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Ice creams are one of the most loved desserts by people of all ages across the globe. Different people have innumerable distinct memories attached to ice cream. Be it waiting for an ice cream truck on a summer afternoon as a child, making ice cream at home for your loved ones, or reminiscing all the memories attached to a flavour whenever you taste it after ages.
Celebrating the summer season without ice creams seems like an impossible task. Owing to the shared love for dessert, Slurrp conducted an exclusive interview with chefs Chefs Surabhi Sehgal and Ramachandra Ganeshan to learn about their fondest memories. As a bonus for you, the chefs have also shared some tips and tricks on how to store ice cream to retain its freshness.
Chef Surabhi Sehgal
Surabhi Sehgal is a culinary artist known for creating visually stunning dishes that resemble works of art. The chef says that she combines her passion for food and painting to produce creative culinary creations, as she often incorporates elements of colour, texture, and presentation to elevate her dishes to an artistic level.
The Fondest Ice Cream Memories
About ice creams, Surabhi Sehgal shares, “My most vivid and fond ice cream memory from my childhood is from my grandmother's home. During summer vacation, when we visited my grandparent's home, my cousins and I would eagerly wait for the ice cream man. Each afternoon, like clockwork, the familiar sound of the ice cream cart's bells echoed through the neighbourhood, signalling his approach. His cart, decorated with tempting pictures of frozen delights, was a treasure trove of summertime happiness.”
“But our favourite was the orange ice cream filled with vanilla cream inside. Its bright colour, creamy centre and tangy taste were irresistible. On hot summer days, we used to lick the creamy goodness and feel refreshed, happy and carefree. The memories of those summer afternoons spent with my cousins devouring those orange ice creams would stay with me forever. As of now, every summer, my two boys and I have a time-honoured ritual of making mango ice cream or fro-yo the moment fresh, juicy mangos hit the market. ” Surabhi Sehgal further says.
Surabhi Sehgal Shares How She And Her Sons Make Ice Cream At Home
“Our recipe is simple —ripe mangoes, greek yoghurt, honey and some fresh mint. Peeling and dicing the mangoes is a team effort, with sticky fingers and playful banter making the task fun. We blend the mangoes until they're smooth and creamy, mix the other ingredients by hand, and leave it to churn in the ice cream machine.
Finally, when it’s time to taste, we dig into the creamy goodness, savouring each spoonful and relishing in the sweetness of summer. But more than just a delicious treat, making mango ice cream together is about creating memories. It’s about spending quality time as a family, laughing, bonding, and making the most of the season.”
Tips To Store Ice Cream
It's essential to store ice cream properly to maintain its freshness and texture. Here are some recommendations:
1. Freezer Temperature: Set your freezer to around -18°C (-0.4°F) or slightly colder. This temperature ensures the ice cream stays frozen without forming ice crystals too quickly.
2. Airtight Container: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and absorption of odours from other foods.
3. Use A Protective Layer: If storing homemade ice cream, place a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing the container. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming on the surface.
4. Thawing: When you're ready to enjoy the ice cream, transfer it to the refrigerator for a few minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
Chef Ramachandra Ganeshan
Ramachandra Ganeshan is the executive sous chef at ITC Maurya. He has 24 years of experience in pastry and bakery. He says, “My passion for confectionery led me to work with top hotels across India and even overseas.”
The Chef’s Favourite Summer Memories
Chef Ramachandra Ganeshan shares, “ Even though my favourite dessert was apple cake, I have a lot of memories when it comes to ice cream. When I was a kid, I loved ice cream, and my go-to place was this famous ice cream parlour at MG Road in Bangalore.
“Talking about my favourites, I used to love sundaes. The funny reason why I loved sundaes so much was not just the assorted flavours; it was also that I got different types of sauce, dry fruits, and nuts as complements. Another one of my favourite stories related to ice cream dates back to my school days. During summer vacation, I used to visit my grandmother’s house and I still remember the distinct taste of frozen milk ice cream that my grandma used to make. It was so delicious that all us kids used to love and relish it.” the chef further shares.
The Best Way To Store Ice Cream
The best way to store ice cream is to ensure that the freezer is set at 20 degrees Celcius and you’re keeping the ice cream in an air-tight container. You should also note that the temperature doesn’t fluctuate as the fluctuation will lead to a reduction in the volume of ice cream and the formation of ice crystals in between the container.
So, you should ensure that you’re placing the ice cream container a little further from the door of the freezer, which you might open frequently and could hamper the quality of the ice cream. Also, if you're storing homemade ice cream, keep a close eye on the temperature, as it is not advisable to store the ice cream below -10 degrees Celcius.
