Saffron And Almond Ice Cream Dessert Food

CHOCOLATE, COCONUT AND ALMOND CHICKPEA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Put the coconut milk, chickpeas, dates, almond butter and vanilla in a blender. Blend, stopping and scraping down the sides of the carafe with a rubber spatula as needed, until very smooth, about 1 minute. It's ok if there are some specks from the almond butter and dates, but it should be smooth and similar in texture to a thick milkshake.
• Meanwhile, combine the baking chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Pour a third of the chickpea mixture into a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, then drizzle over a third of the chocolate mixture, making sure to go all the way to the edges. Pour another third of the chickpea mixture into the pan, then drizzle another third of the chocolate mixture over the top. Add the remaining chickpea mixture, then top with the last of the chocolate mixture. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and freeze until firm throughout, at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
• Let the ice cream sit at room temperature to soften before scooping, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of toasted coconut chips.

SAFFRON ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Warm the milk, cream, and sugar in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the saffron. Pour into a small bowl and steep in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
• Strain the saffron-infused mixture into a medium saucepan. Rescue the threads of saffron and put them in a medium bowl. Set the strainer over the top.
• Rewarm the saffron-infused mixture. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm saffron mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
• Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a heatproof spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. Pour the custard through the strainer and stir to incorporate the saffron threads. Stir until cool over an ice bath.
• Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to scrape off any saffron threads stuck to the dasher and stir them back into the frozen ice cream.
• To make Saffron-Pine Nut Ice Cream, add 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (see page 13) to the ice cream during the last 5 minutes of churning.
• Serve Saffron Ice Cream with Vanilla-Poached Quince. To poach the quince, for 6 to 8 servings you need to start out with 3 quinces (2 pounds, 1 kg). Peel and quarter the quinces, then remove the seeds and cores with a melon baller. In a nonreactive saucepan, heat 1 1/2 cups (300 g) sugar, 4 cups (1 liter) water, and 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise. While the syrup is heating, cut the quinces into 1-inch (3-cm) slices.
• Add the quince slices to the syrup, cover with a round of parchment paper, and cook at a gentle simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the quince slices are rosy and tender. Let cool to room temperature, then serve the quince slices with a scoop of Saffron Ice Cream and some of the delicious poaching liquid, which can be reduced to a thick syrup before serving.

SAFFRON AND TOASTED ALMOND ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine milk and half of the sugar in a large saucepan and heat gently.
• Place the almonds on a sheet pan and toast in the oven, shaking the pan occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until almonds are light brown.
• Add the almonds immediately to the milk and sugar mixture. Once the milk mixture comes to a gentle boil, remove from the heat, cover and let steep 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, place the milk mixture on low heat. While this is heating, combine the remaining sugar with the egg yolks and either by hand or with an electric mixer, whisk until the eggs become pale in color, about 3 minutes. Slowly drizzle a little of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture to increase the temperature of the yolk mixture. Next, slowly whisk the yolk mixture into the milk mixture. Cook the mixture over a low heat, stirring constantly. Once the mixture has thickened and coats the back of the spoon, about 3 to 5 minutes, remove from heat and strain through a find sieve into a high-sided canister. Add the saffron and amaretto and place in a large bowl of ice water. Stir occasionally and when completely cool, place in an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's directions. The texture will then be best if you transfer the ice cream to another container and place in freezer for at least 3 hours or overnight.

SAFFRON AND ALMOND ICE CREAM DESSERT

Steps:

• 1. In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in the cream (or milk) about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small nonstick skillet, dry-roasts the sliced almonds, stirring, over medium heat until golden, about 1 minute. Let cool and reserve for garnish.2. In a spice or coffee grinder, grind together the blanched almonds, pistachios, and ground cardamom seeds to make as fine as possible. (Or grind each separately, then mix together well.) Place rounded scoops of vanilla ice cream on a platter, top with the ground nut and seed mixture, and drizzle with the saffron milk. Scatter the dry-roasted almonds on top, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.