Lemon Verbena Ice Cream From A French Country Herb Garden Food

LEMON VERBENA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, warm the lemon verbena leaves with the milk, 1/2 cup (125ml) of the cream, the sugar, and a pinch of salt.
• Once warm, remove from heat, cover, and let steep for one hour.
• To make the ice cream custard, pour the remaining cream into a large bowl set in a larger bowl of ice water, and put a mesh strainer on top.
• Use a strainer or slotted spoon to skim the lemon verbena from the cream & milk mixture and squeeze the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible back into the saucepan, then discard them. Rewarm the lemon verbena-infused cream & milk, then
• In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together in a small bowl and slowly pour in the warm infusion, whisking constantly.
• Scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan and cook, stirring continuously with a heatproof spatula, until the custard leaves a trail on the spatula when you drag your finger across it. (If using a thermometer, it should read about 175ºF, or 79ºC.)
• Immediately strain the custard into the bowl of cream. Stir until cool.
• Chill thoroughly, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. When done, crumble a dried verbena leaf in the ice cream, or finely-chop a fresh leaf and stir that in.

MIXED BERRIES WITH LEMON VERBENA CREAM

Steps:

• Mix 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon lemon verbena in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and cool completely. Strain syrup into bowl.
• Mix 2 tablespoons cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons lemon verbena in small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cover and let cool 30 minutes. Strain into small bowl; chill.
• Stir in remaining 1 cup chilled cream.
• Whip verbena cream in medium bowl until peaks form. Divide whipped verbena cream among 4 small bowls. Toss berries and verbena syrup in large bowl. Divide berries among 4 plates. Sprinkle with sugar and serve with whipped verbena cream. (Verbena syrup and verbena cream can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

LEMON VERBENA ICE CREAM FROM A FRENCH COUNTRY HERB GARDEN

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, warm the lemon verbena leaves with all of the milk, 100ml of the cream and the sugar Press the leaves with the back of a wooden spoon to help the flavours release. Once warm, remove from heat, cover, and let steep for one to two hours.
• To make the ice cream custard, pour the remaining cream into a large bowl set in a larger bowl of ice water, and put a sieve on top.
• Use a strainer or slotted spoon to skim the lemon verbena from the milk and squeeze the leaves to extract as much liquid as possible back into the saucepan, then discard them. Reheat the lemon verbena infusion then whisk the eggs together and slowing pour in the warm infusion, whisking constantly.
• Scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan and cook, stirring continuously with a heatproof spatula, until the custard leaves a clear path on the spatula when you drag your finger across it.
• Immediately strain the custard into the bowl of cool cream and stir well until cool.
• Chill thoroughly, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Serve with fresh leaves for garnish and a little lemon syrup drizzled over for a flavour explosion!

LEMON VERBENA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Bring verbena, milk, cream, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, then remove from heat and let steep, covered, 30 minutes.
• Whisk together eggs and sugar until combined, then whisk in verbena mixture. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until custard thickens slightly and registers 175°F on an instant-read thermometer (do not let boil).
• Immediately strain thourough a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on and then discarding solids. Cool custard, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes, then chill, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours.
• Freeze custard in ice cream maker, then transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, about 1 hour.

LEMON VERBENA DRINK

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil and remove from heat.
• Add lemon verbena, mint and honey.
• Infuse for 10 minutes, then strain.
• Cool and serve over ice.