Refreshing: Crème Fraîche Strawberry Basil Ice-Cream

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream (01) by MeetaK

We all get so caught up in our daily routines, that we just forget how great the simple things in life can be. Everyday we get out of our beds, drag ourselves to the bathroom, jump with fright at the freak staring at us from the mirror. But we still wash that freak, until it resembles the person we once again recognize.

After that it's a dash against time, get the kid (or kids) dressed, make breakfast, eat a quick 10 minute bowl of muesli and guzzle down the pot of coffee that gives you the high to keep you going for most of the morning. Quickly discuss a few appointments with the partner, get into the car, drop off the kid, then hurry to work. Always the eye on the watch. Always against the time.

Sound familiar?

At work it goes on - meetings, appointments, discussions and deadlines. A short lunch break, a few laughs, another pot of coffee then it's back to fighting the ticking clock.

This, like probably most of yours, is how my day is in a nutshell. Although I am a person who is energetic and enjoys the fast pace, it is my son who shows me the lighter side of life. With him I learn to relax and come down - re-charge my batteries.

It has become my daily oasis. After I've picked up Soeren from school we spend part of the afternoon simply coming down from our highly strung day. A short trip in the park, a stroll by the river or an ice-cream in the lovely Weimar inner city, where, surrounded by ancient trees towering high above the boulevard bestowing a cool shade on hot, sunny days, we sit on the wooden bench slurping our ice-creams. A cool breeze sweeps past us, rustling Soeren's hair, who is elated by the music the street brass musicians are playing.

They are from St. Petersburg and come every summer to Weimar. They almost belong here just as Goethe belongs to Weimar. Their music style is everything from famous classical pieces to popular modern pop and both tourists and locals alike circle the 6 man band listening avidly to their repertoire.

We peel off our jackets and our bags, getting comfortable on the benches. The day begins to disintegrate away. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale, allowing the stress of the day to blow away with the breeze. My hand, which casually rests on Soeren's shoulder, takes in an important impulse. His shoulders begin to relax, telling me we have found our oasis for today.

Summer and ice-cream go hand in hand and I cannot even begin to count the gallons we eat during the summer. While I am an all-year-round ice-cream girl, in the summer time it simply tastes more delicious. Making your own ice-cream at home is not only a lot of fun but we can make exactly the flavor we are craving for. The mother in me is also satisfied as I know what goes into my ice-creams.

Summer allows a lot of room for experiments, with the huge selection of fruit and berries at the Farmer's Market, it won't surprise you that much of it makes it's way into our ice-cream maker. This time it was 500g of ripe, sweet organic strawberries. I experimented with crème fraîche for a delicate unique flavor and chopped fresh basil for a fantastic refreshing kick. An unforgettable ice-cream experience.

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream (02) by MeetaK

Ingredients
Printable version of recipe here.

500g fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
250g crème fraîche
250g heavy cream
150g fine sugar
Handful basil leaves, coarsely chopped

Method

In a bowl toss the sliced strawberries with the sugar. Gently mix until the sugar dissolves. Set aside for about an hour, stirring regularly.

Place the strawberries and all of the accumulated liquid in a blender, along with all the other ingredients, except for the chopped basil, and pulse. Do not purée too long because you want the mixture to be chunky and have strawberry pieces in your ice-cream.

Pour into a bowl and refrigerate overnight, then prepare the ice-cream in your ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the chopped basil into the ice-cream once the mixture begins to thicken.

Finally transfer into clean plastic boxes and freeze for 15-20 minutes.

Serve with fresh strawberries.

Notes:

  • If you do not have an ice-cream maker, then after the mixture has been in the refrigerator overnight, pour into a deep plastic vessel and place in the freezer. After 30 - 45 minutes take out and whisk with an electric hand mixer. Place back into the freezer. Repeat this process several times - 3 to 4 - then allow to freeze until firm.
  • You can use other herbs with this ice-cream. Substitute the basil with mint for example or try some rosemary.
  • Other berries work with this too. Raspberries or blackberries make a wonderful tangy ice-cream and also pair very well with the crème fraîche.
  • If this ice-cream is only for adults macerate the berries with vodka with the sugar for an hour.


