Blackberry Gelato Recipes

BLACKBERRY GELATO

Steps:

• Put blackberries in a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl; press them through the mesh with the back of a wooden spoon, scraping the pulp gently across the mesh to extract as much juice and solids as you can while leaving the seeds and skin behind (be sure to cover up to protect clothing from splatters).
• Set strained puree aside but do not discard the seeds in the strainer.
• You should have about 1 ¼ cups blackberry puree.
• In a bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar with a whisk or electric mixer at medium speed until pale yellow and thick, like a grainy paste, about 2 minutes.
• Heat the milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles dot the pan's inside rim; do not boil but adjust heat to keep the mixture this hot.
• Whisk about 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg mixture until smooth, then whisk this combined mixture into the remaining hot milk mixture until smooth.
• Immediately decrease heat to very low-if you are using an electric stove, move the pan to an unused burner just now set on low.
• Cook slowly, stirring constantly, until the mixture rises slightly in the pan and is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 3 minutes.
• Add a small amount of the custard to the sieve with the blackberry seeds, and push them again against the mesh into the bowl with the blackberry puree, thereby getting the last amount of pulp out of the seeds.
• Discard the seeds and wash the strainer.
• Strain the remaining custard into the bowl with the puree; add the salt and stir well.
• Refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Freeze the custard in you ice cream machine according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Serve at once or transfer to a freezer container, seal tightly, and store in freezer for up to1 month; soften at room temperature for up to 10 minutes before serving.

RICOTTA GELATO WITH BLACKBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the gelato: In a saucepan whisk together the half-and-half, the milk, the ricotta, and the sugar, add the cinnamon stick, and bring the mixture just to a boil, stirring. Remove the pan from the heat, add the zest, and let the mixture stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Force the mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl and stir in the corn syrup and the vanilla. Chill the mixture, covered, until it is cold and freeze it in an ice-cream freezer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Pack the gelato tightly into six 1/2-cup dariole or other molds, cover each mold with plastic wrap, and freeze the gelato for 30 minutes, or until it is ready to be served.
• Make the blackberry sauce: In a heavy saucepan melt the sugar over moderate heat, stirring with a fork, and cook the syrup, swirling the pan occasionally, until it is a golden caramel. Working carefully and quickly, stir in the water, the blackberries, the lemon juice, and the crème de cassis (the mixture will bubble up), stirring until mixture is combined well, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat until the caramel is dissolved. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing hard on the solids, and chill the sauce, covered, until it is cold.
• Divide the sauce among 6 dessert plates, unmold the gelato, and arrange it in the center of the plates. Garnish each serving with some of the mango and the blackberries.