Pistachio Ice Cream

Directions

Position a rack in the center of an oven and preheat to 350F.

Arrange the pistachios in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake, shaking the pan occasionally, until the nuts are lightly golden and toasted, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

In a mini-food processor or standard-size food processor, combine 1/2 cup of the pistachios with the sugar and process until finely chopped and well blended.

In a 3 to 4-quart saucepan, combine the milk, cream and the pistachio-sugar mixture and stir to blend. Set the pan over medium-low heat and warm the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and steam begins to rise from the surface, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and let the mixture steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and salt until blended. Form a kitchen towel into a ring and place the bowl on top to prevent it from moving. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the pistachio-cream until smooth and blended, then pour the mixture into the saucepan with the remaining pistachio-cream. Set the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring slowly and continuously with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the custard thickens and a finger drawn across the back of the spoon leaves a path, 8 to 10 minutes; do not allow the custard to boil.

Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve set over a clean bowl; discard the pistachios. Nestle the bowl in a larger one filled halfway with ice and water and cool the custard to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour.

Stir in the almond extract. Transfer the custard to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturers instructions. At the end of the freezing stage, add the remaining 1/2 cup toasted pistachios and continue processing just until they are blended into the ice cream. Transfer the ice cream to a chilled container, cover and freeze until firm, 3 to 4 hours. Makes about 1 quart.




Per serving (excluding unknown items): 277 Calories; 21g Fat (66% calories from fat); 4g Protein; 20g Carbohydrate; 174mg Cholesterol; 60mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 4 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : Toasted pistachios are added at the very end of the freezing stage to ensure the nuts will be evenly distributed. Process just until the pistachios are blended into the ice cream.