Wild Honey Lavender Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup wildflower honey
• 1/2 cup dried lavender (buds only)
• 3 cups Ice Cream Base (recipe below), very cold
• 10 drops natural purple food coloring, preferably India Tree brand (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water and the honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then take it off the heat. Stir in the lavender, cover the saucepan, and let steep at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight.

2. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a container, pressing on the flower buds to extract as much liquid as possible. Chill until cold and use it right away, or refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

3. Put the lavender syrup, ice cream base, and food coloring (if you’re using it) into a bowl and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and turn on the machine. Churn just until the mixture has the texture of soft-serve (depending on the machine).

4. Transfer the ice cream, scraping every last delicious drop from the machine, into freezer-friendly containers. Cover with parchment paper, pressing it to the surface of the ice cream so it adheres, then cover with a lid. It’s okay if the parchment hangs over the rim. Store it in the coldest part of your freezer (farthest from the door) until firm, at least 6 hours. It will keep for up to 3 months.

SALT & STRAW’S ice cream base

(Makes about 3 cups)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dry milk powder
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (Yes, I’m easy to find!)
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 1 1/3 cups heavy cream

Directions:

1. Combine the sugar, dry milk, and xanthan gum in a small bowl and stir well.

2. Pour the corn syrup into a medium pot and stir in the whole milk. Add the sugar mixture and immediately whisk vigorously until smooth. Set the pot over medium heat and cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat if necessary to prevent a simmer, until the sugar has fully dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat.

3. Add the cream and whisk until fully combined. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours, or for even better texture and flavor, 24 hours. Stir the base back together if it separates during the resting time. The base can be further stored in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. (Just be sure to fully thaw the frozen base before using it.)