940 ml) milk and sugar in a medium pot and place over medium heat. Slowly add the cornstarch/milk mixture (see Note), whisking all the time. Bring to a boil, still whisking. Let bubble for about 10 minutes while still whisking. Take off the heat and add the rose water and cardamom. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let cool.
• Put the dates in a food processor. Add the thickened milk and process until the mixture is creamy. Transfer to a large measuring cup with a 2-quart (2-liter) capacity and whisk in the cream. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker following the manufacturer's instructions. Serve garnished with slivered or coarsely crushed pistachios.

PRUNE-ARMAGNAC ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the quartered prunes in a small saucepan with the Armagnac and 1 tablespoons of sugar. Heat over medium-low heat just until the Armagnac starts to bubble. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand at least 2 hours or several days in the fridge.
• When ready to make the ice cream, purée the prunes (be sure to save about 8 prune pieces for garnish) and their liquid in a food processor along with the sour cream, milk, the remaining 6 Tbsps. sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Pulse the mixture until it's almost smooth but leave a few little bits of prunes remaining. I do this by reserving a few prunes & throwing them in for just a few pulses.
• Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour (minimum), then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Serve garnished with a dusting of cocoa powder & a macerated prune piece on the side.

DATE OR PRUNE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• If using dried dates, add 30 ml warm water and chop with the metal blade in a food processor.
• Add all the other ingredients and process until smooth.
• Freeze in ice cream machine or freeze for about an hour in a freezer proof container, beat or process again, freeze and process again after another hour.
• If using fresh dates, put all the ingredients in the processor at the beginning. The dates can also be replaced by 250g soft pitted prunes.
• If unable to process during the freezing process, merely freeze in a narrow container and cut slices to serve.

BRANDIED-PRUNE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Simmer prunes and 1/2 cup brandy in large saucepan, covered, until brandy is absorbed, about 4 minutes. Cool.
• Place softened ice cream in large shallow plastic freezer container. Mix in prunes and remaining 2 tablespoons brandy. Cover and freeze. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Keep frozen.)