Wednesday, 30 May 2007

Date, Rum and Pecan Ice Cream

Date, Rum and Pecan Ice Cream
I have been anticipating this book for a few months now, and eventually ordered it from America, so that I could have it in my grasp more quickly. The book in question? None other than The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz. I have six other pure ice cream books, some I have used more than others, and I did wonder do I really need another one? I swept this particular thought to the back of my mind (very quickly!) and ploughed on in my pursuit of ice cream.

Then the day came and it arrived, I tell you I NEED this book, anyone with an ice cream maker or a strong urge for the icy stuff needs it too! I have often read about people who love ice cream above all else, and I have never thought I was one of them, but now I am wondering if perhaps I might be. It’s divided up into chapters for Basics, Ice Creams, Sorbets and Sherbets, Granitas, Sauces and Toppings, Mix-Ins and Vessels. As an aside, I made the baked version of dulce de leche (from the Sauces and Toppings chapter). It tasted like Scottish tablet but with the texture something akin to a quivering panna cotta, if you are ever in need of a sugar fix this is the ultimate – condensed milk baked until it is golden and caramelised, oh boy! It didn’t make it to a sundae, we just spooned it from the dish.

There was no question in my mind of which ice cream to make first – date, rum and pecan ice cream just the name hit all the right buttons for me, and so I made it. It was absolutely perfect! The man is an absolute genius! It was just so good, and because the rum was in the egg custard as well as soaked into the dates, the taste of the rum never disappeared even with the last bite, the dates adding a good toffee element and pecans to give a nice bite. I don’t think I would have come up with the date / rum / pecan combo, but I’m so glad David did. Keith said he thinks this might be his very favourite ice cream ever, and I won’t embarrass him by telling you how many scoops he ate at the first sitting - but it was a lot!

There are a few savoury ice creams which I’m not ready for (yet), but next on my list of to makes are apricot and pistachio ice cream, toasted coconut ice cream swirled with mango sorbet, green tea ice cream and orange popsicle ice cream, but this is just a taster of 4 out of 32 others! So expect to see more over the next few weeks!

This is my contruibution to Meeta’s Big Birthday Bang . Happy Birthday, the party will go with a swing with this ice cream!

16 comments:

Amanda at Little Foodies said...

The baked version of dulce de leche sounds incredible as does this. When things were getting tough in my former office life, I used to buy a tub of ice cream, close the door and scoop the cold stuff until I felt better. It took years of therapy to get over this, she said for comedic effect, but maybe a therapist would have been good, we could have eaten ice cream together. Now you see why I don't buy myself another ice cream maker!)

Peabody said...

Oh yum, what great flavor combo.

Cheryl said...

I stink at making ice cream, even though I have a nice ice cream maker. This beautiful creation makes me want to give it a good old fashion try again.

It looks perfect.

Brilynn said...

This is an ice cream I know I would love!
I just recently made fig and armagnac ice cream and it was really good too.

Deborah said...

I just got my book last Saturday and have already made 2 of the recipes!! I am in love!! My first attempt (vanilla) is posted on my blog, but I still need to post the mango sorbet I made last night. YUMMMMM!

vonsachsen said...

I saw your ice cream when I was at work, and I have been whining the whole day that I want ice cream. My collegue wasn´t too happy and I feel that I have to buy an ice cream maker soon. This looks and sounds wonderful as I just loove rum!

Maggie said...

When it stops raining I will bring the ice cream maker out of the cupboard, until then I will share some of yours. I love the flavour combination. Thank you for sharing this with us.

karen said...

Wow! That looks great! Is there a brand of ice cream maker that you suggest?

Meeta K. Wolff said...

I love the book. and have had my eye on this very same recipe. But kept getting sidetracked with other recipes in the book too. LOL! i am glad you brought this to the MM though. Thank you so much!

Freya said...

This is one mother of an ice cream! I have read about that ice cream book a lot recently and it seems like I really need to get myself a copy!

Paola Westbeek said...

Whoa! That looks sinfully delicious! I love all three flavors so I bet this would be quite something! A few months ago I made ice cream with sherry and raisins (Malaga) and it was one of the best ice creams I've ever made. Nothing like boozey ice cream!

paola

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

This would seem to be a really rocking ice cream! Save me a bowl please!

Kelly-Jane said...

Amanda, ice cream is a great soother, cools the brain! Maybe you better hold off that ice cream maker for a while yet ;)

Peabody, that's what I though, it just had to be tried :)

Cheryl, What goes wrong? Give it another try, I'm sure it'll come ok in the end!

Brilynn, fig and armagnac sounds gorgeous!

Deborah, I read your post great about it, and I wanted to gush a lot on David's site about it too, but I was a bit worried I'd come across as a crazed (ice cream) stalker :)

Eva, haha LOL!

Maragert, big scoop here for you!

Midwestmaven, Hi and welcome. I've got a Gaggia, but I had a cheaper one before it where there is a canister that you freeze. Can't remember the brand of the first one, and I gave it away so can't check. I really like the Gaggia, such smooth ice cream!

Meeta, this is my first MM, hope you have a great party. It's really hard working out what to make next, there are just so many great recipes in there.

Freya, you need a copy, you do!

Paola, you are right a boozy ice cream is so good. I remember your sherry raisin one, and I have it marked to try :)

Tanna, a big bowl coming right up!

KJxx

Shaun said...

Kelly-Jane - Yeah, ever since Eric and I bought an ice cream maker a year ago, we have become far more passionate about making ice cream. You are one of a growing group that has glowering reviews for the Lebowitz ice cream book. I am not the biggest fan of rum, but it always seems to work with fruit and in ice cream. You have convinced me to give this a go and to get the book.

Anonymous said...

Oh delicious! Don't you love being able to make ice cream this fantastic at home?

Helene said...

It sounds so good....Reminds me of Haagen Daaz Rum-Raisin, but way better!