Persian Delight: Saffron Rose Water Ice Cream with Pistachios
Indulge in the rich and fragrant flavors of this Persian Delight ice cream, a classic dessert that harmonizes the delicate notes of rose water and saffron within a creamy custard base. The addition of crunchy pistachios adds a delightful texture, making each scoop a truly luxurious experience. This recipe has been crafted to serve a crowd, perfect for gatherings or family treats, and is surprisingly easy to make. Let this ice cream be the centerpiece of your dessert table, where traditional charm meets the joy of homemade indulgence.
N/A
Servings
155
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole milk or 2% low-fat milk
2 cups (none)
heavy cream or half-and-half
2 1/2 cups (none)
egg yolks
6-8 (separate yolks from whites)
sugar
2 cups (none)
pistachio nuts, chopped
1 1/2 cups (soak and drain if salted)
rose water or rose extract
3-4 tablespoons or 3/4 teaspoon (none)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
saffron, ground
1/2 teaspoon (dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot milk)
salt
1 pinch (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized, thick-bottomed pot, gradually heat the milk over medium heat until it is just about to boil, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Once heated, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and the dissolved saffron to infuse the flavors.
2
In a separate bowl, vigorously beat the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture is pale and foamy, indicating that air has been incorporated.
3
Carefully temper the egg yolk mixture by slowly pouring a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly. This will gently raise the temperature of the yolks without cooking them. Continue adding the milk mixture gradually, whisking continuously.
4
Return the entire mixture to the pot over low heat and cook while constantly stirring with a wooden spoon. You'll know it's ready when the custard thickens, coats the back of the spoon, and forms a ribbon when you run your finger through it.
5
Once thickened, remove from heat and transfer the custard to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly against the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate it until completely chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
6
After the custard is chilled, stir in the heavy cream (or half-and-half), rose water or extract, and the chopped pistachios until well combined.
7
Churn the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it achieves a soft-serve consistency. If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and place it in the freezer, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes for about 2-3 hours until it is smooth and fully frozen.
8
Once churned or frozen to your liking, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for a few hours to firm up before serving.
Nutrition Information
10.7g
Fat
13.6g
Carbs
3.2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Persian Delight: Saffron Rose Water Ice Cream?
It is a traditional Persian dessert known for its fragrant blend of saffron and rose water in a creamy custard base with crunchy pistachios.
What are the primary flavors in this recipe?
The main flavors are saffron, rose water, and vanilla, complemented by the nuttiness of pistachios.
What type of milk should I use?
You can use either whole milk or 2% low-fat milk for this recipe.
What kind of cream is required?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 cups of heavy cream or half-and-half.
How many egg yolks are needed?
You will need between 6 to 8 egg yolks, which should be separated from the whites.
How much sugar is used in the ice cream?
The recipe requires 2 cups of sugar to sweeten the custard base.
How should I prepare the saffron?
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of ground saffron in 1 tablespoon of hot milk before adding it to the mixture.
Can I use rose extract instead of rose water?
Yes, you can use 3-4 tablespoons of rose water or 3/4 teaspoon of rose extract.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 155 calories.
How much fat is in this ice cream?
There is 10.7g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
This ice cream contains 13.6g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does it provide?
Each serving provides about 3.2g of protein.
How do I prepare the pistachios if they are salted?
If the pistachios are salted, you should soak and drain them before chopping.
What is the first step in making the custard?
Gradually heat the milk in a thick-bottomed pot over medium heat until it is just about to boil.
How do I incorporate the egg yolks safely?
Temper the egg yolks by slowly pouring a small amount of hot milk into them while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
How can I tell when the custard is done cooking?
The custard is ready when it thickens, coats the back of a wooden spoon, and forms a ribbon.
How long must the custard chill?
The custard should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours or overnight until completely chilled.
Why do I need to cover the custard with plastic wrap?
Pressing plastic wrap directly against the surface prevents a skin from forming while it chills.
When do I add the chopped pistachios?
Stir in the chopped pistachios along with the heavy cream and rose water after the custard has chilled.
Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes, pour the mixture into a container and stir vigorously every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours while freezing.
What is the churned consistency I am looking for?
The mixture should reach a soft-serve consistency in the ice cream maker before the final freeze.
How should I store the finished ice cream?
Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for a few hours to firm up before serving.
What size pot is best for this recipe?
A medium-sized, thick-bottomed pot is recommended to ensure even heating and prevent scorching.
Is this recipe suitable for crowds?
Yes, it is specifically crafted to serve a crowd and is perfect for gatherings or family treats.
How much vanilla extract is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Does this recipe include salt?
Yes, one pinch of salt is added to the ingredients.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in total for this saffron rose water ice cream.
What is the total preparation time for the custard?
Preparing the custard involves heating, tempering, and cooking until thick, followed by at least 2 hours of chilling.
What texture do the pistachios add?
The chopped pistachios add a delightful crunchy texture to the smooth, creamy ice cream.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Tags include saffron ice cream, rose water dessert, Persian ice cream, and homemade ice cream.