This creamy and dreamy Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream combines the sweet, fruity flavor of strawberries with the luxurious aroma of vanilla bean. A perfect summer treat! Ingredients:
For the Ice Cream Base:
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean (split and seeds scraped)
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Puree:
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and chopped)
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice Instructions:
Prepare the Strawberry Puree:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook until the strawberries break down and form a thick sauce (about 10 minutes). Mash slightly for a textured puree or blend until smooth. Cool completely. Make the Ice Cream Base:
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, and the seeds from the vanilla bean. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours to chill. Churn the Ice Cream:
Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 20-25 minutes). Add the Strawberry Puree:
In the last 5 minutes of churning, slowly add the cooled strawberry puree to create beautiful swirls of flavor throughout the ice cream. Freeze the Ice Cream:
Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container, smooth the top, and cover. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm. Serve and Enjoy:
Scoop into bowls or cones and delight in the combination of fruity strawberry and rich vanilla bean flavors! Tip: Garnish with fresh strawberries or a drizzle of strawberry sauce for extra flair.
Ingredients
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- 2 liters of milk
- 50 milliliters of white vinegar
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- 100 grams of butter
- 200 grams of mozzarella cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
- Salt to taste
- 1 empty plastic bottle
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Milk
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- Heat the milk: Pour the 2 liters of milk into a large saucepan. Slowly heat the milk over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Monitor the temperature: Heat the milk until it reaches a temperature of about 85°C (185°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can look for small bubbles forming along the edges of the milk. It should be hot but not boiling.
Step 2: Curdling the Milk
- Add vinegar: Once the milk has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and immediately add the 50 milliliters of white vinegar. Stir gently for a few seconds, then let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes. The vinegar will cause the milk to curdle, separating into curds (the solid part) and whey (the liquid part).
- Watch for separation: After a few minutes, you should notice the curds forming. The curds will be white and soft, while the whey will appear as a yellowish liquid.
Step 3: Strain the Curds
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- Drain the whey: Using a slotted spoon or a strainer, carefully remove the curds from the pot. Let the curds drain in a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth. You can also gently press on the curds to remove excess whey.
- Transfer to a plastic bottle: To form the mozzarella, transfer the drained curds into an empty plastic bottle. This will help to shape and compact the cheese.
Step 4: Add Butter and Mozzarella
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- Melt the butter: In a small pan, melt 100 grams of butter until it’s completely liquid.
- Mix with curds: Pour the melted butter over the curds inside the plastic bottle. This will give the cheese a rich, creamy texture. Optionally, you can also add 200 grams of shredded mozzarella cheese to enhance the flavor and texture of the final product.
- Add salt: Add salt to taste at this stage, mixing it into the curds.
Step 5: Shape and Compact the Cheese
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- Compress the cheese: After adding the butter, tightly close the plastic bottle and gently shake it to ensure that the curds, butter, and mozzarella (if added) are evenly mixed.
- Shape the mozzarella: Use the bottle to help mold the cheese into a compact shape. You can roll it in your hands or shape it within the bottle for a uniform texture.
- Let it sit: Leave the cheese inside the bottle for at least 1–2 hours to firm up. For best results, refrigerate the cheese during this time.
Step 6: Remove and Serve
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- Unmold the cheese: Once the mozzarella has set, carefully cut the plastic bottle open to release the cheese. You should have a firm but soft mozzarella ball ready to slice and serve.
- Slice and enjoy: Your homemade mozzarella is now ready! Slice it into rounds and enjoy it in salads, sandwiches, or melted on your favorite pizza.
Cooking Tips
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- Use full-fat milk: Whole milk will give you the best results for rich, creamy mozzarella. Avoid using ultra-pasteurized milk as it may not curdle properly.
- Vinegar substitute: If you don’t have white vinegar, you can use lemon juice as an alternative. The acid in lemon juice will also help to curdle the milk.
- Kneading the curds: After straining the curds, you can knead them gently before shaping them. This will give the cheese a smoother texture.
- Flavor variations: Add herbs like fresh basil, oregano, or garlic powder to the curds for a flavored mozzarella.
Storage
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- Refrigeration: Store the mozzarella in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last up to 5–7 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze mozzarella for longer storage. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw the cheese in the fridge when you’re ready to use it.
- Storing in whey: For softer mozzarella, store the cheese in the leftover whey in the fridge. This keeps the cheese moist and preserves its flavor.
Nutritional Facts (per 100g serving)
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- Calories: 290 kcal
- Protein: 20g
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- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5g
- Calcium: 400mg
- Sodium: 450mg