If I could have one ice cream flavor for the rest of my life, it would be saffron and rose ice cream. Incredibly fragrant, sweet and slightly floral, this Persian ice cream hits all of the flavor spots and I can't get enough!
Saffron and Rose Ice Cream
Persian ice cream is probably one of my favorite ice cream flavors. I am bias to rose water and use it in a number of recipes such as my fruit rose tart and rose pistachio donuts that I make for Passover.
Saffron is another ingredient I always have on hand and a little goes a very long way. All you need is a pinch and a small jar will even last you through a number of recipes such as seafood and chorizo and Persian donuts called bamieh.
If you have an ice cream maker, I highly suggest trying these flavors next! There are "no churn" recipes, but I haven't tried that method yet. If you do, please let me know how it comes out!
Rose Saffron Ice Cream with Pistachios
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Equipment
- Ice Cream Maker
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium pot, whisk together milk, heavy cream and ½ cup sugar. Allow to warm up but not boil. Make sure sugar dissolves and keep warm.
- Next, grind 1 teaspoon of sugar and pinch of saffron threads in a mortar. Grind until the saffron breaks down. You still may see some threads leftover.
- Add sugar and saffron mixture and the rose water to cream mixture. Mix to incorporate.
- On low heat, add the egg yolks slowly while whisking at the same time. Continue whisking and keeping on low heat for about 8-10 minutes until mixture has thickened slightly.
- Once everything is mixed well, take the cream mixture and strain it with a sieve (or fine mesh strainer) over a bowl to remove leftover saffron threads.
- Place mixture in a well-sealed container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight. The mixture has to be chilled before churning.
- Once mixture is chilled, pour into ice-cream maker. I am using the Kitchen-Aid Ice Cream attachment. For this attachment, I placed the setting at 1-2 and let it turn for 20 minutes. At the last 2 minutes, add the chopped pistachios.
- It will be very soft at this point so place in container and in the freezer for at least 2 more hours until ready to serve.
andrea russell says
I love using this recipe and playing with it. This time i used a combo of buttermilk and cream, doubled the saffron, and added about a half tablespoon of cardomon into the mix, and one extra yolk . It turned out fabulous! The buttermilk adds a bit of a tang. Just wanted to say thanks for the recipe, and to encourage people to have fun and play around with the ingredients a bit, after you are familiar with the results on its own of course.
Samantha Ferraro says
Fantastic Andrea, Love the additions and you are so right. "Play Around". Great advice. Than you for writing. Samantha.
Skylar says
Best combination of flavors ever. It only takes a pinch of Saffron so go easy. I found Saffron and rose water on Amazon, it was 1/2 the price than it is in the store. This recipe takes a while but it is really worth it.
Dana Kelley says
Oh, this ice cream looks tasty! Thanks for sharing of how to do make one. I want to try it out too! But I guess, I just need to buy an ice cream maker.
clg says
I must be the crazy person...but I don't understand what point you add the rose water? Is adding water something that's just a "given" with making ice cream and I should know when to add it?
Samantha says
You're not crazy. I forgot to add the rosewater when typing. Thanks for pointing that out. I fixed it. It goes into the cream mixture with the saffron.
Kim Bee says
Sam I am loving this. It's so pretty and I can almost taste it. You did a great job with this ice cream. And you know I have such a fondness for all things pistachio. I must try this.
And omg Flounder has aged well. He looks fantastic.
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
Georgeous! Now I just have to figure out where to find rose water!
Samantha says
Ahh I should have mentioned it in the post. Any Middle Eastern markets by you? Thast where! Ive even seen recipes to make your own.
rhonda shapiro?Hedgar says
Also many health-food stores carry rose water. Now for the comment,
This is driving my nuts LOL, I know my taste buds and they want ROSE ice cream! What I want to know is what is the bowl U used and how much Ice cream does this recipe make. I'm very tempted to buy the attachment for my KA just for this!! Beautifully done Samantha!!!!