SPRING IN JERSEY - HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

 HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY ICE CREAM

I am so excited because today we are making the first batch of Jersey strawberry ice cream for the season. Nothing is more exciting than making homemade ice cream. Well, mostly. It is pretty exciting, especially for kids. They get so excited watching the ice cream maker do it's thing, and anticipating that ice cold, creamy, sweet taste that they love! And who doesn't love a bowl of ice cold, creamy, sweet ice cream after dinner for dessert. And there is nothing like making your own. Sure, you can run down to the local store and buy a carton, but you will get additives that you don't really want, it certainly doesn't taste as good, and there is something that just makes you feel so good about making your own. 

For this strawberry ice cream, I used Jersey strawberries of course, but you can use any variety that you want. I love using Jersey strawberries because honestly, I think they are the best! And why are Jersey strawberries better? Because they are juicier and sweeter than the sturdier hybrids grown hardy enough to be shipped around the country. In New Jersey we are fortunate enough to have community strawberry festivals, so that if you really don't want to make your own ice cream, you can find it at one of these festivals, and lots of other Jersey strawberry treats. But I just know, after reading this, you are going to want to try a homemade batch for yourself. 

Now I want to tell you, when you make this ice cream, cut up your strawberries in small quarters so that the each piece of fruit is not too large in the cream. Also, it is very important that you mix the sugar into the strawberries, and then let it set until the sugar dissolves, so that when you mix in the other ingredients, it mixes together well, and the strawberries are thoroughly coated with the sugar. They need to set at least 30 to 60 minutes. Also, you will notice that the ice cream is not pink. The pink color is achieved only if you add food coloring. This is optional. I did not add it to this batch, only because I didn't have it on hand, but a little food coloring is still natural, and the kids love the pink color. But you decide. 

What you will need: 2 1/2 cups of sugar - 5 1/4 cups of heavy cream - 3 cups of fresh strawberries, cut up and mashed slightly - 5 1/4 tsps. of vanilla extract - 2 1/2 cups of half and half - 10 drops of red food coloring, which is totally optional

What to do: Combine the sugar and mashed strawberries and mix well. Let set at least 30 minutes. Mix the strawberry mixture with the rest of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Then, carefully transfer the ingredients into the ice cream maker's canister. Follow your maker's instructions from there.