Peach Ice Cream with Ginger Peach Compote

Peach Season is almost over....

Remember my last post on peaches?  How I talked about childhood memories of making peach ice cream?

Think I was going to let peach season pass and NOT make peach ice cream?

Heck, think I was going to let SUMMER pass and not make any ice cream AT ALL??

Those crazy words....

Of course I'm going to make peach ice cream.  It's one of my faves.  I made this batch for my mom last time she was here.  She was really wanting peach ice cream and we had a very fine bunch of peaches...I mean I kinda went peach crazy when she was here.  Peach-tacular.

Peach Ice Cream

1 1/2 C Heavy Cream

1 C Whole Milk

1/4 C Sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

5 Large Egg Yolks

1/4 C Sugar

3-4 Large Peaches

2 TBSP Sugar

1 peach cut into 1/2 pieces (optional)

Combine cream, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and vanilla in a medium saucepan.  Heat over medium till simmering stirring constantly till sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Whisk egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar together in a medium bowl.  Beat with a whisk until pale yellow and thick.  About 2 minutes.  Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the warm cream mixture.  Then whisk the yolks into the remaining cream in the saucepan.  Whisk till combined and then return to heat.  Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally till thickened.  It should coat the back of a spoon.  Strain the custard into a zip top bag and put it in the fridge to chill.....or if your in a hurry, put the bag into a bowl of ice water and set aside. 

Puree your peaches and your remaining sugar together in a blender.  Strain into a bowl, removing pulp and skin.  Set aside or in the fridge.

Once your custard is chilled, remove from the fridge (or ice bath) and put it in your ice cream maker.  Start your ice cream maker and slowly add the peach puree.  Process the custard till firm.  If your adding the optional peach pieces add them near the end....when the custard looks just about set.  

Scoop mixture into a freezer safe container and freeze at least 4 hours.

Now that's pretty dang tasty as it is...but if it just isn't peach enough for you...or you want to add a little spice...kick it in to another gear...

Ginger Peach Compote

2 Large Peaches, sliced
1 tsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 tsp grated ginger (fresh is best but powder works too)
1/4 tsp cardamom
1 tsp cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat with 1 TBSP water.  Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes till thickened and peaches are soft.  Try not to stir too much or you'll break up all your peach slices.  Let cool.  Then top your ice cream.  :)

It's pretty amazingly peachy.

Goodness.  Summer goodness.