Creamy and rich vegan ice cream, with ginger-infused coconut milk, toasted coconut, and more fresh ginger. Ice cream maker helpful but not required.
Ingredients
2cansfull-fat coconut milk - (13-15 oz each; any brand you like)
½cupagave nectar or sugar
¼tspsea salt
2Tbsp corn starch
2 ½ inch piecefresh ginger root, peeled and minced
2tspvanilla extract
2tspdark rum
⅔cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
crystallized ginger, chopped, optional
Instructions
If using an ice cream maker, put canister in freezer at least 24 hours in advance to ensure it is fully frozen. Also, locate a freezer-safe container, such as a loaf pan.
Shake the cans of coconut milk before opening. In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup coconut milk and the corn starch. Set aside.
In a sauce pan over medium-low heat, add the remaining coconut milk, sweetener, salt, and approximately ¾ of the minced ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very warm but not simmering, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Raise heat to medium and whisk in the corn starch slurry. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Don't let it come to a boil. When it coats and clings to your spoon you'll know it's ready. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and rum.
Over a large bowl, pour the mixture through a strainer to remove the ginger. Discard the cooked ginger. Stir the remaining finely minced fresh ginger into the ice cream mixture. Let sit at room temp 30-45 minutes. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.
Before churning the ice cream, toast the coconut. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the coconut and stir frequently, cooking until light brown. Watch it carefully! Coconut burns very quickly. Move the coconut to a bowl or plate to cool.
Churn the ice cream following manufacturer's instructions for your machine. My Cuisinart takes about 15 minutes to achieve soft-serve consistency. During the last minute of churning add the toasted coconut. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container.*If not using an ice cream maker, stir in the toasted coconut and pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container. Whisk the mixture, to incorporate air and break down ice crystals, 2 or 3 times during the first couple of hours of freezing.
Freeze the ice cream 4 to 6 hours or overnight, depending on desired consistency.