Neapolitan Banana Ice Cream Food

SUGAR WAFER NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Line the inside of an 8-inch round (3-quart) baking pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 3-inch overhang of wrap.
• Spread 1 pint of ice cream across the bottom of the prepared pan. Line the edge of the pan with a single layer of upright chocolate wafer cookies, pressing them all the way to the bottom so they sit firmly in the ice cream. Repeat with another circle of chocolate wafer cookies nestled against the first row. Arrange 2 circles of vanilla wafer cookies followed by 2 circles of strawberry wafer cookies. Fill the center hole with 2 to 3 strawberry wafer cookies.
• Spread the remaining ice cream over the top, tapping the pan on the counter lightly to makes sure the ice cream fills all the nooks and crannies (the ice cream should be quite soft--almost melted is okay). Pull the plastic wrap up and over to cover the top and freeze at least overnight and up to 2 weeks.
• When ready to serve, remove the cake from the freezer and let sit for 10 minutes to make unmolding easier. Beat the cream with the sugar until stiff peaks form. Put 1 cup of the whipped cream in a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip.
• Unwrap and invert the cake onto a serving dish. Frost with the remaining whipped cream, then use the whipped cream in the pastry bag to pipe stars on top and around the bottom of the cake. Decorate with the sprinkles.

NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM

Steps:

• For the custard base and vanilla ice cream layer: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the half-and-half and sugar. Stir it around to combine.
• Using a small paring knife, split the vanilla bean down the middle. Scrape out the caviar inside and add it to the pan along with the bean. Stir the mixture around and heat it up until it's hot but not boiling.
• Add the egg yolks to a medium bowl and whisk them vigorously until the yolks are slightly lighter in color, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the vanilla bean from the saucepan. Grab a ladle of the hot half-and-half mixture and drizzle it very slowly into the yolks, whisking constantly. This will temper the egg yolks so that they don't scramble when they're added to the saucepan. Add another ladle of the hot liquid, and when it's mixed in, pour the egg mixture slowly into the half-and-half mixture, stirring with a spoon until the mixture is thick and coating the spoon, 2 minutes or so.
• Set a fine-mesh strainer over a clean glass bowl and strain the custard. Don't worry if it looks a little lumpy! That just means you're perfectly imperfect. Add the heavy cream to the bowl and stir to combine. Divide the mixture into three pitchers; set aside one pitcher to work with for the chocolate ice cream layer, and chill the other two.
• For the chocolate ice cream layer: Melt the dark chocolate chips with the heavy cream over a double boiler. When the chocolate and cream mixture is smooth and melted, add 1 cup of the reserved custard and combine. Return this mixture back to the pitcher. (This step is to ease the mixing process to make it easier to pour back into the custard and could therefore be omitted.) Whisk the cocoa into the pitcher. Pour into an ice cream maker and churn as per the manufacturer's instructions. (This will take approximately 1 hour.)
• Line two 6-cup loaf pans with plastic wrap. Scoop half of the chocolate ice cream into each. Smooth them over and place in the freezer for at least 1 hour.
• To make the vanilla ice-cream layer, add the second pitcher of custard to the ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions. (Again, approximately 1 hour.)
• Remove the loaf pans from the freezer and spread half of the vanilla ice cream in each. Smooth and return to the freezer for at least 1 hour.
• For the strawberry ice cream layer: Combine the strawberries, sugar and red food coloring in a blender and puree until smooth (or you can stop just short of smooth if you want a little texture). Pour the pureed strawberries into the final third of the chilled custard mixtures and stir. Pour into the ice cream maker and churn.
• Remove the two pans from the freezer and scoop half of the strawberry ice cream into each, making the final layer. Smooth and return to the freezer for at least an hour.
• To serve: Remove the loaf pans from the freezer, turn them upside down onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Slice neatly with a knife that has been dipped in very hot water.

BANANA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place bananas in freezer and freeze overnight. Remove bananas from freezer and allow to thaw for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Peel bananas and place in bowl of food processor along with the lemon juice. Process for 10 to 15 seconds. Add corn syrup and vanilla bean seeds and turn processor on. Slowly pour in the heavy cream. Process until smooth. Chill mixture in refrigerator until it reaches 40 degrees. Transfer mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Place mixture in an airtight container and freeze for 3 to 6 hours before serving.

BANANA SPLIT DESSERT

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine crumbs and melted butter. Set aside 1/2 cup; press remaining crumbs into a 15x10x1-in. pan. Slice bananas widthwise and layer over crust. Cut ice cream widthwise into 10 slices; place over bananas. Spread edges of ice cream slices to cover banana and form a smooth layer. Sprinkle with nuts. Cover and freeze until firm. , In a large saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Pour over ice cream; freeze until firm. , In a large bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form; spread over chocolate layer. Top with reserved crumbs. Store in freezer (will keep for several weeks). Remove from freezer about 10 minutes before serving.