Ice cream dreams

Jul 4 2008 by Jane Hall, The Journal

Summer wouldn’t be the same without ice cream, as Jane Hall discovers.

ICE cream is one of summer’s essentials – whether it’s that cornet melting deliciously in the heat of the sun, or a snowy dollop on top of a bowl of strawberries, it’s a short cut to banishing the blues.

Nowadays, while there are a huge number of ice creams on offer, with flavours to suit any taste from sweet to savoury, some of the top quality ices can be pricey.

But making your own isn’t difficult or expensive says chef and ice cream addict, Chris Tanner, who with his brother James has whipped up a feast of ice creams in a new book, Ice Cream. He says: “Everyone loves ice cream. It’s the ultimate comfort food and the perfect finale to a meal. But although there are some very good commercially made varieties, there’s nothing quite like making your own.

“An ice cream machine takes all the hard working of making ice cream but an equally good ice cream can be made without one.

“The secret to a smooth ice cream is to beat the mixture well, to break down any ice crystals that form during the churning process. The other secret to success is to use the freshest ingredients.”

The Tanner brothers have appeared on TV programmes such as Ready Steady Cook, Saturday Kitchen and their own show The Tanner Brothers.

Chris, 38, says: “I love classic vanilla, and a nostalgic version of that 70s dessert, Arctic roll. We’ve created a Rice Pudding Arctic Roll with Raspberry Coulis.”

The book is packed with classic treats and innovative ones, from a Vanilla or a Sicilian Bombe, to the biblical-sounding Milk And Honey Ice Cream.

Chris tests out his recipes on his two daughters, Olivia, seven, and four-year-old Isabelle.

“They enjoy all the mixing, it doesn’t take long and they can’t wait to eat the results. My kids love our Praline and Chocolate Lollipops.”

Two of his favourite ice creams are Strawberry Clotted Cream and Iced Irish Cream Souffle.

:: Ice Cream, by The Tanner Brothers, is published by Jacqui Small at £8.99.