The Pistachio Gelato Of Your Dreams

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Hi Bold Bakers!

What is Pistachio Gelato?

Pistachio gelato is a creamy, Italian-style frozen dessert known for its rich, nutty flavor and smooth texture. Made with REAL pistachios, it stands out among gelato flavors for its unique taste and luxurious feel.

• Authentic Ingredients: Made with real pistachios, ground into a paste for an intense, natural flavor.
• Smooth and Creamy Texture: Achieved through a slow churning process that incorporates less air than traditional ice cream.
• Delightful Nutty Flavor: The distinctive taste of pistachios makes this gelato a favorite among nut lovers and frozen dessert enthusiasts alike.

Tools You Need

• Measuring cups and measuring spoons
• Mixing bowls
• Food processor
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Ladle
• Fine mesh sieve
• Ice Cream Maker
• Airtight container

Key Ingredients for Pistachio Gelato

• Roasted salted pistachio

  • Provides the primary flavor and a rich, nutty depth.
  • Roasting enhances the natural pistachio taste, making it more robust and aromatic.

• Powdered sugar

  • Sweetens the gelato while dissolving easily to maintain a smooth texture.
  • Its fine consistency helps prevent graininess in the final product.

• Extra virgin olive oil

  • Extra virgin olive oil adds a subtle, unique richness and smooth mouthfeel.
  • It can also help to emulsify the mixture, ensuring a creamy consistency.

• Whole milk

  • Whole milk forms the base of the gelato, contributing to its creamy texture and rich flavor. The fat content in whole milk helps achieve a smooth consistency.

• Heavy whipping cream

  • Heavy whipping cream adds creaminess and richness, enhancing the texture and body of the gelato.
  • The high-fat content also contributes to a luxurious mouthfeel and helps prevent ice crystals.

• Egg yolks

  • Emulsification: Egg yolk acts as an emulsifier, blending fat and water to create a smooth mixture.
  • Texture: It contributes to the creamy, velvety texture by preventing the formation of ice crystals.
  • Richness: The yolk adds a subtle richness that enhances the nutty flavor of pistachios.
  • Stability: It helps stabilize the gelato mixture, ensuring a consistent and pleasant mouthfeel.
  • If you prefer a LIGHTER texture, use whole eggs instead of egg yolks because egg whites contain more moisture and can add more air to the gelato.

• Sugar

  • Sweetening: It provides the desired level of sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor of the gelato.
  • Texture: Sugar helps lower the freezing point of the mixture, which prevents it from becoming too hard and contributes to a smooth, scoopable texture.
  • Stabilization: It aids in the stabilization of the gelato by helping to prevent the formation of large ice crystals.
  • Preservation: It acts as a natural preservative, extending the shelf life of the gelato by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

How To Make Pistachio Gelato

Make the pistachio paste:

1. Blend the pistachios in a food processor until smooth and a little oily, about 4 minutes.
2. Add the powdered sugar and process until combined.
3. While the processor is still running, drizzle in the olive oil until blended, and then set the pistachio paste aside while you make the gelato base.

Make the gelato base

4. Warm the milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.
5. Whisk the eggs and the sugar together in a medium mixing bowl.
6. When the milk mixture is simmering, pour one ladleful at a time into the eggs, whisking constantly.
7. Return the milk mixture to the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring constantly, about 3-4 minutes. Note this mixture will not thicken that much, just slightly.
8. Immediately pour the mixture through a sieve into the bowl and discard any solids.
9. Whisk the pistachio paste into the warm custard until you get the nut flavor you like.

Churn the gelato

10. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions for your ice cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours until thoroughly chilled before serving.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Pistachio Gelato

• Be sure to measure the pistachios after they are shelled to get the correct amount.
• If you want your gelato to be greener, blanch the pistachios and then remove the brown skins. Place the shelled pistachios in a bowl with cold water and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 3-4 minutes. Finally, rinse with cold water. You can then peel by hand or place the pistachios on a clean kitchen towel and rub the skins off.
• Always temper the yolks by adding the hot milk slowly to the yolks instead of pouring the yolks directly into the hot milk to prevent curdling.
• If you prefer a LIGHTER texture, use whole eggs instead of egg yolks because egg whites contain more moisture and can add more air to the gelato.
• If you happen to have premade pistachio paste, use this: combine 1 1/3 cups (10½oz/295g) pistachio paste with the heavy whipping cream in a bowl and proceed with the directions starting at Step 4.
• Serve with Homemade Ice Cream Cones!

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

You can make the gelato and freeze it in an airtight container for at least 4 hours and up to 4 weeks.

How is pistachio gelato different from pistachio ice cream?

• Pistachio gelato has a denser texture, a lower fat content, and more milk than ice cream.
• Gelato is also churned more slowly, incorporating less air, which gives it a smoother consistency. Our Pistachio Ice Cream is NO-CHURN, but it’s made by whipping up heavy cream with sweetened condensed milk, which retains air and yields a lighter texture than gelato.

FAQs

• Can I make pistachio gelato without an ice cream maker?

  • Yes, although an ice cream maker produces the best results, you can make pistachio gelato without one by using a freezer-safe container or a loaf pan, and manually stirring every 30 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.

• How do you roast pistachios for gelato?

  • Spread shelled pistachios on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden. Let them cool before using.
  • Just a note for this recipe we suggest roasted, salted pistachios for the best flavor and ease.

• Can I make pistachio gelato vegan?

  • Yes, you can make vegan pistachio gelato using non-dairy milk (like  coconut milk, almond milk) and coconut cream instead of dairy milk and heavy cream. Use a vegan sweetener such as agave syrup or maple syrup.

• Can I add other flavors to pistachio gelato?

  • Yes, you can add complementary flavors such as almond extract, vanilla extract, or even a touch of cardamom for a unique twist.

Make Gelato and Ice Cream Recipes!

• Homemade Ice Cream with Only 2 Ingredients
• Strawberry Gelato
• 3 Ingredient Ube Ice Cream
• Ice Cream in a Jar
• Cornstarch Ice-cream (Silician Eggless Gelato)
• Rosewater Gelato
• Butter Pecan Gelato

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 7/11/2024, to include a NEW STEP-BY-STEP tutorial video, explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and Pro Chef Tips. 

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