(Photo courtesy of Elaine McCardel - The Italian Dish)Before I start my post I want to say "Thank You" to Elaine McCardel. She has a blog titled The Italian Dish (http://www.theitaliandishblog.com/). Be sure and check out her blog as it will leave you hungering for Italian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Today, we are going to talk ingredients and the most important thing to remember is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH. Always use the freshest ingredients when making Gelato. Most of the ingredients you will need are probably already in your kitchen.
MILK - depending on whether you want to make a cream flavor (such as chocolate or vanilla) or a fruit flavor (such as strawberry or peach), you need either water or milk. The best type of milk for the cream flavors of Gelato is whole milk (3.5%). The milk helps the Gelato obtain a creamy and smooth texture, but it also increases its resistance to melting. Also, milk used in Gelato is a great way to not only add protein to your diet but to get an extra serving of calcium. ~~~~~
WATER - if you want to make a fruit flavor of Gelato (also known as sorbetto) use water. While tap water will work just fine filtered water is preferred.
WATER - if you want to make a fruit flavor of Gelato (also known as sorbetto) use water. While tap water will work just fine filtered water is preferred. ~~~~~
SUGAR - not only
does sugar bring sweetness to the mix but it also helps decrease the freezing point and increase the viscosity. There are many different types of sugar that can be used. These include: sucrose (cane sugar), dextrose, lactose (natural sugar from milk), fructose (natural sugar from fruit) and invert sugars (glucose, honey and corn syrup).
does sugar bring sweetness to the mix but it also helps decrease the freezing point and increase the viscosity. There are many different types of sugar that can be used. These include: sucrose (cane sugar), dextrose, lactose (natural sugar from milk), fructose (natural sugar from fruit) and invert sugars (glucose, honey and corn syrup). ~~~~~
FRUIT - is a great addition to any fruit-flavored Gelato (known as sorbetto). Fruit can be added as fresh, frozen, juice or fruit puree. The natural acidity in the fruit helps to characterize the flavor and the natural sugar sweetens the mix. While fresh fruit makes for a really intense Gelato, frozen or fruit puree is a great way to enjoy your favorite fruit out of season.
FRUIT - is a great addition to any fruit-flavored Gelato (known as sorbetto). Fruit can be added as fresh, frozen, juice or fruit puree. The natural acidity in the fruit helps to characterize the flavor and the natural sugar sweetens the mix. While fresh fruit makes for a really intense Gelato, frozen or fruit puree is a great way to enjoy your favorite fruit out of season.
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AIR - is an important ingredient too! As Gelato is being frozen, the liquid mix is whipped with air to increase the volume of the product and smooth out the texture.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For a mouth watering recipe see Elaine's blog as she has a Chocolate Gelato recipe that sounds simply delicious! Now go get some FRESH ingredients, make a batch of Gelato ... then sit back and enjoy!
~ Chef ~
(Photo courtesy of Elaine McCardel - The Italian Dish)
(Photo courtesy of Elaine McCardel - The Italian Dish)
