Homemade Gelt Recipes

STRAWBERRY GELATO

Steps:

• Place first 6 ingredients in a blender; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add cream, processing just until combined. Remove to a bowl; stir in lemon juice. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, about 4 hours., Fill cylinder of ice cream maker no more than two-thirds full; freeze according to manufacturer's directions. (Refrigerate any remaining mixture until ready to freeze.), Transfer ice cream to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze until firm, 3-4 hours.

GELATO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, mix milk and cream. Warm until foam forms around the edges. Remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture gels slightly and coats the back of the spoon. If small egg lumps begin to show, remove from heat immediately.
• Pour the mixture through a sieve or fine strainer into a bowl. Cover, and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a sealed container, and freeze until firm. If the gelato is too firm, place it in the refrigerator until it reaches the desired consistency.

GELATO: THE BASIC RECIPE

Steps:

• Pour the milk, or milk and cream, half of the sugar and, if using, the vanilla pod or lemon zest, into a saucepan and bring the milk nearly to a boil. When the very first bubbles begin to appear, take it immediately off the heat and let it cool. (If using the optional vanilla or lemon zest, you can cover the saucepan, which will slow down the cooling process and prolong the steeping process, thus drawing out more of their flavor.)
• When the milk has cooled, put the egg yolks into an electric mixer together with the other half of the sugar. Beat at a high setting until the egg yolks and sugar have been totally combined and developed a creamy quality. You will be able to see ripples as the mixer turns.
• Lower the setting and slowly add your cooled milk (from which you will have removed the vanilla or lemon zest if using) in a steady stream. Mix until everything is well amalgamated.
• Transfer the mixture back into the saucepan. Heat the mixture gently until the eggs thicken it into a thin custard-thick enough to coat a spoon lightly-but not so much that the egg curdles. Be attentive, increasing the heat very gradually from low to medium or medium-high, stirring constantly until you begin to 'feel' the mixture beginning to thicken, and then lowering the heat immediately to low. If you fee the mixture is getting too hot, you can add a bit of cold milk to the saucepan to avoid curdling.
• Once the mixture has thickened nicely, remove it from the heat, pour it into a bowl and chill in the fridge for about an hour. Stir from time to time to prevent a film from forming on the surface of the mixture.
• Pour the batter into an ice cream maker and proceed to churn per the instructions that came with the machine. Typically, you will churn the batter for 20-30 minutes, which results in a 'soft serve' texture. If you want a firmer gelato, freeze it for an hour or two before serving.

CLASSIC GELATO

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Warm the milk in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons of the sugar, and the milk powder. Stir well to ensure everything is incorporated.
• Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to infuse while preparing the remaining ingredients.
• Place the egg yolks into the bowl of a stand mixer with the remaining vanilla extract and sugar. Whisk for at least 10 minutes until the eggs are light, fluffy, and increased in volume.
• Put a mixing bowl large enough to hold the custard into the freezer or chill the bowl with ice cubes.
• Gently reheat the milk mixture until warm but not hot or boiling to avoid curdling the custard.
• Pour the liquid slowly over the beaten eggs with the mixer running on medium speed; take care and do not rush this process.
• Return the custard to the pan and place over low heat. Stir continuously and cook slowly and gently until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.
• Pour the custard into the chilled bowl and continue to stir until the custard is cold.
• Pour the gelato into a plastic tub with a well-fitting lid. Put into the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Take the custard out and beat with either a fork, hand whisk, or electric hand mixer to break down the custard into a smooth consistency. Do this 3 or 4 times every 30 minutes.
• Store the gelato in a plastic tub with a well-fitting lid.
• Remove the gelato from the refrigerator 10 minutes before serving.
• Cut a circle of greaseproof paper and lay this on the surface of the custard (this prevents a skin forming). Put the custard into the fridge for 3 to 4 hours or even overnight.
• Churn in ice cream machine following the manufacturer's instructions.

HOMEMADE GELT

Steps:

• Brush miniature muffin cups lightly with oil. Pour about 1 teaspoons melted chocolate into each cup and bang on counter. Sprinkle with almonds. Refrigerate until set. Remove from muffin cups and blot off any excess oil, if needed.

HOMEMADE HANUKKAH GELT

Steps:

• Brush a 24-cup mini muffin pan or two 12-cup mini muffin tins (preferably nonstick) with oil.
• Put the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each, until completely melted and smooth, about 90 seconds.
• Divide the melted chocolate evenly among the cups of the prepared muffin tin, about 1 3/4 teaspoons per muffin cup. (You can also use a pastry bag for this part.) Tap the muffin tin against the counter to remove any air bubbles and even out the chocolate.
• Top with gold sprinkles and refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Use an offset spatula to remove the chocolate from the tin.

HOMEMADE GELT

Steps:

• Brush a 12-cup mini muffin tin with safflower oil. Using a microwave, melt dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl in 10-second increments, stirring in between. Divide melted chocolate evenly among prepared muffin cups. Top with cacao nibs, orange zest or candied ginger, as desired. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Using an offset spatula, remove the chocolates; blot any excess oil. Wrap in gold or silver candy papers (available at papermart.com). Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.