Keeping it Simple
By on November 9, 2009 8:38 PM
After the undisputed success of Cipriani's dark chocolate gelato both at home and with you all, I decided to confer with Marcella once more. No I didn't email the darling women again, instead I decided to flick through her book, which just so happened to arrive in the mail last week.
This time I was after a basic ice cream recipe as my fussy son has been harassing me to 'make - some - plain - ice-cream - mama!' I was pleased to find a rather straightforward recipe for 'Gelato di Panna' in Marcella's book. Upon looking at the simple list of ingredients I found myself wanting to add a vanilla bean, or some Marsala or maybe even an orange or lemon peel as it seemed like it 'needed' something more. Then I read Marcella's note where she states that:
'A look at this list of ingredients for gelato di panna may give you an idea of its flavour. No gelato I have ever had has a taste so pure, nor so true a claim to the name ice cream'.
That settled it for me. I was going to exercise extreme restraint and fight the urge to add anything to the cream, milk and sugar. The end result was nothing short of spectacular and indeed it was the most pure tasting ice cream I have ever had the good fortune of tasting.
I served the Gelato di Panna with some fresh strawberries that I had splashed with just a hint of rosewater, as I thought that Marcella would not have an issue with me fiddling around with the berries.

Gelato di Panna - Cream Ice Cream
True to my word, I have not changed a thing here and I urge you to do the same. The only difference is that I have doubled the quantities, as I knew that we would all want seconds.
Adapted from Marcella's Italian Kitchen 1986
Ingredients
2 cups of full fat organic milk
2 cups of organic cream, heavy
8 tablespoons of granulated sugar

Method
1. Put the milk, cream and sugar in a saucepan and over a medium heat slowly bring to the boil. Cook for about 10 minutes and stir frequently.
2. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool completely. Place in an ice cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.


Lovely! I have so many things i'm dying to make including the last chocolate ice cream you posted, the macs for macattack and with the conference... I can't wait till december rolls around, to make these!
YUM! Even though the weather is getting cold outside, your blog makes me want to make this gelato. It looks and sounds wonderful. The photos are beautiful, and I know my suocera would be pleased that you exercised restraint on your first time making this recipe.
Mmmm. I'm with your son. My favorite flavor is "plain" ice cream. :)
Look, stop putting ice cream recipes on your blog! Mrs Darcy's expectations are growing too high.
It gets like that sometimes, there's just not enough hours in the day, and days in the week to make everything we want to eat!
Lael I'm so glad your suocera's book's finally arrived in the mail! I'm having such a great time working through all her wonderful gelato recipes! Please pass on my regards when you speak to her next.
Now, now Mr Darcy these recipes are simple enough even for you to manage!
It looks like gelato in it's purest form. I'm definitely going to have to give this one a try.
That's how gelato should be - pure, whole ingredients with nothing nasty or harmful added to it, especially if you're going to give it to children!
I really need to buy an ice cream machine. I love your photo of the splattered cream. I can see that hanging in my kitchen.
Having been missing these gelato posts. I am putting the ice cream making in the freezer as I type!
Allison ask your gorgeous man to get you an ice cream machine for Christmas!