Five-Herb Ice Milk

A delicate frozen dessert infused with five fresh herbs - lemon balm, basil, tarragon, mint, and lavender - combined with a creamy milk base for a refreshing and aromatic treat.

8 servings
2 hr 50 min

Ingredients

  • 4⅔ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 sprigs fresh lemon balm
  • 2 sprigs fresh basil
  • 2 sprigs fresh tarragon
  • 2 sprigs fresh mint
  • 2 sprigs fresh lavender
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 piece ice cream maker
  • 1 piece candy or instant-read thermometer

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan. Add herb sprigs and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Gently boil, whisking constantly, 1 minute.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Lightly beat yolks in a large bowl. Pour hot milk mixture through a sieve into a large glass measure, pressing gently on sprigs before discarding, then gradually add to yolks, whisking until combined.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Cook mixture in saucepan over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on thermometer, 3 to 5 minutes (do not let boil).

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Pour custard through cleaned sieve into a clean bowl and cool completely, its surface covered with wax paper. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.

    120 min

  5. 5.

    Freeze custard in ice cream maker. Transfer ice milk to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.

    30 min