Verdict

Strawberry Basil Ice Cream (03) by MeetaK 

Creamy and delicately tangy. The crème fraîche does the first little wonder with this ice-cream, giving it a super poignant note. The second little wonder comes from the chopped basil adding a wonderful refreshing aroma. Together with the strawberries it was one of our favorite ice-cream flavors this summer.

Dee of Ammalu's Kitchen hosts a monthly event called Herb Mania this month she is featuring Basil. Dee hope you have room for my ice-cream.

You might like these ice-cream ideas from WFLH:

GingerLemonIceCream01
Fresh Ginger and Tangy Lemon Ice Cream
RaspberryDarkChocolateIceCream02
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Ice Cream
ApricotPistachioIceCream01
Apricot and Nutty Pistachio Ice Cream

From around the blogs:

Daily Tiffin Reading Tip:

Eating better and maybe even saving a buck by Mike

 


All photographs and written content on What's For Lunch, Honey? © 2006-2008 Meeta Khurana unless otherwise indicated. | All rights reserved | Please Ask First

Continue »

39 comments:

  1. Sweet mother of God!!!! That looks sooooo delish!! What an awesome creation : basil + strawberry!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ooooo gorgeous, nothing like strawberries and basil, would say this is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. How could I resist? This is why I don't have an ice cream maker and my freezer is too packed to make it otherwise. I want this, but I don't think I could stop at one bowl! Just lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely post! I love ice cream and I use my ice cream maker constantly. Most often I do strawberry ice cream with cream and sour cream, and I can imagine how delicious this one is. I'll defintly try it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks so amazing. What a brilliant combination of basil and strawberry, I bet it tasted fantastic. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Interesting combo...looks quite delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sounds wonderfuly refreshing! Loved reading about your winding down time with Soeren.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I need to try your idea of winding down time each day with my boys!

    Your ice cream looks so elegant and refreshing, a lovely combination!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Why? Why don't I have an ice cream maker? You're killin' me, Meeta. Killin' me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I bet the cream fraiche made it extra special.

    ReplyDelete
  11. ice cream maker is on my top-ten list of things to get soon. very soon. lovely color and adding basil to ice cream is just brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks everyone for the comments!

    Mythili - yes it is a great combo!

    Rachel - I would say so!

    Lisa - You do not have to stop at one bowl - indulge - I do!! And as my notes say - you do not need an ice-cream maker for this one! ;-)

    DagmarDagmar - initially I tried sour cream but decided to take it to the next level with the CF. Much better!

    Alanna - thank you!

    Jeena - it did!

    My sweet - it was!

    Helen - yes it's what both of us need.

    Andrea - it works wonders trust me. It does not even have to be long - 30-45 minutes is just fine to provide you with more energy for the rest of the day!

    Susan - especially for you I mentioned how you could make this without an ice-cream maker. I am sure this is right up your alley!

    Pea - it added a wonderful taste to the ice-cream!

    Nags - when you do get it then I hope you try this one out!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I tried David Lebovitz's strawberry and sour cream ice cream few weeks ago - and that was delicious! Yours sounds just as good :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Meeta gorgeous.. wonderful click i loved the combination of basil. Starwberry's r wonderful creation. they create magic

    ReplyDelete
  15. so very refreshing. I see myself in that routine you mentioned, the only thing different is, I get back home with the 2nd one to take care of him. Either ways, racing against time.

