I am on an ice cream roll out here! By the time Arvind was finishing the last scoop of the Cherry Ice Cream, I got ready to whip another batch of a milder flavor this time. Did I fall in love with ice cream? Well, not yet, but I have definitely fallen in love with the idea of making ice cream at home. And while summer is still here, why not indulge a little bit more on the creamy yummy goodness.
On our last trip to Bangkok, Arvind relished a lot on coconut ice cream. It’s very well known out there. From an elegant restaurant to a tiny shop on the street, from roadside stand to the food court in the shopping mall, its everywhere in Bangkok and you just can’t miss it. It’s served in a simple white bowl with no fancy topping. At times, they would just drizzle some buttery coconut milk on top and that’s it, plain and humble. Yes, I tasted it and I liked it! The texture was very light and airy. It taste coconut-y of course but was not excessively sweet.
I wanted to recreate a similar texture with just a hint of vanilla in it.
Did you know that Vanilla was once considered as an aphrodisiac and it was reserved only for royalty. Thank God, it's not the case anymore! Since this ice cream had only one flavor profile, I wanted it to be rich and pure and that is why I used vanilla beans instead of the extract. I am sure pure vanilla extract would work as well.
This time I didn't used condensed milk as I was worried that it might overpower the subtle sweetness of the coconut milk. Mascarpone, on the other hand, is more mild and creamy. The combination resulted in a smooth silky, not too dense, not too sweet, flavorful ice cream. Just what I was looking for.
Sometime less is more and Arvind kept reminding me the same when I asked if I could add some lemon zest for tang! He was watching me or should I say monitoring the ice cream, making sure I don’t add anything extra. He wanted a plain and simple, coconut vanilla ice cream. Period.
I sprinkled some pan roasted coconut flakes on top while serving, which added a lovely crunchy bite.
Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut milk (kept at room temperature)
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese (kept at room temperature)
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup grated coconut (I used dried flakes bought from store)
- seeds of 1 vanilla bean
- 2 tablespoons grated coconut (pan roasted (to be used while serving))
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk coconut milk, sugar and mascarpone together for about 10 minutes until it's smooth and creamy.
- Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise right in the center and with the back of the knife scrape the seeds out.
- Add it to the bowl and whisk again for about 5 minutes.
- Cover and let it freeze for couple of hours.
- Take it out and let it come to room temperature .
- Add the grated coconut and whisk again for about 10 minutes.
- Cover and let it freeze for 8 hours before you serve it.
- While serving, drizzle some pan roasted coconut flakes on top.
Notes
- Coconut milk and grated coconut is easily available in any Indian store or Asian aisle in any super market.
- Before serving, let the ice cream rest at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften it a little.
- Vanilla extract can be used instead of vanilla beans.
- Once you use the vanilla seeds, keep the pod back in the air tight jar for later use.
Nutrition
This could be one of those ice creams that I actually liked and cared for a couple of more scoops.
Sublime Palate
Even though I am no major ice cream lover, your ice cream posts one after the other are sure to convert a non-ice cream lover to an ice cream lover.. Ok, at least make them try it if not convert them:) Hadn't heard of vanilla being an aphrodisiac.. What would the not-so-royal majority do without vanilla!!
The sequence of pictures of the ice cream are telling a story by themselves. From start to finish:)
Joanne
I am endlessly in love with ice cream and this flavor sounds like it will certainly be a favorite!
Nerissa
I'm not the biggest fan of ice cream either but cherry and coconut are two flavours I do like. Perhaps you would like sorbets better? I know the French make a sorbet from William Pears that almost made me cry in happiness.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Gorgeous lighting, Kankana! All these pictures look perfect. Plus, I love coconut ice cream. I'm saving this recipe and would love to make it myself. I love the blue color of the spoon, bowl, and the cloth. These photos became one of my favorite pictures from your blog. 🙂
IshitaUnblogged
It's the ice-cream season, I see! First cherries now Coconut... I've made a Coconut Mango one - was pretty good.
And really didn't know that a simple Vanilla could be an aphrodisiac - thought there were other flavours to do the trick:)
Vimitha
Thats a very refreshing bowl... Perfect little treat
Arch
Look at you, girl ! You are seriously on a roll !! This sounds so good ! nice clean flavours and beautiful pics, as always...
Tes
Oh your ice-cream look so delicate 🙂 I need to make some of this 🙂
Sia | Monsoon Spice
Both r gorgeous, ice cream and the props :)Are we going to see more ice creations next? 😀
Notyet100
Drooling I am craving for some now,,..:).
Sawsan (Chef in disg
I love icecream with simple clean flavors. It some how seems more enjoyable 🙂
Keep Calm and Eat On
I am liking this ice cream roll of yours. Funny how good food photographs makes you want for more just like the edible treat. Love a little crunch with creamy ice cream. In any case the husband must be over the moon with all these treats, are you bargaining anything at all? 😉
nags
LOVE the flavours you have used. and the pics... oh so gorgeous!
Nandita
Gosh!! You can't tempt us like this Kankana!! I love the flavour of coconut and I jsut love this ice cream. I just an't wait for winter to end here. And BTW Congrats for the dMBGiT win 🙂
Rosa
A fabulous ice cream! Heavenly tasting, I'm sure. Love your pictures.
Cheers,
Rosa
Rose ( Magpie's Recipes)
Simply beautiful! Such neat scoops too! my cherry mascarpone ice cream is sitting in the freezer, can you please come and photograph it for me?!
Mallika
Your pictures speak a 1000 words... now that's what I call a bowl of ice cream to die for! Brilliant composition for a decadent treat of coconut ice cream!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Found you via Jean's pin on Pinterest :). Beautiful photos, I love the sound of this ice cream and the addition of mascarpone!
Jean (Lemons and Anchovies)
Keep the ice cream recipes coming--I love this flavor. Your pictures are so enticing and I really liked the behind the scenes shot you shared on Facebook. 🙂
Anamika@madcooking
Hey you seem to be on an ice cream spree, one of my fav too, we get equally delicious coconut ice cream out here in Bangalore from Naturals...your pics making me crave for a scoop soon :)!