Green Tea Ice Cream
We’ve had a rainy few days but it’s still muggy and hot as hell. It’s not surprising how the heat has killed off some of the plants in our garden and what remaining flowers we’ve got, the dogs have deemed it okay to chomp them away whilst their nectar’s still sweet. I have four dogs (a cocker spaniel, a labrador, and two of their spanador children) and they can be a mammoth effort. My little cocker spaniel, the treasured female of the quartet, has made snacking on flowers her favourite past-time. Her boyfriend, Daddy Scott, and her children simply follow suit since without her roving tastebuds, they would have never discovered the sweet honey of our garden’s flowers. ‘Tis surely an annoying habit my mum obviously does not approve of but one that should be corrected by this evening with the new flowers, etc. that we purchased from the nursery today. Gosh it was hot hot hot and I might’ve gotten a bit of a tan on the legs from just walking about searching for the perfect shrub and flowering plant for our front garden, patio edge and back garden. Blimey, it was effort battling the heat.
And it wasn’t just today that the heat was a little mind-boggling. Last week was absolutely crazy. The heat was cruelly intense and the humidity oppressive beyond comparison. Where we live, an old man would usually come riding by on his freezer-attached bicycle, ringing his little bicycle bell, selling ice cream wafer sandwiches and homemade local ice cream – the flavours usually ranging from vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, yam, corn to sweet peanut. Not the usual high street luxury flavours but luxury nonetheless to me considering how smooth and tasty the ice cream always is. Somehow, it’s never too creamy or too sweet and the fact that I can get it if I’m quick enough to catch the ice cream man makes the whole experience even more rewarding (if my little legs did carry me quick enough to chase the old ice cream man), rustic and indulgent. However, the week went by with no ice cream man in sight. The one time I heard the ringing of the ice cream man, it was too late and I’d lost him.
I was fed up. I was hot and sweaty. I had no ice cream maker but that wasn’t about to stop me. Not bloody likely.
I have been wanting to try one of Harumi’s recipes, which are always highly raved about. And lucky me, I found one adapted from her cookbook via Cookbook Catchall which is a real brilliant foodblog with fantastic food shots and recipes. The great thing about this recipe was the doing without of an ice cream maker which of course I do not have and doubt I will be able to afford one any time soon. Besides, it is one of those things I know I should really get since I’ll use it loads to get my money’s worth but somehow, have never found the mental or physical effort towards actually getting the dastard thing. But you know me – I’m laziness personified and I’ve always preferred the regular metal whisk or wooden spoon; so finding this recipe was like ‘WHEY!’, jackpot!
I actually enjoyed banging the wooden spoon about to break up the gradually freezing ice cream mixture. It was quite refreshing but a little part of me (obviously, the lazy bit) now desires an electronic ice cream maker to do the whole job for me whilst I go off and traipse about somewhere doing my own shizzle. Whoops. I’m caving. Aside from that, this was a straightforward recipe and easy to follow. Nothing too complicated or mentally challenging which was great and the ingredients were fairly easy to get hold of.
I highly recommend getting a pretty good grade or brand of matcha. Because making the ice cream was a pretty spur of the moment thing for me, I was unable to get my usual choice of matcha and had to resort to one which came in tiny single serving sachets. It was very light in colour and too mild a flavour for this recipe. The results were slightly disappointing since the matcha flavour was lacking and what was left was simply the taste of very sweet cream. I doubt I would’ve had this problem with the sugar either if I’d used a stronger matcha where its bitterness would undoubtedly have balanced out the sugar used in this recipe. Furthermore, the colour of the ice cream would’ve turned out a deeper, richer matcha green.
Despite that, I am thoroughly pleased with this recipe and will not hesitate to make it again. Jing Tea has informed me that they will finally be stocking matcha powder and that they’ve got a pretty amazing grade ready to be put on their webbie later this week! Exciting! Jing Tea is the UK’s premium online tea shop stocking a wide selection of green, black, white and blended teas all wonderfully packaged in air-tight bags or in tin boxes or gift sets. They’ve also got a wonderful range of teaware and accessories. Shipping within the UK is a breeze with Jing Tea and they ship worldwide as well, which is good news for whoever’s got their eye on their quality teas. If you’re unsure about certain teas or simply have questions about infusion times, etc., they’re always quick to return your emails with loads of helpful tips and advise. Real friendly team on hand to help.
