Pistachio Ice Cream

This was a challenge from a friend.  As I was making the ice cream I was questioning my motivations.  I was doing it for the puzzle, the learning experience, the acclamation, and that thing that has us wanting to do nice things for our fellow man.  I don’t know if any of these are valid reasons, but they were sufficient to put this man in action.  Anyway I read a little and thought a lot about what would make good pistachio ice cream.  I think it turned out well.  The friend purchased raw pistachios thru amazon, which facilitated the process.  I don’t think any of the other ingredients are hard to acquire.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups raw pistachios
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 2/3 cup skim milk
• 1 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions:

1.  Toast raw pistachios on cookie sheet in 200 degree oven stirring about every ten minutes until aroma fills kitchen or about 45 minutes.
2.  Let pistachios cool
3.  Take 1/2 cup of pistachios.  Place in blender container.  Add skim milk, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt.  Blend until all ingredients are incorporated.
4.  In bowl place sugar, cream, and your blended mixture.  Mix well.
5.  Pour mixture into ice cream maker.  Follow manufacturers instructions.
6.  While ice cream is mixing roughly chop remaining cup of nuts.
7.  When ice cream machine is finished, turn off, add chopped nuts, mix with spatula.
8.  Portion and either soft serve immediately or freeze in deep freeze for hard serve later.