LAVENDER DREAM

...and its ice cream!

My floral self again...
A really easy floral ice cream, made with fresh or dried lavender flowers.

Years ago, I had a really bad experience with lavender sorbet.It reminded me of the lavender detergent we used in my childhood to clean the loos. 
After some research I found the below recipe. Its simple and delicious and, provided you aren't one of those unfortunate people allergic to lavender, will leave your palate cleansed.
For those of you who have an ice cream churner there is a beautiful velvet version and for those of you who don't, a wonderful  "cheats version." 

Why lavender? Because it soothes...


*Please note ingestion of lavender should be avoided when pregnant or breast feeding

Lavender Dream Ice Cream..for churner owners
Recipe adapted from HappyLavender.com

1 1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 cup fresh lavender flowers, washed and patted dry
( you can use dried, buy them from an Organic Shop...I get mine from Bio Chartrons, Cours Portal, Bordeaux)
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/2 cup fine sugar
pinch of salt
2 cups heavy cream

Gently heat milk, lavender and the vanilla bean until warm, but not boiling.  
Using a strainer, strain the milk into a bowl, stir in the salt, sugar while still warm.
Stir in the cream and chill the  mixture for at least 2 hours until cold.
Churn chilled mixture in an ice cream maker.
Just before the ice cream finishes churning, toss in a few fresh lavender buds.





Cheats Version

1 litre heavy cream
1 1/2 cups  sweetened condensed milk
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/2 cup lavender flowers

Whip cream with vanilla sugar until thick but NOT whipped. 
 Use a wooden spoon to fold in condenced milk then all other ingredients. 
Place in moulds or a large container. Freeze. Its useful to go every hour and gently turn over. Yield, around 1 1/2 litres. I make this the evening for the next day.

Comments

  1. Deb30 April 2010 at 12:29

    Can not wait to try your lavender ice cream recipe. How can I use dried lavender please?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Susie @ DesperateAngloHousewives, Bordeaux30 April 2010 at 12:31

    Deb, For dried lavender make sure its bought from a food shop preference organic. Throw the flowers into warm water to relax them then strain and pat dry. Dried is fine but fresh will always be better.
    Susie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gina1 May 2010 at 21:47

    Suzie, made this lavender ice cream with real flowers..nothing short of awesome. Thank you. So . Much.!!!!!!
    WHEN are you going to put our your own recipe slash life book?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rachel2 May 2010 at 14:34

    Love the lavender ice cream.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Margaret29 July 2010 at 08:40

    Suzie last night I made your lavendar ice cream, the churner version. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and refined desserts. Thank you so much for your original, palette exciting ideas.Really missing your posts and am clearly not your only reader who pines for a book from you. Have you ever considered a book project?

    ReplyDelete

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