If there's one thing in this world we can all agree on, it's that there really isn't a wrong time to eat ice cream.
Ice cream is there for us no matter the day, no matter the season. But isn't there just something extra sublime about pairing the perfect scoop with a warm summer day? Doesn't it just taste a little better?
All I know is that when the sun comes out, my ice cream machine comes out too. I begin to fill all those empty yogurt containers I've been hoarding in the pantry and to experiment with flavors. I like to steep fresh herbs in the base or turn whatever fruit is getting too soft for eating into a compote topping.
Sometimes I think of ice cream making as food preservation…a way to save some fruit I'm enjoying now for later on. (If you live with other ice cream eaters, I suggest labeling it as "broccoli soup” and stashing it in the back of the freezer, so that you actually still have some "later.")
Most ice cream recipes require cooking on the stovetop and then a patient cooldown in the refrigerator. This frozen yogurt recipe is nice not only because there is no heat involved, except for the compote, but because the tang of the yogurt lets the berry flavor really shine. You can swap in any berry you have on hand or in the garden, but blackberry and lime are pretty great when they team up. Frozen berries work just fine, but when you're making the swirl, allow them to simmer about 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Blackberry Lime Swirl Froyo
Frozen yogurt base:
3 cups plain whole milk yogurt
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Blackberry lime swirl:
2 cup blackberries
3/4 cup sugar
Juice from one lime (about 2 Tbsp.)
- Whisk the yogurt, sugar and vanilla together well.
- Let base rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
- While the base chills, make the swirl. Mix washed berries, sugar and lime juice in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil, stir, then reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool completely.
- When the base is chilled and ready to process, give it another good whisking to make sure that all the sugar has dissolved before adding it to the machine.
- Process according to the directions for your ice cream maker, usually about 25 minutes.
- Immediately scoop out of the machine, alternating with spoonfuls of the swirl; pack it into a freezer container. Eat right away or store in the freezer for future yums.
