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They say that nothing is new under the sun. And I suppose oregano ice cream has been done by someone somewhere, but at least to my knowledge this recipe exists nowhere else. With good reason, you say? Feh. Walk with me.
If you have ever smelled Greek oregano in springtime, on those first warm days after the winter, then you might understand where I came up with the crazy idea to mix cream, milk, sugar and eggs with what is usually an herb tossed into tomato sauce or slathered on a leg of lamb.
Oregano views the world differently in springtime. It’s softer, kinder, more floral. Think of the young boy who talks to squirrels and brings his mum flowers; this is oregano in spring.
But when the weather warms, that boy learns that it is unmanly to talk to squirrels, and especially so to bring mum flowers. He hardens, becomes unyieldingly resinous and loses his love for cream and sugar; he looks now only to meat for friendship.
Oregano ice cream cannot be made once the weather reaches 80 degrees for any length of time. The boy has become a man.
But it’s still cool here in Northern California, and with our 3rd Annual Big Fat Greek Party coming up, I wanted to do this dish, which is to my mind a quintessentially Greek dessert.
I make a full-cream, custard-style ice cream, with many egg yolks but not too much sugar; I hate overly sweet desserts. I do, however, add one final sweet touch: That’s not chocolate sauce you see drizzled over the ice cream, it’s black mountain honey from Greece.
This whole dish plays with your expectations. You look at it prepared to eat a very respectable vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and a sprig of mint. What you get is something very different, but very special.
Great recipe, thanks for sshare. I am tryin it weekend. I like ice cream and oregano 🙂
You don’t know what I’d give to be there – or anywhere that was green and didn’t have snow…have a great party!
Ahhh, memories of Hank when he was still called Henry, and indeed, was a sweet boy bringing not only Mum, but his sisters flowers, but I digress.
Jealous. Need ice cream. Now. Please.
I am neither fat nor Greek, but I have a feeling I’ll be expanding some horizons this weekend!
Think I’d better pack the Lactaid.
I’m always torn between my desire to make unusual, even savory ice creams and the pavlovian effect the sound of the ice cream machine has on my son. (Trying to explain savory avocado ice cream to him is not rewarding, but MAN is it good with ceviche.)
100,000 thank-yous for your kind words!
Finspot, pear-pecorino ice cream sounds equally odd-but-good – definitely an adult ‘scream.
Laurie, you will need to get on an Alaska Airlines plane to Sacramento right away! Our Big Fat Greek Party is tomorrow…
🙂
I really really really want to eat this as soon as I possibly can.
I’ll have to try that, I have tons of oregano.. it sounds wonderful
Feh is right! Our babysitter just hooked us up with a tub of pear-pecorino ‘scream. A little Mediterranean brain freeze in the depths of an ether binge…uh…I mean during a blah Seattle spring day is always a good thing.
Fantastic! I see i’m not the only one to have roamed the Greek countryside extensively in the Springtime! Well done!!
Oh my. I never thought I would ever crave an ice cream flavor other than mint chocolate chip. And that honey? Amazing.
Out and out brilliant. I’ve always wanted to try a tarragon ice cream, but I don’t have an ice cream maker. You’ve inspired me to pick one up with my next paycheck.