Description
Creamy pistachio ice cream delights with rich, nutty flavors packed with protein power. Smooth Mediterranean-inspired dessert provides cool comfort and satisfying nutrition for health-conscious taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup pistachios (shelled)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
Sweeteners:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch salt
- A few drops green food coloring
Additional Garnish:
- Extra pistachios (for topping)
Instructions
- Grind pistachios in a food processor until they create a slightly chunky paste-like consistency, ensuring some texture remains intact.
- Heat cream, milk, and sugar in a saucepan over medium temperature, stirring gently until sugar completely dissolves without reaching a boiling point.
- Remove from heat and incorporate ground pistachios, vanilla and almond extracts, and salt into the warm mixture. Add green food coloring for a vibrant appearance if desired.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or preferably overnight to develop rich flavors.
- Pour the thoroughly chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn for approximately 20-25 minutes until it reaches a soft, creamy consistency.
- Transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container, smoothing the surface with a spatula to create an even layer.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours until the ice cream firms up completely.
- Scoop into serving dishes and garnish with additional chopped pistachios for extra crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Crush pistachios thoroughly to release their rich, nutty oils and enhance the overall flavor profile of the ice cream.
- Avoid boiling the cream mixture to prevent scorching and maintain a smooth, silky texture in the final dessert.
- Experiment with alternative milks like coconut or almond milk for a dairy-free version that still delivers creamy richness.
- Incorporate additional protein by blending in Greek yogurt or a scoop of vanilla protein powder during the churning process.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg