Bruno's Authentic French Vanilla Ice Cream

So it’s officially the last week of summer and I can’t let the season end without sharing this recipe that comes from a classically-trained French Pastry Chef, who was given the recipe by an authentic Glacier (a professional ice cream maker in France). Sheet gelatin and commercial kitchen techniques result in the creamiest, most amazing French Vanilla Ice Cream imaginable. It’s Michelin star-worthy.

Please note - the ice cream base should be made a day before processing in your ice cream maker.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• good ice cream maker https://amzn.to/3bu4ucE

• better ice cream maker https://amzn.to/35aUl3u

• immersion blender https://amzn.to/3h3DPEA

• pure vanilla bean paste https://amzn.to/34SgdCu

• gelatin sheets https://amzn.to/3igQJQU

• standard digital scale https://amzn.to/363ysFz

• digital gram scale https://amzn.to/3bAEiwM

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Authentic French Vanilla Ice Cream

makes 1 quart

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g whole milk

• 180g granulated sugar

• 30g glucose or light corn syrup

• 30g dry milk powder

• 8g vanilla bean paste

• 2g salt (see notes below)

• 100g egg yolks (about 5)

• 4g gelatin sheets

• 300g heavy cream

Directions

1. Soak gelatin sheets in a few cups of cold water for 5-10 minutes, then remove sheets and gently squeeze out excess water; set aside until needed.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, sugar, glucose (or corn syrup), and salt together until the temperature reaches 113F (45c).

3. Using an immersion blender, add dry milk to the warm milk mixture, then add the egg yolks and continue blending with the immersion blender until the mixture reaches 185F (85c); remove from heat.

4. Use the immersion blender to add the gelatin sheets, followed by the cream and vanilla.

5. Pour mixture into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to mature.

6. Process according to your ice cream maker’s instructions and serve right away or transfer mixture to a freezer-safe container for longer storage.

7. To serve, allow frozen ice cream to soften at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping.

Notes

• Gelatin Sheets - don’t be too concerned with the “bloom strength” of the sheet gelatin you use for this recipe. Just be sure the total weight is equal to 4 grams.

• Standard digital scales are great for weighing most ingredients, but they’re not so great when weighing very minimal amounts. When weighing just a few grams, like the salt in this recipe, it’s best to use a precise digital gram scale. If you don’t have a digital gram scale, you’ll have to approximate. For reference, 1 teaspoon of table salt weighs 5.69g so you’d need approximately 1/3 teaspoon table salt for this recipe (the volume would differ if using kosher salt).

• For the best flavor, be sure to refrigerate the ice cream base for 24 hours before processing in your ice cream maker.

adapted from Bruno Albouze

Peach Clafoutis

It’s peach season is here in Virginia and one of my favorite things to do with them is make peach clafoutis (kla-foo-tee), a custardy French dessert. Clafoutis is traditionally made with cherries (like I made here), but other stone fruits can be used, and I’ve even made a blueberry version (you can check it out here).

This is a pretty straight forward recipe. Start by peeling the peaches. There are 2 ways to do this, 1) The old fashioned way (cut “x” in bottom of each peach, blanch in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, cool in ice water bath, make a huge mess, blah-blah,blah…), or 2) You can do it the easy way by using a serrated peeler (here or here). So much easier if you ask me.

Once the peach skins have been removed, cut each peach in half, remove the pit, and slice the peaches into wedges.  Place the peaches in dishes that have been buttered (I used cazuela dishes), then pour the custard filling on top and bake. Super simple.

Can you smell these beauties? Mmmm, I love summer produce!

I like the serve clafoutis at room temperature with a dusting of powdered sugar on top. Enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3ovS9fE

• serrated peeler https://amzn.to/3aCzBSZ or https://amzn.to/34geSDk

• 4.5-inch creme brûlée dishes https://amzn.to/2QaOAd6

• 4.5-inch cazuela dishes https://amzn.to/3uLS8YU

• personal blender https://amzn.to/3l3xHQa

• immersion blender https://amzn.to/2CKwonQ

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Peach Clafoutis

makes 6 individual servings (4.5-inch creme brûlée or cazuela dishes)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 large peaches, peeled and cut into wedges

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup whole milk (or half and half)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour

• 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• pinch of fine salt

• optional: confectioner's sugar for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Butter six 4.5-inch round creme brûlée dishes; place on a rimmed sheet pan.

3. Divide peach wedges among dishes

4. Combine the remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor until completely combined (a beverage blender or immersion blender work well too).

5. Pour batter over peaches.

6. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the custard begins to turn golden brown around the edges.

7. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

8. Garnish with whipped cream, creme fraiche, and/or a dusting of confectioner’s sugar.