Sara Engram and Katie Luber have recently released their new book, Spice Dreams, Flavored Ice Creams and other Frozen Treats.

Last Fall I wrote a post about Sara and Katie’s last book called The Spice Kitchen. Now they are back and just in time for summer!

Forget the processed ice creams you find in your local grocery store and make your own. Sara and Katie show you how to take all-natural ingredients with fresh and dried herbs and spices to create some refreshing new flavors. Try something new and make a  twist to your favorite summer treat: ice cream.

Here is an excerpt from their book. I’m going to personally try this and when I do, I’ll be sure to let you know how it went. The idea of blending basil into ice cream is brilliant.

Basil Ice Cream

Makes about 1.5 quarts

Basil is a versatile herb, and relatively easy to grow. In this appealing ice cream, the flavors of fresh and dried basil bring out the best in each other. This ice cream is especially good after a summer barbecue of spicy meats. It’s also delicious topped with fresh berries.

2 cups whole milk
½ cup plus
½ cup sugar
½ cup packed fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons dried basil
¹⁄8 teaspoon salt
4 large egg yolks
2 cups whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine the milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the fresh basil, dried basil, and salt in a medium, heavy saucepan.  Scald the milk mixture over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat and let steep for 1 hour.

Strain the milk mixture through a fine-mesh sleeve. Return the milk to a clean, medium, heavy saucepan. Scald the milk once again over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

While the milk is scalding, whisk together the egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl. Add the remaining ½ cup of sugar and whisk until the eggs are light and fluffy. Whisking constantly, add a small amount of the hot milk to the egg mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining hot milk.

Return the custard mixture to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and place in a bowl of ice water to quickly cool the custard. Let the custard cool, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

While the custard is cooling, combine the cream and the vanilla in a medium bowl. Stir in the custard mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and press the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight. The custard may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze the chilled custard mixture in an ice-cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze in the freezer for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

Spice Dreams, Flavored Ice Creams and Other Frozen Treats
Authors: Sara Engram and Katie Luber
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
$16.99

Spice Dreams is available now at your local bookstore. You can also purchase a copy of Spice Dreams right here at the Foodie In Disguise Online Store and with a discount!

Sara Engram and Katie Luber founded The Seasoned Palate, Inc., based in Baltimore, MD.

The Seasoned Palate, or TSP, specializes in packaging organic spices in one-teaspoon packets for convenience and freshness. The company’s TSP spices line is sold in more than 300 retail stores in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and the Smart Spice brand is sold in supermarkets throughout the United States.