| From Anne Marie Helmenstine,
Ph.D.,
You can use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream
pretty much instantly. This makes a nice cryogenics
or phase change demonstration. It's also just
plain fun. This recipe is for strawberry ice
cream. If you omit the strawberries, you can
add a bit of vanilla for vanilla ice cream or
some chocolate syrup for chocolate ice cream.
Feel free to experiment!
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Minutes
Here's How:
1. This recipe makes a half gallon of strawberry
ice cream. First, mix the cream, half-and-half,
and sugar in the bowl using the wire whisk.
Continue mixing until the sugar has dissolved.
2. If you are making vanilla or chocolate ice
cream, whisk in vanilla or chocolate syrup now.
Add any other liquid flavorings you might want.
3. Put on your gloves and goggles. Pour a small
amount of liquid nitrogen directly into the
bowl with the ice cream ingredients. Continue
to stir the ice cream, while slowly adding more
liquid nitrogen. As soon as the cream base starts
to thicken, add the mashed strawberries. Stir
vigorously.
4. When the ice cream becomes too thick for
the whisk, switch to the wooden spoon. As it
hardens more, remove the spoon and just pour
the remaining liquid nitrogen onto the ice cream
to fully harden it.
5. Allow the excess liquid nitrogen to boil
off before serving the ice cream.
Tips:
The mix of whipping cream and half-and-half
helps to make a very creamy ice cream with small
crystals, that freezes quickly.
Don't touch liquid nitrogen or store it in a
closed container!
If the ice cream begins to melt before everyone
is served, simply add more liquid nitrogen.
A large plastic mug with a handle is good for
pouring the liquid nitogen. If you use a metal
container, be sure to wear gloves.
I'm told a cordless drill with a mixing attachment
is even better than a whisk and wooden spoon.
If you have power tools, go for it!
What You Need:
5 or more liters of liquid nitrogen
gloves and goggles recommended
large plastic or stainless steel punch bowl
or salad bowl
4 cups heavy cream (whipping cream)
1-1/2 cups half-and-half
1-3/4 cups sugar
1 quart mashed fresh strawberries or thawed
frozen berries
additional half cup of sugar if you are using
unsweetened berries
wooden spoon
wire whisk
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