Gulkand Ice Cream

Gulkand Ice Cream - Vanilla ice cream with rose petals and sugar syrup!! Exotic huh? Absolutely! Gulkand is something Indians love, especially in the hot summers as its known to have a cooling effect on the body. This ice cream is a specialty of Pune/Maharashtra. I remember savoring this especially late in the nights when you have had a great dinner and want something that is sweet but also light and refreshing. And thanks to these small , humble ice cream parlors that were open till late and served unusual flavors like this! This is so simple and quick to make and the end results are just mind blowing. Impress your guests by making this and let me know how you like it!

Ingredients:

- Vanilla ice cream - 500 gm (plain,lightly flavored)

- Edible rose water - 1 cup

- Gulkand - 1/2 cup or as much as desired and some for garnish

- Cashew nuts, chopped - 1/2 cup (optional)

- Tutti Frutti (candied cherries)- for garnish

- Red Food color - few drops to get the pink color.

Method:

- Allow the ice cream to melt completely (You can set it on the counter and it will take 2-3 hours)

- Mix the rose water and gulkand, making sure the lumps in the gulkand are gone.

- Pour the melted ice cream in a huge mixing bowl and add the rose water and gulkand mix along with the cashews

- Mix well, add the food color to get a rosy pink color and put the mixture in a freezing box (any freezer safe box with a lid)

- Freeze the mixture for 2-3 hours.

- Now take the partially frozen mixture out and stir it thoroughly to get all the gulkand and cashew that is settled at the bottom; to spread evenly.

- Once the mixture is distributed evenly, set the ice cream back in the freezer till completely frozen.

- Garnish with gulkand and tutti-frutti. Enjoy chilled!

Tips:

- Place a plastic cling wrap on the box before putting the lid on it and keeping it in the freezer. This will help the ice cream to remain creamy and not form crystals

- Add your favorite nuts like almonds etc instead of cashews.

- You can add a lot of tutti frutti in the mix itself if your kids like it.

- Add elaichi (cardamom) powder if you like the flavor.

Healthy Twist:

- Use the light variety of vanilla ice cream that is low fat and low sugar.