Enough gushing about Jing, however, and let’s get to the promised pictures of my doggies. They got a little curious as to what I was doing with a camera and food. Unfortunately, only Daddy Scott and the boys are here to say hello. My little cocker Fifi was too busy looking for flowers to eat and what not. She’s too busy for the camera. Something tells me she can’t find the time to sit still for a couple of let’s-look-pretty-and-cute shots, when she could be doing something truly worth her while – like trotting about on her tiny legs hunting for juicy sweet flowers to eat and tiny creatures like geckos, frogs and beetles to torment. Pffft. Women.
Still, homemade ice cream, new flowers and a fresh garden and three loving doggies make for Happy Days @ Diva’s.
Green Tea Ice Cream
(Recipe from Cookbook Catchall)
Ingredients
- 2 tbs matcha
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 egg yolks
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
In a small bow, mix together with a fork or small metal whisk the green tea powder with 2 tbs sugar.
In a separate bowl, mix together the egg yolks and remaining sugar.
Pour the milk into a small heavy-based saucepan and gently heat, taking care not to let it boil (ideally the temperature of the milk should be 176 degrees F). Remove from the heat and mix a few spoonfuls of the warm milk with the green tea powder and sugar in a small bowl. When you have a smooth paste, add it to the remaining milk in the pan, then gradually combine with the egg yolk mixture. I used a whisk to ensure a smooth mixture.
Return mixture to the stove and heat slowly over low heat (taking care to not let the mixture boil), until the mixture has thickened a fair amount and now coats the back of a spoon. Remove, strain through a fine sieve, and allow to cool completely.
Lightly whip the cream til it is just firming up and then add it to the cold green tea-milk mixture.
Transfer the mixture to a large container. It is advised to chill for an hour or two in the refrigerator before placing it in the freezer. As ice crystals start to form, remove, and mix well with a wooden spoon to break them up and return the mixture to the freezer. Repeat this a few times as it freezes to ensure that the ice cream is smooth.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I love green tea ice-cream. Must be one of the perfect ice-cream flavour, ever!
September 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Aww how gorgeous are your puppies! I had no idea you had 4-that must be a huge effort (but so worth it). Marvellous looking ice cream too!
September 8th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Love the ice-cream & am endless intrigued by matcha. Really wish I had some…sigh! If u are laziness personified, I’ll eat my hat (thankfully I don’t have one LOL). Now this might be a good destination for my yolks, and those I have plenty of, after my many failed mac attempts. Love love love your pooches. They are adorable & precious! Melting eyes…wanna see Fifi too! xoxo
September 8th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I don’t know what I like best, the pupps or the ice cream! Can I have them all?!! And the pretty flowers to boot? Gosh, I am demanding…ahahah! Found great matcha on amazon.com and will be making this one soon!
September 8th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Anh: green tea is one of my favourite too, among others like pistachio, lemon sorbet and rum & raisin
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella: the poochies are cute arent they? They’re quite the handful especially since the little ones can be quite forceful and wild. Thanks Lorraine! still upset about the poor quality matcha though.
deeba: go getchaself some matcha! it’s one of my favourite ingredients to have around simply because it’s great in cookies, cakes, lattes or on its own as a traditional Japanese drink. gosh, i’m addicted to the stuff and all sorts of other teas. yay, make ice cream deeba. u always make wonderful things!! i’ll make sure to get her off the plants at some point and take a quick shot of her
xx
September 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Tartelette: you make me laugh tartelette! and no, u’re not demanding at all. the dogs are a handful so sure, why not. come take your pick!
i’m pretty generous with food so there’s no problem there. the flowers? my little cocker spaniel might get to them quicker. LOL.
lemme know how your ice cream goes! had a look at your matcha and it’s a pretty good one which i’ve used before. shd be very delicious!
xx
September 8th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Yes greentea ice cream can be such a treat especially on a hot summer day that smooth rich melt in your mouth feeling of cold ice cream, such a bliss.
September 8th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
A refined tasting ice cream! Wonderful!
Your dogs are adorable!
Cheers,
Rosa
September 8th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Can powered stevia be substituted for the granulated sugar, for a zero calorie version?
