Thomas Jefferson’s Ice Cream
This source of this recipe can be found from the Thomas Jefferson Foundation here.
Beneath Jefferson’s original recipe is a modern version by Marie Kimball, who wrote Thomas Jefferson’s Cook Book.
Jefferson’s Recipe
2. bottles of good cream.
6. yolks of eggs.
1/2 lb. sugar
mix the yolks & sugar
put the cream on a fire in a casserole, first putting in a stick of Vanilla.
when near boiling take it off & pour it gently into the mixture of eggs & sugar.
stir it well.
put it on the fire again stirring it thoroughly with a spoon to prevent it's sticking to the casserole.
when near boiling take it off and strain it thro' a towel.
put it in the Sabottiere
then set it in ice an hour before it is to be served. put into the ice a handful of salt.
put salt on the coverlid of the Sabotiere & cover the whole with ice. leave it still half a quarter of an hour.
then turn the Sabottiere in the ice 10 minutes
open it to loosen with a spatula the ice from the inner sides of the Sabotiere.
shut it & replace it in the ice
open it from time to time to detach the ice from the sides
when well taken (prise) stir it well with the Spatula.
put it in moulds, justling it well down on the knee.
then put the mould into the same bucket of ice.
leave it there to the moment of serving it.
to withdraw it, immerse the mould in warm water, turning it well till it will come out & turn it into a plate.
Modern Recipe (from Marie Kimball)
Beat the yolks of 6 eggs until thick and lemon colored.
Add, gradually, 1 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt.
Bring to a boil 1 quart of cream and pour slowly on the egg mixture.
Put in top of double boiler and when it thickens, remove and strain through a fine sieve into a bowl.
When cool add 2 teaspoonfuls of vanilla.
Freeze, as usual, with one part of salt to three parts of ice.
Place in a mould, pack in ice and salt for several hours.
For electric refrigerators, follow usual direction, but stir frequently.