Saint Vincent Nutmeg Ice Cream
A rich and creamy homemade ice cream infused with the warm, aromatic spice of freshly grated nutmeg, a staple spice in the Caribbean.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2.5 cups Whole milk
- 1.5 cups Heavy cream
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 3 large Egg yolks
- 1 tsp Freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
💡 Tip: Heating the milk and cream helps to dissolve the sugar and temper the egg yolks. - 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, half of the sugar (1/2 cup), freshly grated nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt until pale and slightly thickened.
💡 Tip: Using freshly grated nutmeg provides a more intense and authentic flavor. - 3
Gradually whisk about half a cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture to temper the eggs. Then, pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture.
💡 Tip: Tempering prevents the eggs from scrambling when added to the hot liquid. - 4
Return the saucepan to medium-low heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon (about 5-8 minutes). Do not let it boil.
- 5
Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Place the bowl over an ice bath (a larger bowl filled with ice and water) and stir occasionally until the custard is completely chilled.
💡 Tip: Chilling the custard thoroughly is crucial for the ice cream maker to work effectively. - 6
Once chilled, pour the custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
💡 Tip: If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the custard in a shallow container, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes until frozen. - 7
Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use freshly grated nutmeg for the best flavor; pre-ground nutmeg loses its potency.
- ✓Ensure your ice cream maker's bowl is fully frozen before churning.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can increase the amount of nutmeg slightly, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.
🔄 Variations
- Add a splash of rum to the custard before chilling for an adult twist.
- Serve with a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes or a drizzle of local honey.