It has been more than 6 months since our last ice cream entry so I believe it is time to fire up the ice cream machine again! Today’s ice cream will be a bit more on the savory side, but still using blackberry for the swirl.
Thyme is sold both fresh and dried. Fresh thyme is more flavorful, but less convenient (storage life is rarely more than a week). Summer-seasonal, fresh greenhouse thyme is available year round. A recipe may measure thyme by the bunch, by the sprig or by the tablespoon and teaspoon. The leaves may be removed from the stems by scraping with the back of a knife, or by pulling through the fingers or tines of a fork. For this recipe we will be using whole sprigs of thyme.
Honey-Thyme-Orange Ice Cream with Blackberry–Goat Cheese Swirl Recipe
2 cups whole milk
4 cups heavy cream
6 large sprigs fresh thyme
1 cinnamon stick
¼ cup orange flavor liquor
8 egg yolks
1 cup honey
2 pints of blackberries
3 cups of sugar
6 tbsp of creamy goat cheese
We are going to start this recipe by bringing the milk/cream to a simmer. Once it starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add the thyme and cinnamon stick. Cover the pot and steep for 30 minutes.
While that is steeping, combine the blackberries and 1 cup of sugar in a mixing bowl. Set mixture over a pot of simmering water and let it cook for 15 minutes. Once the time is up, puree the blackberry mixture and strain into a bowl with the goat cheese. My preference on goat cheese to use is the Laura Chenel brand. Mix them until they are completely combined, then cool in the refrigerator.
Next step is to combine the egg yolks, remaining sugar, orange liquor and honey in a mixer and whip until it becomes light and fluffy. Slowly whisk a cup of the hot mixture (milk/cream, thyme, and cinnamon stick) into the yolk mixture, tempering, and bring the temperature of the yolk up without cooking it as you add it back into the remaining hot mixture.
On medium low heat, start to cook the custard while constantly scraping the bottom with a rubber spatula until it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon evenly without immediately falling off. Strain the custard through a strainer into a bowl set over an ice bath and stir until completely cooled.
Fire up the ice cream machine! Process the ice cream according to the manufacturer’s directions. As you are removing the finished ice cream from the machine, drizzle the blackberry goat cheese throughout and stir a few times to make swirls.
Hope you enjoy this delicious treat!
Crafted Creations 