Levantine Delight: Pistachio Booza Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) whole milk 2 cups (470ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (75g) ground pistachios 1/2 cup (75g) ground pistachios
• 1 teaspoon mastic resin 1 teaspoon mastic resin
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat: 18g (Saturated Fat: 9g)
• Carbohydrates: 38g (Sugars: 35g)
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, and sugar. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix the ground pistachios, mastic resin, vanilla extract, and salt.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour the pistachio mixture into the saucepan with the milk mixture, stirring continuously.
4. 4.
   Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This should take about 10-15 minutes.
5. 5.
   Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
6. 6.
   Once cooled, transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.
7. 7.
   Once the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency, transfer it to a lidded container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
8. 8.
   Serve the Pistachio Booza Ice Cream in bowls or cones and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Pistachios — Make sure to use unsalted and shelled pistachios for the best flavor. If using salted pistachios, adjust the salt in the recipe accordingly.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped pistachios on top of the ice cream before serving.
• If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze it, stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Mastic resin can be found in specialty Middle Eastern stores or online. It adds a unique chewiness to the ice cream.

Serving advice

Serve the Pistachio Booza Ice Cream in small bowls or cones to fully enjoy its creamy and chewy texture. Garnish with a sprinkle of ground pistachios for an added visual appeal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, serve the Pistachio Booza Ice Cream in clear glass bowls or dessert glasses. You can also drizzle a touch of honey or a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top for an elegant finishing touch.