Author Notes
This recipe is bursting with Thai-inspired flavor. It's not quite savory and not overly sweet. I can't think of many better ways to cool off on a hot summer day, but be warned, it packs a mild heat that builds. Bonus points if you make yourself a float with a good, dry ginger beer. —Derek Laughren
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Ingredients
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5 cups
heavy cream
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2 1/2 cups
whole milk
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1/2 teaspoon
salt
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1 1/2 cups
sugar
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12
egg yolks
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8 ounces
fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
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2
stalks lemongrass, trimmed, cut into 2" lengths, crushed with the back of a knife blade
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4
Thai bird chiles, halved - do not remove seeds or ribs
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1 cup
crystallized ginger, finely chopped (optional)
Directions
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Place the cream, milk, salt, and 1 cup of the sugar in a sauce pot. Add the sliced ginger, lemongrass, and chiles. Heat the mixture over med-low heat, stirring frequently, until just simmering. Remove from heat and cover. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
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Puree the mixture, chunks and all, in batches in a blender. Strain through a chinoise or other fine-mesh strainer.
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Clean the pot and return the the strained mixture to it. Mix your egg yolks in a separate, heat-safe bowl. Whisk the last 1/2 cup of sugar into the yolks until it dissolves and the yolks are pale in color. Temper the eggs by gradually whisking in a couple cups of the strained puree. Whisk the egg mix back into the the sauce pot.
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Cook over med-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon and leaves a clear streak when you run your finger through it.
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Strain your ice cream base and chill it in the refrigerator (or ice bath if you're in a hurry). Churn to soft-serve consistency in an ice-cream maker.
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Optional - finely chop crystallized ginger and fold into the ice cream.
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Enjoy immediately or transfer the ice cream to air-tight plastic containers and place in the freezer until desired consistency is achieved.
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