Black Walnut Ice Cream

Back

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup hot water

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar, forced through a sieve

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

2 Tbs. rum

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 o 3/4 cup finely chopped black walnuts plus

1/2 to 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Preparation:

In a deep, heavy skillet cook the granulated sugar over moderately high heat, stirring constantly with a fork, until it is melted completely and a deep golden caramel. Remove the skillet from the heat, into the side of the skillet pour the water carefully, a little at a time, and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, until the caramel is dissolved.

In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the whole eggs, the egg yolks, and the salt until the mixture is thick and pale; beat in the brown sugar, a little at a time, and beat the mixture until a ribbon forms when the beaters are lifted. In a large heavy saucepan scald the cream and the milk. With the motor running at low speed, add the scalded cream mixture slowly to the egg mixture, combining the mixture well, and pour the mixture into the pan. Whisk in the caramel syrup.

Cook the custard over low heat, stirring constantly, until it registers 140˚ on a candy thermometer and cook it, stirring, for 3 minutes more. Remove the pan from the heat, set it in a large bowl of ice and cold water, and let the custard cool, stirring occasionally. Stir in the rum, vanilla, and the finely chopped black walnuts and chill the custard, covered, until it is cold.

Freeze the custard in an ice cream freezer according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it is frozen partially. Add the coarsely chopped walnuts, and freeze the mixture until it is frozen. Transfer the ice cream to freezer containers and freeze it for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to develop. 

History:
Recipe from Gourmet Magazine, October 1992, page 187. Black walnuts can be bought from:

Missouri Dandy Pantry

212 Hammons Drive East

Stockton, MO 65785

(800) 872-6879

Dad and I used to buy black walnut ice cream cones when we went to Las Vegas.

 

Dad helped me plant this avocado tree when it was in a 4-inch pot. The first avocados produced on the tree were the year that Dad died (2005). I always assumed he helped it along from his side of the world. Dad always provided us avocados from his tree.