Springtime means rhubarb! When those little tender ruby stalks force themselves out of the cold winter earth you know the weather has finally turned and Spring has arrived. I’ve always had rhubarb in my garden. Nearly every house I’ve lived in has had a rhubarb patch and I’ve always lovely the tart flavour. As a child I would break stalks off and nibble them away while playing outdoors. These days I prefer to add a little sugar.
My new favourite pudding these days seems to be ice cream. Ice cream with a digestive biscuit or oat biscuit crumbled over the top is even better, wouldn’t you agree? I love the whole cold creamy ice cream and crumbly biscuit combination with regards to both texture and flavour, so, when Vanesther over at Bangers & Mash shared this month’s Recipes for Life Challenge ingredients: rhubarb, lemon and spice, I got thinking my thinking cap on.
The Recipes for Life challenge was started by Vanesther in February of this year to help gather recipe ideas for the Swallow organization: a charity based in Somerset supporting adults with learning difficulties. As part of their Fit for Life programme they run cookery courses, teaching people how to make simple, inexpensive and nutritious meals. They will be publishing a cookery book later on in the year and selected recipes from the Recipes for Life challenge will be included. Each month the challenge focuses on three main readily available ingredients.
So, after some pondering about how I could combine the ingredients rhubarb, lemon and spice into an ice cream with a biscuit topping I came up with the following recipe. The hazelnut cluster recipe is adapted from a recipe for walnut granola clusters by The Roasted Root. Don’t be daunted by the list of ingredients – there really is very little work involved. The hazelnut crunch involves plonking the dry ingredients into a food processor, stirring in the wet ingredients and then baking for twenty minutes. The ice cream is as simple as whisking the ingredients together and freezing. If you don’t have an ice cream maker you can do it the old fashioned way by pouring the cream mixture into a freezer-proof container and stirring every 20 minutes or so. The rhubarb compote is quick to make and can be left to cool while you get on with the rest of the recipe components.
You could also save a little time by just serving the rhubarb compote spooned over the top of the ice cream. Alternatively (and I speak from experience here!) this rhubarb compote stirred into some natural yogurt and topped with hazelnut clusters makes a wicked awesome breakfast.
The whole family loved this dessert. The younger children kept sneaking into the kitchen and stealing the hazelnut clusters off the baking tray as they were cooling. Yes, it’s a very nice recipe indeed and perfect for folk, like me, who like a bit of crunch with their ice cream.
- 400 grams rhubarb, washed and cut into 1 inch lengths
- 50 grams caster sugar
- juice of 1 small orange
- 1 large egg
- 80 grams caster sugar
- 250 ml double cream
- 125 ml full fat milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon
- 100 grams jumbo oats
- 45 grams flaked coconut
- 75 grams dark soft brown sugar
- fat pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 200 grams hazelnuts
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 egg white
Prep time: Cook time: Total time: Yield: Serves 4-6
I have entered this made from scratch recipe into Javelin Warrior’s Made with Love Mondays recipe round-up.
A Picnic at Kergord
This looks so good.
I like to make my own ice cream, and I don’t have an ice cream maker. I gave up making ripple ice creams, because the ripple bit just forms large crystals, and detracts from the ice cream. Do you think it is because I’m using a coulis, with more water, or because I’m adding too much?
Mine did the same, by the next day. Usually ice cream doesn’t last long enough in our house! One of the problems of using a smaller size ice cream maker is that it only makes enough to feed a family of five one dessert, with no leftovers! I wonder what could be done to keep the ripples soft when keeping the ice cream for longer.
Thanks. Well, I guess eating more is a good trick 🙂
As a granola addict and a lover of rhubarb, I whole heartedly approve!
Thank you 😀
I’ve finally got around to making something with rhubarb & realised that you beat me to it with the rhubarb ripple ice cream…dammit! Your pics are great though…I so want to try your clusters!
Yours looks and sounds absolutely fantastic, and I love the little spice cookies you serve with it. See, great minds think alike: cookies & ice cream are a marriage made in heaven!
Drool inducing dessert….do you have any left? Pass some my way please!
Hee hee! I’m afraid I scoffed the last of it in the evening after a 7 mile run! I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. 🙂
How lovely! Raspberry ripple ice cream is one of my favourite flavours and I love rhubarb too, so this sounds like a treat to me! I’ve never made my own ice cream but I really should give it a whirl. Those oat clusters look like they give great texture too 🙂
Oh you must try making your own ice cream as it’s so simple to do and it tastes fantastic! 🙂
Just beautiful! I’ve only made homemade ice cream a few times myself, and this has prompted me to give it another go! Beautiful recipe, great alternative suggestions and stunning photography!
Thank you, and I’m so pleased this post has spurred you to make your own ice cream again! Homemade ice cream is so lovely. Thank you for your kind comments 🙂
This looks sensational and I love your photography. A wonderful entry for May’s Recipes for Life – thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, I really appreciate the positive feedback 🙂 Thanks for challenging us to use these ingredients!
This ice cream sounds amazing, Elizabeth! I love rhubarb (adore it, actually) and what a lovely way to combine the flavors and textures of ice cream, rhubarb and a crumble!
Thanks Mark 🙂 I’m a rhubarb fan too. I’m glad you like the recipe 😀