Grapefruit, Pineapple, Basil, Coconut Milk Gelato



When I was working for a flavor company, fruity tropical drinks were all the rage. To this day one of those flavor profiles I cannot shake. Grapefruit pineapple basil, that I worked on a big beverage company's project for a South American bottled drink. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water. It is sweet, tart, with a herbal basil aroma. I boosted this flavor profile by using light coconut milk as the base, and potentiating the flavors with a touch of salt. The flavors had to steep in the fridge (for several hours), and the texture had to be like velvet. Therefore, nothing could be cut or ground to so fine to the point where I could not strain it. Garnish. This cannot be some plain looking gelato. It needed embellishment. I decided to highlight the two main flavors: pineapple, which was sliced thin and dried in the oven at a low temperature; and basil leaves, which were fried at a very low temperature in vegetable/canola oil. I put the garish in a container of granulated sugar to protect them and sugar coat. 

Grapefruit, Pineapple, Basil, Coconut Milk Gelato
Ingredients:
  • 1 whole grapefruit (juiced)
  • ~2/3 pineapple
  • 1 can coconut milk (12 oz), unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, chiffonade (cut into very thin strips)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt


Directions:
  1. Blend or mill very rough/coarse the fruit + coconut milk + sugar + salt. Turn into large bowl.
  2. Add in the basil. Stir. Chill in fridge for several hours, preferably overnight.
  3. Strain before putting into ice cream maker.
  4. Garnish with crystallized pineapple and basil leaf.

Serve immediately if you prefer a soft-serve texture.  Turn into an airtight freezer-proof container and allow to firm up in freezer for a couple of hours if you want a harder texture to scoop.

-Erin Swing
Swing Eats

 This is part of Food Network's Sensational Sides Feast. Check out The FN Dish.  This week we're focusing on frozen treats.  On twitter, we're tagging #SummerSoiree.  Here’s the link to our Summer Soirée Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/foodnetwork/lets-pull-up-a-chair/  Other amazing frozen treat recipes to try out from our other friends:





For a savory frozen treat:

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