Homemade Strawberry Basil Ice Cream Recipe 415

Steps:

• Place the half-and-half, basil, sugar, salt and egg yolks in a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a double boiler, and heat, stirring constantly, until the eggs just begin to thicken and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a metal bowl. Set the bowl in an ice water bath to rapidly chill.
• Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze until ready to use.

Steps:

• Cook the strawberry mixture over med-low heat, stirring often, till the strawberries are softened, approx. 4-5 min. Mash with a potato masher or the back of a fork till they are roughly mashed. Reduce heat & simmer till the mixture is reduced slightly. Pour into a sm. liquid measuring cup, cover & refrigerate. Add the cream, milk, sugar & sea salt to a pot. Finely chop the basil, bruising & pressing it to release the oils. Add it to the pot. Warm the mixture over med-low heat, stirring often. Cook till the sugar is dissolved, approx. 5 min. Remove from heat & let steep for 15-20 min. Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a lg. liquid measuring cup to strain out the basil. Press the basil leaves with a wooden spoon to release any extra liquid & as much flavor as possible. Cover & refrigerate. Refrigerate till the ingredients are very cold; at least afew hours or overnight. Begin by churning & freezing the base till it reaches about the halfway point (approx. 10 min.). Then add in the strawberry mixture & continue to churn till it reaches the desired consistency (approx. 10 more min.). Place in a freezer container & freeze for another few hours or overnight before serving.