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I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for Parsley Ice Cream since I first purchased David Lebovitz’s The Perfect Scoop. I’m really not sure why I waited this long. The ingredients are cheap and accessible and the process is fairly standard (in terms of ice cream making). This past weekend, I finally decided to give the recipe a go. Results: delicious and unexpected. Vibrant parsley is blended into a French custard base then churned into a cool, refreshing treat. Be sure to use flat leaf parsley rather than curly parsley. Flat leaf parsley has a slight anise flavor that works well in the sweets arena. Pair this ice cream with fresh berries for a well-rounded springtime dessert. So, so tasty. Continue reading for the recipe.
Parsley Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed flat leaf parsley
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Pinch of fine grain sea salt
- 2 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way with water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath by filling a bowl with cold water and ice. Set aside.
- Once the water has come to a boil, add the parsley and cook for 10 seconds (aka blanching). Using a large slotted spoon, transfer parsley from the boiling water to the ice bath to halt the cooking process. Let the parsley sit in the water for 1 minute, then remove and dry. I would recommend squeezing the parsley tightly in your hand to extract as much water was possible. Then place on a paper towel lined plate and press with another paper towel to remove any remaining moisture.
- Add parsley and 3/4 cup half and half to a blender*. Puree on high until the parsley is very finely ground (about 1 minute). Scrape the parsley mixture into a large bowl and set a mesh basket strainer on top.
- Add the remaining 3/4 cup half and half to a small saucepan with the sugar and fine grain sea salt. Bring mixture to just below a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar (the liquid should just begin to bubble).
- Meanwhile, whisk the large egg yolks in a bowl until slightly thickened. Slowly, while whisking, pour the hot milk mixture into the yolks. Take your time here so you don’t scramble the egg (this process is known as tempering). Once tempered, return the egg-cream mixture to the saucepan.
- Put the saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. You will know the custard is thick enough when you see steam rise from the surface and the custard coats the spoon. Pour the custard through the mesh basket strainer into the bowl with the parsley mixture. Place the bowl in the previously used ice bath and stir until cool.
- Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Freeze custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Notes
I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Sweetlifebake says
how unique, i love the color!!!
sweetlife
Farida Winarni says
That is great recipe for ice cream and look so sweet and fresh, thanks for share
farida
http://kitchensuperfood.com/ice-cream-history-and-folklore/
Jackie says
Parsley ice-cream?! How bizarre and completely intriguing! I definitely want to try this, especially now that the sun is finally poking its head out in London…
Jax x
Anonymous says
Yay sun!! Welcome the warm weather with a bowl of homemade ice cream 🙂
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
This is gorgeous ice cream! Not what I would have thought of at all!
Belinda @zomppa says
So unusual – seems so light and refreshing – cool colors, too!
eliotseats says
I had the most spectacular cilantro-pineapple sorbet at Glace in KC. I wonder if I could adapt this recipe and blend in these two ingredients? Thoughts?
Anonymous says
I’m sure parsley pineapple would work. Or maybe you could try parsley lemon sorbet? Please let me know if you do!
the parsley thief says
Oh my! Never even knew you could make ice cream with parsley! Given the name of my blog, you can assume I would love to try some!
-Kate @ The Parsley Thief
Anonymous says
Yes, you will definitely have to give this a try.
anonymous says
These are great. Especially the ice cream looks delish! I would love to have one right now. It reminds me of some of the great deserts I saw on Extreme Chef http://www.facebook.com/pages/Extreme-Chef/195324160502642 Great job! 🙂
Nicole says
Extreme Chef looks so epic!! I’ll definitely tune in on Sunday, June 26th for the sneak peek on the Food Network at 10:30 !!! SO EXCITED
Mona says
I am not sure how to give credit for something borrowed in a blog, but here is what I did
http://diaryofafoodierd.com/
Thank you for the recipe
Mona