September 9th, 2009 at 2:45 am
Can the doggies enjoy the matcha ice cream too :p
September 9th, 2009 at 3:45 am
ben: hi there. i have never used powdered stevia before as any sugar substitute i’ve ever used would be something like Splenda or Equal, all chemically formulated sugar-free substitutes. What i know is that stevia, plant-derived, is a lot sweeter than sugar so if you do intend to use it in this recipe the substitute will probably look somethng like: 2/3 cup sugar = 2/3 tsp powdered or liquid stevia. I doubt the substitute should make any difference to the recipe since the sugar here does not really affect any sort of baking outcome. It may, however, change the flavour a little bit since stevia has a licorice tinge i believe. But, intriguing! Let me know how it turns out.
p/s. the recipe will still not be zero calorie due to the egg yolks, milk and cream.
xx
September 9th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Your dogs are sooooooo cute! I love matcha ice cream and all desserts with matcha… I am developing a matcha tiramisu :p
September 9th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
would we still be friends if i told you i’m not that big of a fan of green tea? i do however like ice cream and i don’t have a working ice cream maker. this method seems simple enough and your end result looks absolutely divine, very professional and not at all like a wooden spoon that was banged around every so often created it.
September 9th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Ellie@AlmostBourdain: i’ve had 1 matcha tiramisu in my life. it wasn’t that fantastic but i can imagine if done well, it would bring tears to my eyes!!! love matcha. cheers for stopping by. i can’t wait to see that matcha tiramisu on your blog Ellie
Lan: mate! would we still be friends if i told you there’s something seriously wrong with you if u don’t like matcha? LOL i’m just jesting though Lan. nah. each to their own and gosh, i love ice cream too so that’s enough for a solid friendship between u and me i gather. aww cheers Lan. i was pretty upset that it was too sweet because the regular grade matcha failed me completely.
xx
September 10th, 2009 at 2:43 am
I can never say no to any dish with Matcha in it, I’m so in love with its bitter, earthy flavors. If you have a KitchenAid, their ice-cream maker attachment is a great substitute for the full machine
September 10th, 2009 at 4:42 am
Looks great! If you have some ice and 2 large ziplock bags you can create a makeshift ice cream maker. Just put the ice cream mix in one bag, seal it well, then put that bag into the other bag and fill that one with ice and salt. Then just shake the bags together for about 15 minutes and you should have some soft serve ice cream.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I have tasted this ice cream before but now I must try your recipe to see which one is the best!
Looks very tasty though!
September 11th, 2009 at 2:06 am
Your dogs are so cute. You made such a beautiful ice cream. And the pictures are great.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:07 am
Diva girl. Lovely read, as always. And wow, wow, 4 dogs! I can hardly hand one we’ve had for a month now:)
I love green tea ice cream, but have never tried my hand at making it myself. Thanks for the recipe.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Danielle: a KA is good advice! cheers hun. might be a few years before i invest in one though. and preferably the green one
Marc @ NoRecipes: great advice. i’m intrigued if it gives me a softserve kinda texture. And i’ve 3 spare yolks to boot
Sophie: i don’t know if it will be the best but definitely use a matcha powder you like. I wasn’t too sure of this one and the flavour was sorely lacking. Lemme know how yours goes!
Hélène: thank you
the doggies are manic.
farida: awww you’re back! you have been missed. what doggie did you get yourself..didn’t realize you recently added one to the family.
xx
September 11th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Green tea ice cream always puts a big smile on my face. Love that unique green color, and that haunting sweet, slightly bitter taste.
September 14th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Hey there luv! I have been wondering about you…. I lurv… Macha ice-cream, green tea, adzuki, etc, etc….
September 15th, 2009 at 12:43 am
Never had or heard green tea ice cream. As I do love grean tea, I’m sure it gives a wonderful flavor to ice cream. It looks so tasty here.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:21 am
looks really delicious, I love green tea flavour. I must learn to make my own ice cream one day.
November 25th, 2010 at 7:37 am
I found this recipe too sweet for such a small portion. I think I might make some more custard to add to it.
November 25th, 2010 at 8:09 am
citrine: yes I noticed it was a bit sweet and had to add a little more matcha to it. Not the best recipe I’m afraid.