Recipe: Fresh Fig Gelato with Orange and Cinnamon (ice cream maker)

FRESH FIG GELATO WITH ORANGE AND CINNAMON

1 pound fresh figs, chopped
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup light brown sugar, divided use
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy (whipping) cream
3 large egg yolks, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch kosher salt

Place figs, orange juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and cinnamon in a small pan and cook over low heat until the figs have softened, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness of the skin.

Mash until the mixture is almost pureed but still has some texture. Set aside until it reaches room temperature. Cover and refrigerate.

In the meantime, place milk, cream and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar in a small pan and cook over low heat, whisking from time to time, until it is warm, about 175 degrees F.

Place egg yolks, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, vanilla and salt in a small metal bowl and whisk until completely mixed. Add 1/4 of the warm milk mixture to the eggs, whisking all the while. Continue adding milk to the eggs, 1/4 cup at a time, until you have added about 1 1/2 cups.

Slowly, whisking all the while, return the now milk-and-egg mixture to the remaining milk mixture in the pan and continue cooking until it just begins to thicken or reaches about 185 degrees. Do not allow the mixture to boil.

Pour through a medium fine strainer into a metal bowl, discard the solids and set aside until it reaches room temperature.

Add the cooled fig mixture. Cover and refrigerate until it reaches 40 degrees, about 3 hours.

Transfer to an ice cream maker and proceed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Makes 1 1/2 to 2 pints
From: Judy Walker, Food editor, The Times-Picayune July 09, 2008
Source: Recipe of the Week: Ice Cream, 52 Easy Recipes for Year-Round Frozen Treats by Sally Sampson