Because this ice cream uses so few ingredients, wait until the depths of summer, when you can get really good, sweet, plump ears of corn. Taste a kernel before committing yourself. If your ears are on the less sweet side, save them for the savory parts of the meal where it matters a little less. The blackberry sauce, flavored with verbena, is a wonderful topping for this ice cream, but you could use fudge instead. Even unadorned, this ice cream deserves to be the golden finale.
Ingredients
- 4 ears fresh corn, shucked
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 225 grams granulated sugar (about 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
- 6 large egg yolks
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 sprigs lemon verbena or 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 ½ cups blackberries (about 6 ounces)
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)
623 calories; 39 grams fat; 22 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 64 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 50 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 304 milligrams cholesterol; 180 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
1 1/2 pints
Preparation
- Using a large knife, slice the kernels off the corn cobs and place in a large saucepan. Break cobs in half and add to pot along with milk, cream and 110 grams (1/2 cup) sugar. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring, then remove from heat. Let stand to infuse for 1 hour, then discard corn cobs.
- Using an immersion or regular blender, purée kernel mixture. Return mixture to a simmer, then turn off heat. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolks, 1/8 teaspoon salt and another 55 grams ( 1/4 cup) of sugar. Add a cup of hot cream mixture to yolks, stirring constantly so they don’t curdle. Add yolk mixture to saucepan, stirring. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens enough to coat the spoon, about 10 minutes.
- Pass custard through a fine sieve, pressing down hard on the solids. Discard solids. Whisk in sour cream until smooth. Let custard cool in an ice bath, then cover and chill for at least 4 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine remaining 60 grams sugar (5 tablespoons), lemon verbena (or zest) and 1/4 cup water and bring to a simmer. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar melts and syrup thickens slightly, about 7 minutes. Add blackberries and cook for 5 to 7 minutes longer, until fruit just softens, but doesn’t fall apart. Let cool, then discard verbena.
- Freeze corn mixture in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve with blackberries and syrup on top.
Dining and Cooking