A Delightful Recipe for Lightly Spiced Guava Ice Cream
Imagine walking into a cozy kitchen filled with the sweet aroma of fresh guavas. That’s the kind of nostalgic scent that brings back cherished memories of a South African childhood. It’s hard to put into words just how delightful the fragrance of a perfectly ripe guava is. Those coral-pink beauties are a true treasure, especially during the winter months when they grace supermarket shelves and roadside stalls.
Guavas have always been a part of my life, something I never really stopped and appreciated. When I was a kid, we would eat them by the handful, fresh and juicy, or have them with tinned Ideal Milk, a favorite treat in South Africa. It’s funny, then, to think about how rare guavas are considered in other parts of the world. During the World Cup, an American intern named Samantha Hermann came to South Africa and wrote about her experiences. In her article, “Ten South African Things I Wish They Had in the USA,” she mentions how uncommon and expensive guavas are in America. She even admits to being jealous of us, because here you can find fresh guavas, guava juice, guava yogurt, dried guava, and so much more. As a fellow guava lover, I can understand her envy.
Have you ever wondered why I would want to make ice cream in the middle of winter? Well, let me tell you! This is the time when guavas are in season in South Africa, and besides, there are plenty of sunny and mild days in Cape Town that are perfect for enjoying a cool treat. (And don’t worry if you don’t have an ice cream machine – I’ll show you how to make it without one).
Now, let me introduce you to a light and refreshing guava ice cream. It’s made with a sugar syrup base and just a touch of cream (or you can use yogurt if you’re watching your calories). To add a little kick, I like to include a stick of cinnamon and a star anise in the sugar syrup, giving the ice cream a subtle spicy flavor. However, if you prefer the pure taste of guava, you can simply leave these spices out.
Try this Delightful Guava Ice Cream Recipe
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) water
- 1 cup (250 ml) white granulated sugar
- one whole star anise
- one 4-cm quill of cinnamon
- one thumb-sized strip of fresh lemon zest, white pith removed
- 8 ripe guavas
- 2 tsp (10 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 75 ml cream or plain white yoghurt
Hey, have you ever tried making guava ice cream? It’s delicious and refreshing! Here’s a simple recipe that you can follow:
To get started, grab a saucepan and add the water, sugar, star anise, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Give it a gentle stir and slowly bring it to a boil. Remember to stir occasionally. Let it simmer for around 10 minutes until the sugar syrup becomes clear. Allow the mixture to cool completely and then refrigerate it for an hour or two until it’s nice and cold.
Now, it’s time to prepare the guavas. Remove the tops and bottoms, but there’s no need to peel them. Cut them into chunks and toss them into a blender or a food processor with a metal blade. Give it a good whirl until you have a rough puree.
Next, grab a sieve and place it over a large bowl. Pour the guava puree into the sieve and use the back of a ladle to press down on the pulp. This will separate the liquid from the pulp and seeds. Get rid of the pulp and seeds and keep the smooth liquid in the bowl.
Now, strain the chilled sugar syrup into the bowl with the strained guava. Make sure to remove the spices and lemon peel. Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and either cream or plain yoghurt. Give it a nice stir to combine all the flavors.
Once everything is mixed together, it’s time to turn this mixture into ice cream. You can either use an ice cream machine or the freeze-and-beat method. If you have an ice cream machine, follow the instructions to churn the mixture until it’s nice and creamy. If you don’t have an ice cream machine, don’t worry! You can simply freeze the mixture in a freezer-safe container. Take the container out of the freezer every 30 minutes for the first 2-3 hours and give it a good mix. This will prevent ice crystals from forming and give your ice cream a nice, smooth texture.
Once your ice cream is ready, scoop it into bowls or cones and enjoy this delicious homemade guava ice cream! It’s the perfect treat to cool down on a hot summer day.
Serve the ice cream in cold glasses. You can make them cold by putting them in the freezer an hour before serving the dessert.
This recipe was originally shared on Scrumptious SA – A Lightly Spiced South African Guava Ice Cream.
My new cookbook, Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends (Struik Lifestyle), will be released in July 2012 at all major bookstores in South Africa.
My new cookbook, Scrumptious: Food for Family and Friends (Struik Lifestyle), will be available in July 2012 at all leading bookstores in South Africa.
