CASHEW ICE CREAM

MAKES ABOUT 1 QUART

NOTHING tops off this sweet, nutty ice cream like a handful of
salted cashews. Or a few raisins, a handful of trail mix, some crumbled
peanut brittle…

1½ cups toasted unsalted cashews
¼ cup light corn syrup
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1½ cups milk
¾ cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Warm the cashews in a small sauté pan over low heat. Shake the pan or
stir often, being careful not to let the nuts burn. After about 2 minutes, or
when the nuts smell fragrant, add the corn syrup and heat only until the
syrup is warmed through. Scrape the nuts and syrup into a food processor
and process for 1 minute or until the cashews are completely smooth. Add
the eggs and process until well blended, about 30 seconds.
Combine the milk and sugar in a heavy medium saucepan. Place over
medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves and the milk comes to a
boil. With the food processor running, slowly pour the hot milk through
the feed tube.
Process 30 seconds or until the nut custard is smooth. Pour the entire mixture
back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk
or wooden spoon until the custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let
the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from the heat and pour
the hot cashew custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. Allow
the custard to cool slightly, then stir in the cream and vanilla. Cover and
refrigerate until cold or overnight.

Stir the chilled custard, then freeze in 1 or 2 batches in your ice cream machine
according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When finished, the ice
cream will be soft but ready to eat. For firmer ice cream, transfer to a
freezer-safe container and freeze at least 2 hours.

Variations

KUNG PAO CASHEW ICE CREAM Add 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
flakes along with the vanilla. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

RAIN FOREST CRUNCH ICE CREAM When the ice cream is semifrozen,
add to the machine ¼ cup each chopped salted cashews, chopped salted
brazil nuts, and toasted sweetened coconut. Allow the machine
to mix in the additional ingredients. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

TRAIL MIX ICE CREAM Add ¼ cup toasted sweetened coconut, ¼ cup sunflower seeds, and ¼ cup raisins to the machine when the
ice cream is semifrozen. Allow the machine to mix in the additional ingredients.
Proceed with the recipe as directed.