Chef Johns Strawberry Ice Cream Recipes

STRAWBERRY DREAM

Steps:

• Prepare strawberry puree: Mix quartered strawberries and sugar in a 2-cup liquid measure or bowl. Let sit and macerate for 1 hour, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes. Use an immersion blender to blend into a smooth puree. Pass through a mesh strainer to remove seeds, if desired. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Prepare cream mixture: Combine sugar and cream in a saucepan. Set heat to medium-high and bring to a boil while whisking occasionally; be careful, since cream can easily boil over. Once cream just starts to boil, reduce heat to between medium and medium-low and maintain a steady simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in vanilla, lemon juice, and 1/3 cup of the reserved strawberry puree until completely incorporated. Let cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
• While the cream is cooling, pour the remaining strawberry puree evenly into 4 dessert glasses.
• Pour the cooled cream mixture into the glasses. Wrap with plastic wrap and pop in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, 3 to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare topping: Toss diced strawberries and sugar together in a small bowl. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill alongside the strawberry dreams.
• When ready to serve, remove strawberry dreams and topping from the refrigerator. Stir the topping and spoon strawberries and any accumulated juices on top of each dream.

CHEF JOHN'S STRAWBERRY SEMIFREDDO

Steps:

• Line 10 ramekins with plastic wrap and place them onto a baking sheet.
• Hull strawberries with the tip of a knife. Place strawberries in a food processor. Add sugar, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle in a tiny pinch of salt. Pulse on and off to combine; finish pureeing on high until smooth.
• Whisk heavy cream in a bowl until soft peaks form. Add the strawberry puree. Stir and fold with a spatula until most of the major streaks disappear. Fill ramekins 1/4 to 1/8 inch from the top with the strawberry mixture. Tap baking sheet against the counter to settle the tops. Cover ramekins in plastic wrap and freeze until mostly firm, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, place cookies in a resealable plastic bag. Seal; crush cookies through with a rolling pin to get 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. Place crumbs into a bowl; add butter and mix well.
• Divide the cookie crumb mixture among the ramekins and smooth out with the back of a spoon. Cover again and freeze until completely frozen, about 2 hours.
• Toss diced strawberries with sugar in a bowl. Let rest at room temperature until a syrup forms below the strawberries, about 1 hour.
• Warm up each ramekin in your hands to help unmold the semifreddo; invert onto a plate. Top with the strawberries in syrup. Thaw for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.