Mango Gelato

Mango Gelato

First question, what is the difference between ice cream and gelato.  Basically gelato has less fat, less cream and more fruit.  The ice crystal consistency is like a cross between sorbet and ice cream.  You can call it what ever you want to, just make it. It's easy and the rewards are almost instantaneous.  All you need to make beautiful gelato/ ice cream is a blender, a freezer and delicious ingredients.  So get creative.

My standard combination is 1+1+1+1+1

1 cup of fruit

1 cup of juice or water

1 cup of half and half (you can use cream or milk too)

1 cup of sugar

1 pinch of salt

For mango I used 1 cup of frozen mango chunks, a cup mango juice, a cup of  half and half, almost a cup of sugar (I usually cut the sugar, it depends on the sweetness of the fruit--I start with 1/3 cup of sugar, blend and taste and then add in 1/3 cup increments until I get the perfect sweetness), a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of fresh ginger.  I put it all in the blender and blend until it looks like the perfect smoothie and then check for flavor, making any adjustments.  

I have a beautiful Cuisinart ice cream machine that churns the gelato but you do not need one.  If you have one, use it.  If you do not have an ice cream maker pour the ingredients into a large stainless steel bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in your freezer.  In an hour take the bowl out and use a whisk or fork to break up the ice cream that has frozen along the edges and work it into the center of the bowl.   Repeat this procedure every hour until your ingredients look and feel like ice cream.  It really is that simple.

Mango Gelato

1 c. frozen mango chunks

1 c. mango juice

1 c. half and half

1/3 - 2/3 c. sugar

1 TB fresh ginger, grated

1 pinch salt

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Taste for flavor and sweetness.  Finish gelato in an ice cream maker or use the procedure above.

 

Home made gelato/ice cream will freeze much more solid than store prepared so remove it from the freezer for 15 min. before serving to soften it up a bit.