Thai Basil Ice Cream
4 cups milk (reduced with Thai basil to 2 cups yield)
2 cups Thai basil leaves
1/2 cup mint leaves
1 Tahitian vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped
1/2 pound sugar
3/4 cup egg yolks
2 cups heavy cream
Beaumes de Venise fruit compote
1 small pineapple, peeled and 1/2-inch dice
2 mangoes, 1/2-inch dice
1 small strawberry papaya, 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup Beaume de Venise wine (sweet muscat from Cotes du Rhone)
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In a non-reactive saucepan, simmer milk with basil, mint and the vanilla bean and reduce 50%. If time is available, let herb steep in milk overnight.
Strain out herbs and vanilla bean and heat with sugar. Bring to scalding. Hand whisk the yolks in a stainless steel bowl. Temper the yolks by adding only a ladle of hot milk to the yolks. Mix well then add tempered yolks back to the saucepan. On medium heat, whisk constantly for 2 minutes.
Strain and cool in an ice bath. When mixture is cooled, add heavy cream. Spin base according to manufacturer's instructions. Do not overspin the base. Spinning should stop when a soft-serve consistency is achieved, about 8 to10 minutes. Place in freezer before serving.
For the Beaumes de Venise Fruit Compote: In a non-stick skillet, heat everything together and reduce by 20 percent. Fruit should be hot, but still tender-firm.
PLATING In a pasta bowl, spoon the compote and top with 3 quenelles of ice cream. Serve immediately.
Wine Recommendation: Jean Thaeder, Muscat de Rivesaltes
Yield: 4 servings
Copyright, 1999, Ming Tsai, All Rights Reserved