I love the tang of goat cheese and I bet this would work equally well with mascarpone. In September, I may add figs. Or some roasted chestnut puree. I can make believe I am semi-sophisticated with the lush creaminess of the cheese and the surprise of the lemon. But I am really just a kid in an ice cream store playing with flavor.
Goat cheese ice cream - it's part thinking you're a grown-up and part childhood memory of churning ice cream and chasing fireflies barefoot in the still summer night. As I mixed ingredients, I was memory and anticipation. And as I waited for it to chill, process and chill again - I could slowly steer my heart back into my world and leave the busyness of June behind. I think everyone needs a dish that combines memory and anticipation, don't you?
Goat Cheese Ice Cream Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1 cup cream
1/2 cup lemon honey
2 teaspoons lemon zest (1-2 lemons)
3 egg yolks - room temperature
6-12 ounces fresh goat cheese (depends on how much you like goat cheese - I actually used Soignon Spreadable Chevre - which is creamy and stops the ice cream from becoming grainy and I used all 12 ounces)
Goat Cheese Ice Cream Preparation
Custard Base:
Heat the milk, cream and honey in a large sauce over medium heat until simmering, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. In a medium-large bowl, beat the egg yolks until well blended and light. Slowly pour in the hot milk combination while continuing to whisk the egg yolks. Return mixture to saucepan and heat over medium heat stirring constantly under the back of the spoon is coated and the custard thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in the goat cheese and the lemon zest. Put into an ice bath to cool or put mixture in the fridge for about 6 hours.
Process in ice cream make until mixture becomes thick and pulls away from the sides - about 20-30 minutes. Freeze for 4-6 hours. Remove from freezer 15-20 minutes before serving.
Or forget about it for 45 minutes as I did and have a dessert soup. Really, it's the latest trend among busy, forgetful people. With pureed strawberries over it. Frozen or melted, it was mighty fine. And it prepped me for phase 2 of the summer that began today: the teenagers and theatre!
