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Pistachio Ice Cream

17/11/2023

Pistachio ice cream is a classic of Italian gelato shops, loved for its rich flavor and creamy texture. Here is a basic recipe for making pistachio ice cream at home. I remind you that for the best result I would recommend using an ice cream maker, but it’s also possible to make it without one.

Ingredients

  • 500 ml of whole milk
  • 200 ml of fresh cream
  • 150 g of sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 100 g of pistachio paste (a pure 100% paste obtained by grinding pistachios without any added ingredients)
  • 50 g of unsalted, finely chopped toasted pistachios (optional, to add crunchiness)
  • A pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. In a saucepan, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until you get a light and fluffy mixture.
  2. Heat the milk until it is almost boiling, then slowly pour it over the beaten yolks, stirring continuously.
  3. Put the mixture back on the heat and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the cream thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon (it should not reach boiling).
  4. Remove from the heat and let it cool completely, then incorporate the pistachio paste and stir until the mixture is homogeneous.
  5. In a separate bowl, lightly whip the cream, then fold it into the cooled custard.
  6. If you are using an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a suitable container for the freezer and put it in the freezer. Every hour, for the first 4-5 hours, stir the ice cream vigorously to break up the ice crystals that form and ensure a creamy consistency.
  7. A couple of hours before serving, you can add the chopped pistachios to add crunchiness and a more intense flavor.

Curiosity:

Authentic pistachio ice cream has a natural light green color and not the bright green often found in artificial ice creams. The quality of the pistachios is crucial, and the best are considered to be the pistachios from Bronte, which have a sweet flavor and are grown on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily.

Enjoy your meal and have fun preparing this tasty Italian ice cream!

Pistachio Ice Cream