Skip to main content

Mint Ice Cream

Guests are often surprised by the fresh mint flavor of this ice cream. The trick is adding raw chopped mint after the ice cream is cooled.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 2 quarts

Ingredients

3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 bunch fresh mint, plus 1 cup mint leaves, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups sugar
7 large egg yolks

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine the cream, vanilla, and chopped mint in a large pot and set aside.

    Step 2

    Bring the milk, half of the sugar, and the bunch of mint to a boil in a medium pot over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once the mixture is at a boil, remove from the heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes.

    Step 3

    Remove the mint from the pot and bring the mixture back up to a boil. Once at a boil, reduce heat to low. Whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar in a large bowl. Temper the yolks by slowly drizzling 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the bowl while whisking vigorously. Slowly pour the tempered eggs into the pot of hot milk and cook over low heat, mixing constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken, coats the back of a metal spoon, and reaches 170°F on an instant-read thermometer (note that the mixture can easily overcook and curdle, so be sure not to bring the mixture to a boil). Strain the mixture into the pot with the reserved cream and vanilla and stir to incorporate.

    Step 4

    Refrigerate until fully cool before following your ice-cream maker’s manufacturer’s suggestions for freezing.

Reprinted with permission from The Meatball Shop Cookbook by Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow with Lauren Deen. Copyright © 2011 by Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow; photographs copyright © 2011 by John Kernick. Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Daniel Holzman is executive chef at The Meatball Shop. He is an alum of Le Bernadin, San Francisco's Fifth Floor, and Aqua, among other highly acclaimed restaurants. He attended the Culinary Institute of America, where he received a full scholarship from the James Beard Foundation. Michael Chernow runs the front-of-house operations and the beverage program at The Meatball Shop. He has worked extensively in restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. He is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute, where he earned degrees in culinary arts and restaurant management. He and Holzman met as teenagers when they worked together as delivery boys at the New York vegan restaurant Candle Café. Needless to say, the vegan thing didn't really stick. Lauren Deen is the author of the New York Times bestselling Cook Yourself Thin series and Kitchen Playdates. She is an Emmy award—and James Beard award— winning television producer and director. She is currently executive producer of food(ography) on the Cooking Channel.
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
This no-knead knockout gets its punch from tomatoes in two different ways.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Roasted poblanos, jalapeños, and red onion are coated with a melty sauce—warm with the flavors of pepper jack, and stabilized with a block of cream cheese.
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.