Homemade Prune Ice Cream
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 pints (750ml) whole milk
1 can of condensed milk (440g /14oz)
3 egg yolks
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon of cornflour (cornstarch)
1 cup of chopped, stoned prunes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method: Measure 1 and 1/4 pints milk (1250 ml), leaving 1/4 pint (250ml) for use later, and pour into a saucepan with the condensed milk and vanilla essence.
Heat over a low heat, stirring occasionally until reaching boiling point. Having already mixed the cornflour, egg yolks and remaining milk together, stir this into the pan mixture then add the prunes. Stir until it starts to thicken, then remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to completely cool.
Take the egg whites, beat until stiff and then fold into the cooled prune mixture.
Transfer the complete mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Serves 8
Once you've made your prune ice cream, you need to think about ways in which to serve it. Ideally you would make a sundae - eg. 2 scoops of freshly made ice cream, a little chopped fresh fruit (apricots and pears work well with prune flavor) and top it off with some whipped cream and flaked almonds.
One of the most unusual and delicious ice creams I have come across was in France in Rocamadour. It was made from chopped prunes and a locally made 'old prune gin'. It was sweet tasting, boozy and yet a very pleasant flavor and it's great to think that someone had the nerve to try it out in an ice cream parlor.
Here is a list of other unusual recipes for homemade ice cream. If you think prune flavor is unusual then you'll think again once you've read the list!