Friday

Lavender-Blueberry Ice Cream


Ooh la-la!
This is one my friend Jain (see Jain's fabulous blog here: http://onceinabluemooniris.blogspot.com/ ) introduced to a large group of us on a wonderful internet gardening site. Thank you Jain! It's about time to make it again, soon.


You won't believe the beautiful color and flavor of this delicious ice cream. If you are not fond of lavender you can reduce the amount, or leave it out--- the ice cream will still be gorgeous, the cinnamon is a wonderful compliment to the blueberries.


Lavender-Blueberry Ice Cream


1 cup blueberries, rinsed
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender blossoms
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups half-and-half

Special equipment you'll need:
Fine food sieve/strainer
Electric Blender
A large bowl filled half-way with plenty of ice and some water (to chill the ice cream mix before placing in the ice cream maker.)
An ice cream maker of at least 1 1/2 quart capacity


Method:

Making the Blueberry-Lavender mixture:

Place a 1- to 1 1/2-quart pan over medium-high heat, stir blueberries, sugar, and 1/2 cup water until berries begin to pop, 4 to 5 minutes. Then pour this mixture through a fine strainer set over a bowl to catch the liquid. Pour the blueberries into a blender and return berry syrup to the pan.

Add lavender to the berry syrup in the pan and stir over medium heat until syrup is infused with flavor, about 5 minutes. Using the sieve, strain the liquid into blender, pressing to extract liquid. Discard the lavender. Next add the cinnamon and vanilla to the blender and whirl until very smooth.

Chill it down:
Pour into a bowl, nest in ice water, and stir often until very cold, about 15 minutes or so.

Freezing the mixture:
Stir in half-and-half then pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker (1 1/2-qt. or larger capacity). Freeze according to manufacturer's directions until firm enough to scoop.

Serve right away, or transfer to a container and freeze, airtight, up to 1 week.



Thank you JAIN!
It's one of my favorite ice cream recipes ~
and the most beautiful, too.

16 comments:

  1. Magazine worthy:)

    I looked at my bits of lavender this morning on my way out the door and immediately thought of Jain's Blueberry Ice Cream..and my machine sitting idly this summer:(
    Where has summer gone..or going?

    Your photos reinforce the fact I need to crank the Cuisinart up for this heavenly concoction once again.

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  2. Monique.. has to learn to sign her name:)

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  3. ooh thanks for reminding me. I have to make this when I get back from my trip.

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  4. i am jealous how you make every thing so much better then me!

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  5. Lovely! I think of this every time I see my lavender plant. The color is gorgeous.

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  6. Soon I have to make another batch of this myself. Could there be anything prettier? Purple food from nature....can't get any better.

    Suzy

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  7. Has to be the most gorgeous ice cream I've ever seen!

    LOL, Monique! I think I am calling you anonymous from now on, LOLOL!

    My machine has dust on it!

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  8. I have used my machine once in a year...Shame shame on me..
    I think I will try w/o the lav, as I only have the kind in my garden, not culinary...Kathleen
    Are we always going to have to take the eye test to leave a comment??? ):

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  9. The color of your ice cream is absolutely gorgeous! Fabulous.

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  10. Such an unusual combination. I love it.

    Brilliant colour.

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  11. This is gorgeous! Lavender in food always makes me think of soap but I love cinnamon and blueberries together.

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  12. Wow! Looking good! I found your post through Tastespotting - the picture looks so good! I've never tasted lavendar ice cream before - but I'll have to!

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  13. That is simply gorgeous! The color is amazing! Wish I could taste a bite!

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  14. wow, great recipe, i like it, my family too.

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  15. Hmm... look very delicious. I wanna try.

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Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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