Bastani Sonnati - Traditional Iranian Saffron Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) heavy cream 2 cups (470ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 1 tablespoon rosewater 1 tablespoon rosewater
• 1/4 cup (30g) chopped pistachios 1/4 cup (30g) chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup (60ml) frozen cream, cut into small pieces 1/4 cup (60ml) frozen cream, cut into small pieces

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 14g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 25g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a small bowl, combine the saffron threads with 1 tablespoon of hot water. Let it steep for 10 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream, milk, and sugar over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally.
3. 3.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the saffron mixture and rosewater. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
4. 4.
   Once cooled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
5. 5.
   During the last few minutes of churning, add the chopped pistachios and frozen cream pieces.
6. 6.
   Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bastani Sonnati in bowls or cones, garnished with additional pistachios if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Saffron — To extract the maximum flavor and color from saffron, crush the threads slightly before steeping them in hot water.
• Rosewater — Use a high-quality rosewater to ensure a delicate and authentic flavor in the ice cream.
• Pistachios — Roasting the pistachios before chopping them will enhance their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, use full-fat dairy products.
• Make sure the saffron is completely dissolved in hot water before adding it to the ice cream mixture.
• Chilling the mixture thoroughly before churning will result in a smoother ice cream.
• If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a lidded container and freeze it, stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Experiment with different toppings such as rose petals or a drizzle of honey for added elegance.

Serving advice

Serve Bastani Sonnati in bowls or cones, and consider garnishing with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios or a drizzle of rose syrup for an extra touch of flavor and presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of Bastani Sonnati, serve it in elegant glass bowls or on decorative dessert plates. Consider adding a few saffron threads on top for a pop of color.