A Taste of Italy: Gelato (frozen)

Most say that Bernardo Buontalenti, a native of Florance, invented gelato during the 16th century. He served this sweet creation to many nobles, the most famous was Queen of France Catherine De Medici. Later in 1686, Sicilian born Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli was the first to open a gelato cafe in Paris that quickly became very popular in Europe. Today, many Italians pass down their own style of making gelato from father to son. Gelato is a healthy alternative to regular icecream, because it uses all natural ingredients and less air that gives it an intense flavor. Gelato uses the same ingredients as icecream: milk, sugar, air, and flavorings. There are 2 types of gelato in Italy: milk-based gelato made in northern Italy and fruit-water based gelato made in southern Italy. Most flavors are chocolate, lemon, strawberry, custard, panna cotta, and banana. It's a refreshing dessert after a light meal. Here is a recipe to make chocolate gelato:

Ingredients
2 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup minus 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 large egg yolks

Coarsely chop chocolate. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan bring milk, cream, and about half of sugar just to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add cocoa powder and chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.

Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat yolks and remaining sugar until thick and pale. Add hot chocolate mixture in a slow stream, whisking, and pour into saucepan. Cook custard over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until a thermometer registers 170°F. (Do not let boil.) Pour custard through a sieve into a metal bowl set in ice and cold water and cool. Chill custard, covered, until cold.

Freeze custard in an ice-cream maker. Transfer to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden, 1 to 3 hours. Enjoy!!!!

sources: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chocolate-Gelato-101903 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelato