I am over Spring’s split personality issues and ready for Summer’s constant reliability. Plus, Summer is HOT!
Sarah wrote this post back when it was freezing and I have been dying to share it with you. (She has shared her deliciousness with us before, here and here.)
Two of my best friends making an appearance in this yumminess…
basil and strawberries.
AND Ice Cream…read on my friends!
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It happens every winter. My pastiness/freezing-feet-all-the-time/cooped-up-ness gets the better of me and I find myself basking in the bright lights of a tanning bed for 10 minutes. (Let’s make that 7. After 10 minutes I’d be burned to a crisp.) It’s just enough to remind me that sunny days are on their way and I can survive a few more weeks.
This dessert is like tanning-bed-in-the-winter for your tongue. It came to me in a dream during my third trimester. I woke up with a simple thought: strawberries, basil, ice cream. Surprisingly enough, this wacky pregnancy craving is tasty even post-partum.
Strawberry Basil Ice Cream with Burnt Sugar Shards
Put the ice cream maker away. We’re taking a shortcut. (You think I had the energy to make ice cream from scratch at 36 weeks? Not a chance. I was taking my meals on the couch with my feet up.) This is as simple as it gets – strawberry ice cream and chopped, fresh basil.
Get the ice cream all melty-y. Stir in the chopped basil. As for proportions, it depends on how much you like basil but I’d go with one large basil leaf for every cup of ice cream. Once it is all stirred together, stick it back in the freezer until you’re ready to eat. (Or take it over to your pregnant friend’s house.)
But we’re not done! Add my favorite garnish that’s yummy to eat – burnt sugar shards. Stir 1/3 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of water in a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium high. Put down the spoon, from now on we’re going to swirl so we can avoid those pesky sugar crystals. You know, shake the pan around like you’re panning for gold. Now let it boil and swirl occasionally until it turns an amber color. Quickly and carefully pour onto a silicone mat or piece of parchment paper. Cool. 
Pull off the mat and drop it on the counter. It will shatter into beautiful pieces of candy.
Now isn’t that pretty? Pretty yummy.
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Thanks as usual, Sarah! Can’t wait to plant my basil this weekend! Now I have even more reasons to love it.
Nesleirbag says
How gorgeous is that! Maybe this flavor combination will take hold like the caramel/chocolate/bacon-sweet and salty combo has. Thanks for a super fun post, Sarah!
stacy says
Two of my favorite things too…I HAVE to try this…it looks delicious I want to eat it right off the computer screen. You are a cute writer Sarah…I enjoyed this post! Thanks!
Alison says
This is awesome. I never thought to put basil in ice cream.
Joan Morris says
This sounds so good and so easy. Just in time for a Mother’s Day dessert idea.Thanks Sarah!
Amber says
Humm I wouldn’t have ever thought of this combination humm sounds interesting.
Mindy says
I think this sounds genius! My favorite dessert of all time is olive oil ice cream (a Mario Batali creation at one of his restaurants in NYC) so I’m all about the sweet with savory. Cute writing too!
Ashlee says
As a pregnant person I can vouch for that…looks like it would really hit the spot right now!
Leslie L. says
Wow, that looks awesome! I would never think of such a combination of ingredients but each of those things are so tasty on their own that they’re BOUND to be yummy together! Thanks for another gourmet addition to the site, Sarah. I can’t wait to try this!
Teresa Walker says
Just in time for my fridge full of strawberries freshly picked from the strawberry patch. Will definitely give this one a try. The pics are beautiful, so it must so as well?! Thanks.
Patricia Mickelsen says
This sounds wonderful – I like the combination of flavors – unusual!
Jen says
I love strawberries and LOVE basil but have never thought of combining the two. This sounds very refreshing and I’m going to give it a try!
Thanks!
Jen
Scissors & Spatulas
Jessica says
This sounds so delicious! I’m going to be trying this one out for sure! Thanks for the idea Sarah.
PartyMom says
This sounds so good! I especially appreciate the fact that it doesn’t actually use an ice cream maker…no unitasker needed!
Deeba says
I recently did a strawberry and mint sorbet. This combination does sound divine, and the shards add to the appeal! Gorgeous!!
Sarah says
Strawberries and mint sounds amazing. I’ll have to try that next time I’m pregnant! (or maybe before.) 🙂