    ReplyDelete
  16. meeta, I was just imagining myself....reading your post...although i dont work outside....but theres so much for me to do at home! wish someone could make such a wonderful icecream....cant wait to get back 2 my hometown....inlaws n parents pamper me there:-))))

    ReplyDelete
  17. Meetak this is genius! I know strawberry and basil go well together, but it's something I don't get to eat often. It's such a refreshing combo and in an ice-cream must be perfection!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Argh! Everywhere I look I see ice cream! I just don't have room for an ice cream machine! Yours looks so delicious... I think I will go pout for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Ha this is a funny coincidence...I was looking for some Indian recipes because I am obsessed with all thing Indian. Then I realized it was Meeta!!! DB MEETA!!! ha I randomly stumbled across your blog from another blog, and didn't connect the 2 till now...silly me.
    Oh and I am going to make your butter chicken this week!!!!mmmmmmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  20. That DEFINITELY sounds familiar, haha :0)

    Oh my, what an innovative, captivating dessert!! Love it!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hey Meeta, strawberry and basil sounds interesting! Its unique like your strawberry panna cotta and balsamic red wine syrup!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow. That looks amazingly refreshing!! The perfect combination...and soo pretty too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's a gorgeous combination Meeta, you know I can't refuse ice cream!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful post, Meeta. And delicious ice cream! The photos are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love the combination of strawberries and basil! I'm not a big fan of strawberries (I know, I know, I've gotten a lot of flak from others for not liking strawberries: I just don't like strawberries that much), but I can see how the strawberries will be elevated by the basil here. Gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I don't really like strawberries but your strawberry ice cream sure looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I don't know what took me so long to find your blog...considering that you are hosting this month's Daring Baker's Challenge!! What stunning photos and beautiful words you have!!

    Now that i'm the proud owner of an ice cream machine, I might try this recipe..it looks so delicious and refreshing on your photos!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. That looks good! I never would have thought to use basil in ice cream. I also like the sound of using crème fraîche in the ice cream.

    ReplyDelete
  29. thanks everyone for all your comments. Glad to hear that this flavor combination is finding your liking!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Meeta, that seems to be the rat race we are all stuck in , day after day , same routine, life passes us by and sometimes we wont even realize it. But its nice ... how you spend time with Soeren, and i love the thought of creme fraiche in my ice cream. Can imagine how wonderful this ice cream must've been. I've been so lazy to remove my ice cream maker n chuck it in the freezer a day before, keep procrastinating ... maybe if i had little kiddies at home i would be a bit more motivated :) Love the presentation too :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Meeta, it's wonderful to hear you find some time to have fun with your son - he will remember these moments forever! And so will you!
    This ice cream looks wonderful and thank you for sharing instructions of how to make it without an ice cream maker.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Meeta, this is such a beautiful post. You've not only captured exactly how it feels to need to decompress at the end of a busy day (they're all busy, right?) but your description of Weimar makes me want to be there, too, and enjoy it as you do. The ice cream, of course, sounds delicious. I love basil with strawberries, but haven't tried them together in ice cream. Very nice, and thanks for the relaxing visit!

    ReplyDelete
  33. new look of blog template is awesome . Too refreshing :) .
    and those strawberry ice cream is to die for Meeta ....

    ReplyDelete
  34. Kate, yes a rat race it is. But to be honest it'S not bad at all. I love what I do everyday and for me it's what life is all about. I guess the "coming down" time simply allows me to unwind, relax and enjoy the evening with the family. Thanks for the feedback!

    Patricia, I am sure I will remember and I hope Soeren will too. Hehehe! Will you be making this now that I have explained how it works without a fancy ice-cream maker?

    Kellypea - you should simply come over! We'll enjoy the summer, ice-creams and Weimar together!

    Pooja thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Strawberry ice-cream ....Ummmmm......
    It looks so delicious,I love it very much.
    thanks Meeta for sharing Such a wonderful recipe.And Blog is also looks fine.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow! Strawberries and basil! Nice combination, I'm sure!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Meeta,

    I love this recipe... basil taste so great wiht strawberries... lovely idea to add it to the ice cream!! :)

    Like always I love your photos.

    Have a wonderful weekend, Margot

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting What's For Lunch, Honey? and taking time to browse through my recipes, listen to my ramblings and enjoy my photographs. I appreciate all your comments, feedback and input. I will answer your questions to my best knowledge and respond to your comments as soon as possible.

In the meantime I hope you enjoy your stay here and that I was able to make this an experience for your senses.

Hugs
Meeta