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Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato

July 28, 2015 by Susan S. Bradley

Strawberries and fresh basil are overflowing Portland farmers markets. Gelato time!

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaCafe

Portland, Oregon is ice cream and gelato country. No matter which direction I set out on my walk each day from Northwest PDX, I pass at least one ice cream or gelato shop along the way.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

The challenge is to walk by without stopping in for “just a taste.” One taste always leads to another taste, which always leads to a scoop each of two complementary flavors–one tart fruit based, the other cream based (as in sweet cream, cream cheese, crème fraiche, buttermilk, yogurt, sour cream, or mascarpone). It’s a perfect partnership.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

I actually prefer gelato to ice cream. Gelato is usually made with milk and only a small amount of cream, making it significantly lower in fat than ice cream, which is often made with much more cream. Less fat also means that fruit flavors really shine. Taste a strawberry ice cream with 16%-20% butterfat and then taste a strawberry gelato with only 12% butterfat. The difference in fruit intensity on the palate is pronounced.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

Another difference is that gelato is typically slow churned so that less air is whipped into the mix. Less air means a smoother, denser end product. Some folks like air fluffed ice cream, but I’m not one of them.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

Although Portland gelato is almost always creamy, dense, and delicious, gelato makers could be a bit more adventurous with their flavor combinations. Coconut is nice, but coconut with lime would be divine. And will some gelato maker in metropolitan Portland please-please make a dark chocolate with fresh rosemary gelato this summer? I’m willing to walk 2 miles in the blazing heat for that one.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

But in the meanwhile, strawberries and fresh basil are overflowing Northwest farmers markets. The flavor pairing is unusual and quite delicious, especially with the added tang of sour cream and lime, with just a hint of vanilla. You can make it yourself and relax with a pitcher of iced tea on the deck while the gelato hardens in the freezer. In the current heat wave, that might be a better idea than walking around town. Plus, you will find this intriquing flavor combination only in your own kitchen.

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato | LunaaCafe

Strawberry Basil Sour Cream Gelato

Gelato and ice cream are made by combining a basic custard sauce, optional extra cream, and flavorings, and then churning the mixture in an ice cream maker. There is really nothing more to it than that.

For this gelato, I used fresh, raw strawberries for the first test. The result was good, but for test two, I cooked the strawberries briefly and the flavor and color intensity were both enhanced. So that’s what I am specifying here.

Note   Do allow 6-8 hours to thoroughly chill the custard sauce plus several hours in the freezer after churning to harden the gelato. Ice cream or gelato made without stabilizers is best eaten within a two days after freezing.

1 pound fresh ripe strawberries, stemmed and sliced (3 cups stemmed and sliced)
¼ cup superfine sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 

½ ounce fresh basil (small handful of tender leaves without thick stems)

2 cups whole milk
4-inch piece vanilla bean, split
4 large egg yolks
½ cup superfine sugar

1 cup sour cream

  1. In a small saucepan, add the strawberries, ¼ cup sugar, and lime juice. Stir to combine and let macerate for 15 minutes. Put the pan over medium-low heat, cover partially, and cook gently for 8-10 minutes, until the strawberries are fully tender and the juices have thickened somewhat. Let cool.
  2. In a processor or blender, coarsely chop the strawberries and then add the basil and continue to finely chop. You want visible bits of strawberry and basil here, so don’t puree completely. Reserve.
  3. Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the milk in a large saucepan, add the scraped bean, and slowly bring to a bare simmer. Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Remove the bean, rinse and dry it, and save for another use.
  4. In a large, clean saucepan, whisk the egg yolks and remaining ½ cup sugar together just until well combined.
  5. Very gradually pour in the hot milk, stirring slowly with a wooden spoon to avoid activating the foam. If you add the hot milk to quickly, you will curdle the egg yolks. (You do not want to activate the foam.)
  6. Heat and keep stirring until the foam starts to subside. At 165° the foam should be fully incorporated. Continue cooking until the custard reaches 170°-175°. (The egg yolks will turn granular at 185°, just as they begin to simmer, so do not take the custard too near this temperature.)
  7. Quickly remove the pan from the heat, add the sour cream, and whisk the custard rapidly to cool. (You may also want to immerse the pan partially in a larger pan of ice water as a precautionary measure. It is a good idea to have such a pan ready, just in case.)
  8. Strain the sauce, if you wish, to rid it of egg white “watchamacallits.” (This really is a good idea, although many times I am in too much of a rush to bother with it. I have yet to run into one of those particularly unappetizing egg white goodies in my mouth, but I suppose I will one day if I do not abide by the rules—as might you!)
  9. In a large bowl, whisk together the custard sauce and strawberry mixture.
  10. Cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight.
  11. Using an ice cream maker, churn until set according to the manufacturers directions. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours to harden, and then serve within 24 hours.

Makes approximately 1 quart.

Copyright 2015 Susan S. Bradley. All rights reserved.

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Filed Under: Berries, Desserts, Fourth of July, Ice Cream, Spring & Summer Desserts, Strawberries, Summer Sizzle Tagged With: basil, dessert, gelato, ice cream, sour cream, Strawberries, Summer Sizzle

About Susan S. Bradley

Intrepid cook, food writer, culinary instructor, creator of the LunaCafe blog, author of Pacific Northwest Palate: Four Seasons of Great Cooking, and former director of the Northwest Culinary Academy.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel Lloyd

    July 31, 2015 at 9:57 am

    I love making ice cream! This is such a creative recipe. I bet it tastes even better with the weather we are having!

