Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream

Ok.. I have to admit. I've fallen into a bit of a Japanese flavor ice cream phase. I'm trying so hard to not just go and make a green tea ice cream. I've been saving that can of macha (green tea powder) for last, making everything else I can think of before I go and open that can. For now, I've ticked off Black Sesame and Azuki (red bean)... I'm thinking one more before I go for the green tea. I'm not too keen on Wasabi ice cream. Lychee ice cream maybe ? Toro ice cream is another common flavor - but I'm not sure where to get Toro in Australia. I wonder what sweet potato ice cream would taste like ? :)

Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 100g sweetened red bean paste
• 300ml heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons Vodka

Method

1. Heat the milk in a heavy saucepan with the sugar and salt. Turn off the heat once the sugar has dissolved.
2. Beat the egg yokes together. Add a bit of the warmed milk into the egg yoke mixture.
3. While stirring the contents of the saucepan, slowly pour the milk egg mixture into saucepan. Put the saucepan back on a very low heat and stir constantly until it starts to thicken. You want to turn this mixture into a custard
4. Take the mixture off the heat and whisk in the red bean paste really well. You can strain the whole mixture at this point to remove the lumps. But I prefer to keep the red beans in the ice cream for more texture.
5. Let it cool for a few minutes and then stir in the cream. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Churn the ice cream according to your ice cream maker's instructions.