Sunday, June 27, 2010

Strawberry Gelato ~ Now You Can Make your Very Own

  It’s summertime and what is enjoyed most at this time? Gelato.
I recently discovered Gelato. It is denser and richer than ice cream.
 
I must say, my preference is gelato over ice cream now. The thing I like most about gelato is the seasonal, fresh ingredients that go into it. I also like that it is less fattening than ice cream.
 
Gelato differs from ice cream in the lower butterfat content it has. Gelato contains around 4-8% versus 14% for ice cream. Gelato generally has slightly lower sugar content, between 16-22% versus approximately 21% for ice cream.
 
Gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream. As a result, it's denser due to less air whipped into the mixture. Gelato contains about 25 to 30 percent air, while ice cream can contain as much as 50 percent air. There’s not as much fat in gelato. Since it doesn't coat the mouth in the same way, the flavors are more intense."
 
Today’s recipe is Strawberry Gelato using my Delonghi gelato machine. What I love is how you can take dairy ingredients, seasonal fruit and come up with a dessert so creamy and wonderful. The strawberry flavor comes through the cream so sweetly…it’s heavenly!
 
You can get the Delonghi Gelato Maker at Williams-Sonoma. My machine makes about one pint. But, you can get a larger size. What I really like about this gelato maker is the ease of use. The compressor inside the machine allows no need to pre-freeze the bowl. So, you can make different flavor batches without waiting.
 
You can enjoy the gelato as is or embellish it with items such as:
  • Waffles
  • Fried tortilla shells
  • Brioche roll
 Below is a recipe for Strawberry Gelato accompanied by a photo tutorial. 
 

Strawberry Gelato
By Delonghi - Video-using Delonghi Gelato Maker: Williams-Sonoma website
Adapted by Carmen Ortiz
 Makes 6-8 portions

 
1 ½ cup cleaned strawberries
½ cup milk
½ cup cream
½ cup sugar
Pinch of Vanilla extract

 
White Rum or Vodka
Paper towel

 
PREPARATION:
1. Blend the strawberries with half the sugar (1/4 cup) in a blender.
2. Add the milk, cream and remaining ¼ cup sugar.
3. Mix well to dissolve the sugar.
4. Add vanilla extract.
5. Dab some rum on a paper towel.
6. Wipe the stainless steel gelato bowl with the rum laced paper towel. (do not allow rum to touch the central plastic area). This process prevents formation of ice between the bowl and aluminum bottom.
7. Insert the paddle in the stainless steel gelato bowl.
8. Pour strawberry mixture into the gelato bowl.
9. Top with the lid.
10. Plug in the gelato maker.
11. To incorporate ingredients: Turn knob to the function selector: [Paddle spin]
12. To make gelato: Turn knob to function selector: [Combined paddle rotation & chilling]
13. Allow to churn for 25-35 minutes.
14. Turn knob to the function selector: [Off]
15. Remove the lid and paddle.
16. Transfer the soft serve gelato to a bowl.
17. Storage: Put gelato in a container. Cover and store in freezer.

Enjoy your gelato!

Here's a photo tutorial in making your own Gelato:

Gather ingredients: strawberries, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, (rum-for bowl)
Wash strawberries.
Dry strawberries.
Hull strawberries and cut in quarters. (remove leafy stems)
Add strawberries to blender.

Add half the sugar.
Blend sugar and strawberries.
Add milk, cream and remaining sugar.
Mix well to dissolve sugar. Add vanilla.
Dab rum on paper towel.
Wipe bowl with rum. Do not allow rum to touch the central plastic area.
Insert the paddle. Pour the gelato in the bowl. (I added the gelato first. I don't think it matters)

Top with the lid and plug in the appliance.
Turn to PADDLE icon for a few seconds, then to the PADDLE & CHILLING icon.
Allow to chill for about 25-35 minutes.
Gelato is done.
So delish!!
Transfer to bowl and enjoy. Store gelato in a sealed container.
  You'll love making your own gelato using different flavor profiles.
 
Peace in gelato making,

Carmen

Baking is my Zen...sweet nibbles for the soul

12 comments:

Adventures in Domestic Cooking said...

I had Gelato for the first time about a month ago.
Yours looks fantastic!! Perfect for a summers day.

rebecca @ beurrista said...

My first encounter with gelato was at Vivoli in Florence, circa 1987, and I believe I went there two or three times a day during the duration of the visit. SOOOOO good.

Your post has me SERIOUSLY considering a gelato maker purchase now. I was contemplating ice cream maker, but this seems to be a better choice.

Your pictures are beautiful!

Gloria - The Ginger Snap Girl said...

Your gelato looks amazing! I love strawberry ice cream and I have a feeling I would love this strawberry gelato. Thanks for the details about the differences between the two. Learned something new today...I always assumed because gelato was richer it was more heavy in calories and fattening than ice cream.

Julie said...

Beautiful!!! I love gelato. I don't own a gelato maker but use my ice cream maker to make it.

Erica said...

That sounds and looks really scrumptious,Carmen!

Mary Bergfeld said...

Surely I have died and gone to heaven. I adore gelato and yours looks and sounds delicious. Your camera work is spectacular. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

Lazaro Cooks said...

Carmen,

Fantastic gelato post. Amazing photography and clear instruction.

Thanks you for the grill info. We are actively fighting with our condo association so...lets hope it goes our way!

Thanks

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

I've had gelato and waffles and it is AWESOME! What a great recipe...with beautiful photos!

sweetlife said...

beautiful gelato, love the color and on waffles...wow great idea my girls will love you for suggesting this..ha ha

sweetlife

Vegetarian Yogini said...

I love strawberries in any form- this is different- thanks for the detailed recipe- will try it for sure. Your pictures speak more than words!

Hanaâ said...

I love gelato, especially lemon gelato and straciatella gelato. Your strawberry version looks pretty tasty too :o)

test it comm said...

That melting strawberry gelato looks so good!

DO NOT USE MY PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT PERMISSION

ALL PHOTOGRAPHY (UNLESS INDICATED) IN THIS BLOG BELONGS TO CARMEN ORTIZ OF BAKING IS MY ZEN.

PLEASE DO NOT USE MY PHOTOGRAPHY WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.

Thank You.

~ Carmen Ortiz - blogger (Baking is my Zen)