Fried Ice Cream

Fried ice cream is a dessert of Chinese origin that has also become popular in many Italian restaurants, especially those serving fusion or international cuisine. Here is how to prepare it with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream or your preferred flavor
• 100 g of sponge cake (or dry biscuits)
• 2 egg whites
• Enough breadcrumbs
• Oil for frying

Note: The ice cream must be frozen solid, so make sure it is in the freezer for at least 2 hours before starting.

Preparation

1. If you are using sponge cake, blend in a mixer until you get fine crumbs. If using biscuits, crumble them to a similar consistency.
2. Take the ice cream out of the freezer and form tight scoops, then put them back in the freezer for a few minutes to ensure they stay hard.
3. Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until frothy.
4. Quickly dip the ice cream scoops first into the egg whites and then into the crumbled sponge cake or breadcrumbs, making sure to cover them evenly. Repeat the step to create a double layer. Put the scoops back in the freezer for 30 minutes.
5. Heat the oil in a pot or deep fryer to a temperature of about 180 °C.
6. Fry the ice cream scoops one at a time for about 20-30 seconds, until golden and crispy.
7. Drain them quickly on paper towels and serve immediately.

Curiosity

Fried ice cream is an example of how one can play with temperatures in the kitchen, experiencing a considerable contrast between the hot crispy exterior and the cold creamy interior. Moreover, despite its Eastern origins, fried ice cream lends itself very well to variations with typical Italian ingredients, such as sponge cake or artisanal ice cream. For an even more local touch, you could pair it with a chocolate sauce or a coulis of fresh local fruit.