  2. Marlynn

    July 31, 2015 at 9:49 am

    I LOVE gelato compared to ice cream, and the strawberry + basil flavor pairing is one of my favorites! This looks amazing, Susan!
    Marlynn´s last blog post ..Easy Summer Side SaladsMy Profile

  3. Sabrina

    July 29, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    How creative and DELICIOUS!! I love this recipe!
    Sabrina´s last blog post ..Panda Express Zucchini & Mushroom Chicken #FoodieMamasMy Profile

  4. Neli

    July 29, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    This strawberry and basil gelato looks fantastic! I can have some right now 🙂 I love that you added step by step pictures!
    Neli´s last blog post ..Comment on One Skillet Chicken Puttanesca by Delicious Meets HealthyMy Profile

  5. Dee Dee

    July 29, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Holy cow, this looks incredible. There is a new ice cream and gelato shop here in San Antonio that plays with flavors that you wouldn’t think would go together (like strawberry and basil), and turns you into a believer quick. Love this version.

  6. Jenni

    July 29, 2015 at 1:41 pm

    Oh man… that looks and sounds divine! I love gelato and ice cream pretty equally… but, I’m totally with you that our local gelato makers can up their games a bit!
    Jenni´s last blog post ..Parmesan & Garlic Stuffed Grilled Artichokes RecipeMy Profile

  7. BlogToTaste Rosie

    July 29, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    So yum! I want Basil everythingI have a big pot of basil growing right outside my sliding glass door, everytime i walk out onto my patio the smell waifs my way, and I smile and dream of all things basil.

  8. Pech

    July 29, 2015 at 12:22 pm

    Wow, this sounds delicious! I love that you call out how much more flavorful and bold the flavors in gelato are, and you can get a lot of satisfaction from a smaller portion I think from gelato.
    Pech´s last blog post ..National Chicken Wing Day PDXMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      July 30, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Pech, yes, as much as I LOVE cream, fat coats the palate and decreases the intensity of the other flavors. I really want to TASTE the strawberries and basil. 🙂

  9. Kacey

    July 29, 2015 at 8:59 am

    Basil and strawberry?! Amazing pairing! I have never made a gelato before but it is time to give it a try!
    Kacey´s last blog post ..Homemade Hamburger Buns Infused with Lemon and BasilMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      July 30, 2015 at 11:05 am

      Kacey, do it! Nothing like homemade gelato and ice cream. 🙂

  10. Ali

    July 29, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I’ve been really into putting herbs in my berry concoctions this summer. This looks tasty and perfect for the upcoming heatwave!
    Ali´s last blog post ..Running Tips for the Post-Baby MamaMy Profile

  11. Melinda

    July 29, 2015 at 8:33 am

    Man, that looks good! And I think I even have all the ingredients in my fridge right now!
    Melinda´s last blog post ..Book Review: “The Interestings” by Meg WolitzerMy Profile

  12. kelsey

    July 29, 2015 at 8:27 am

    gosh that looks delicious!
    http://www.kelseymalie.com
    kelsey´s last blog post ..Happy Hour: Tequila & Watermelon Summer SplashMy Profile

  13. Manila Spoon

    July 29, 2015 at 7:30 am

    What a delicious combination of flavors you have here and a delicious way to use fresh market produce! This gelato looks divine!

  14. Susan S. Bradley

    July 31, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    Thanks so much, Kevin! At first bite, it’s surprising, then quickly addictive. I’m imagining a chevre panna cotta paired with a strawberry sauce and a basil sauce.

  15. Dana Zia

    July 27, 2010 at 10:32 am

    Ohhhhh, does this look cool and delicious! We were in Portland yesterday and ate ice cream at a new place on Mississippi called Ruby Jewel. Have you tried it yet? They have very interesting flavors like Honey Lavender and Caramel with salted dark chocolate. Go try it! You’ll like it! BTW, one can not make changes to their comments on your site. You have to erase the entire way back to get to your mistake. Just thought you’d like to know.
    Dana Zia´s last blog post ..Liliko’i bars for my sunny husband’s birthdayMy Profile

    • Susan S. Bradley

      July 27, 2010 at 2:57 pm

      Hi Dana! 🙂 Ruby Jewel is at the Portland Farmers Market every Saturday so that’s where I buy her wonderful ice cream sandwiches. I LOVE the Honey Lavender. I didn’t know that she has a new shop on Mississippi. Love to shop that street so will definitely find her next time we are there. Also, thanks for the heads up on the Comment functionality. MauiJim promises to look into it and hopefully make it behave properly.

  16. Suzy

    July 26, 2010 at 9:31 pm

    I definitely need to give this a try. I looks and sounds amazing! Basil tastes good with so many things!

    • Susan S. Bradley

      July 27, 2010 at 3:10 pm

      Suzy, it’s quite refreshing and intriquing as well. I am tasting basil with everything these days, to see for myself what it partners well with. I tasted it with the Peanut Butter Caramel last night and it was actually quite nice. 🙂

  17. Krista

    July 26, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    This is BRILLIANT!!! Ohh, I can’t stop smiling when I think of it. What an absolutely marvelous combination of ingredients. 🙂
    Krista´s last blog post ..Cary Grant- A Picnic and Broccoli Cheddar QuicheMy Profile

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    February 1, 2015 at 10:47 am

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