Fresh Peach Ice Cream

This also works GREAT for both strawberries and blueberries, producing a very intense fruit flavor. For blueberries, add a healthy pinch of cinnamon and use a potato masher to press them lightly into the sugar in order to get the juices flowing.

Both the cooked peaches and the custard mixture must be cooled to 40 degrees before you churn them. Since they are fine in the refrigerator overnight, you may want to prepare them the day before you plan to churn and serve the ice cream. You’ll get the very best results from using in-season, fully ripened peaches, but in a pinch, you can substitute 2 cups IQF (individually quick frozen) sliced peaches and replace the vodka with peach-flavored liqueur. The ice cream is at its peak when eaten within four hours of churning, although covered, it will keep in the freezer for up to two days.

Makes about 1 quart

3	medium-size ripe peaches , peeled, pitted, and 
        cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2	teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
        pinch table salt 
1	cup granulated sugar 
6	tablespoons granulated sugar 
1 1/4	cups whole milk 
1 1/3	cups heavy cream 
6	large egg yolks 
1	teaspoon vanilla extract 
2	tablespoons vodka 

1. Stir peaches, lemon juice, a pinch salt, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size nonreactive saucepan to combine; let stand until a pool of syrupy liquid accumulates and peaches soften slightly, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

2. Position sieve over medium bowl set in an ice-water bath; set aside. Heat milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steam appears, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off heat. Meanwhile, whisk yolks and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until pale yellow. Stir half the warmed milk mixture into beaten yolk mixture until just blended. Return milk-yolk mixture to saucepan of remaining warmed milk mixture. Heat milk-yolk mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon until steam appears, foam subsides, and mixture just begins to thicken (see illustrations below) or instant-read thermometer registers 172 degrees (mixture must not boil or eggs will curdle). Remove from heat, and following step 3 in illustration, immediately strain custard into prepared bowl. Cool custard mixture to room temperature, stir in vanilla, then cover and refrigerate until instant-read thermometer registers 40 degrees, at least 2 and up to 24 hours.

3. Meanwhile, heat softened peaches and their liquid, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until peaches are tender and flesh has broken down, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl, stir in vodka, and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 and up to 24 hours.

4. Strain chilled peaches, reserving liquid. Stir reserved peach liquid into chilled custard mixture; pour into ice cream machine canister and churn, following manufacturer’s instructions, until mixture is frozen and resembles soft-serve ice cream, 25 to 30 minutes. Add peaches; continue to churn until combined, about 30 seconds longer. Transfer ice cream to airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.




STEP BY STEP: Step By Step to Smooth Custard

1. During the early stages of cooking, there is a thin layer of foam on top of the custard.


2. When steam begins to rise from the custard and the foam has almost totally subsided, it is near 180 degrees.


3. Remove the custard from the heat and pour it through a fine sieve into a bowl placed over an ice-water bath.



From Cook's Illustrated, my favorite food site on the web. It's a pay site, but for $20/year, you get access to every issue they've ever published.