Trio Of Gelati Recipes

Steps:

• For coffee gelato:
• Mix rum and instant coffee in small bowl until coffee dissolves. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and salt in heavy medium saucepan until no cornstarch lumps remain. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in coffee mixture. Press plastic wrap onto surface of gelato base. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. Transfer gelato base to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze.
• For chocolate-almond gelato:
• Combine almonds, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in processor; blend until nuts are finely ground. Transfer nut mixture to heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk. Whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted. Mix in almond extract. Press plastic wrap onto surface of gelato base. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. Transfer gelato base to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze.
• For zabaglione gelato:
• Combine 1/3 cup milk, egg yolks, sugar, Marsala, and salt in medium stainless steel bowl; whisk to blend. Place bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Whisk until thick and thermometer registers 160°F, about 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water. Whisk in remaining 1 cup milk. Press plastic wrap onto surface of gelato base. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. Transfer gelato base to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer gelato to container; cover and freeze. (All gelati can be made 3 days ahead. Keep frozen.)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, mix milk and cream. Warm until foam forms around the edges. Remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar until frothy. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture gels slightly and coats the back of the spoon. If small egg lumps begin to show, remove from heat immediately.
• Pour the mixture through a sieve or fine strainer into a bowl. Cover, and chill for several hours or overnight.
• Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a sealed container, and freeze until firm. If the gelato is too firm, place it in the refrigerator until it reaches the desired consistency.

Steps:

• Butter baking sheet. Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in nuts and peel. Immediately pour onto prepared sheet. Cool completely. Chop nougat.
• Simmer 3 tablespoons water and saffron in small saucepan until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Stir in honey. Set aside.
• Simmer 1/4 cup water and lavender in small saucepan until reduced by half, 1 minute. Add sugar; stir to dissolve. Simmer 2 minutes to thicken syrup slightly. Stir in honey. Set aside.
• Bring cream and milk to simmer in heavy large saucepan. Whisk yolks to blend in large bowl. Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolks. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir constantly over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 10 minutes (do not boil). Divide custard among 3 bowls (about 2 cups custard in each bowl).
• Stir nougat, brown sugar and pinch of salt into 1 bowl of hot custard. Whisk honey-saffron mixture into custard in second bowl. Whisk lavender mixture into custard in third bowl. Cool mixtures completely, stirring occasionally (nougat will dissolve). Chill nougat and honey-saffron custards until cold. Chill lavender custard at least 4 hours or overnight. Strain; discard lavender in strainer.
• Process ice cream custards separately in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze in covered containers. (Can be made 1 week ahead.)