Desserts Recipes - Star Anise Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

• 500ml/17fl oz/2 1/4 cups double (heavy) cream

• 8 whole star anise

• 90g/3 1/2oz/1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar

• 4 large (US extra large) egg yolks

• ground star anise, to decorate

Serves 6-8

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Method:

1. In a heavy pan, heat the cream with the star anise to just below boiling point, then remove from the heat and leave to infuse until cool.

2. In another pan, dissolve the sugar in 150ml/2/3 cup water, stirring constantly. Bring to the boil for a few minutes to form a light syrup, then leave to cool for 1 minute.

3. Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl. Trickle in the hot syrup, whisking constantly, until the mixture becomes mousse-like.

4. Pour in the infused cream through a sieve (strainer), and continue to whisk until well mixed.

5. Pour the mixture into a freezer proof container and freeze for 4 hours, beating twice with a fork or whisking with an electric mixer to break up the ice crystals. To serve, dust with a little ground star anise.

This syrup-based ice cream is flavored with the clean, warming taste of star anise and is the perfect exotic treat to cleanse the palate.

Cook's Tips: You can use an ice-cream maker with this recipe, if you have one. Simply pour in the mixture at the beginning of Step 5 and churn until smooth. Spices play an important role in many traditional Asian ice creams, with their lively tastes of cinnamon, clove, star anise and pandanus (screwpine) leaf also proving popular.