As I typed “next level” I cringed a little. It’s a phrase that’s turning into a cliche, isn’t it? Oh well, I’m not above anything so I think I’ll use it here.
What are you looking at is some premium vanilla ice cream and a Milano cookie (chosen by my son Nico. I think would have done the Bordeaux cookies instead.) The twist is I followed the lead of the pastry chef at Meadwood Resort here in Napa Valley and made a sauce of about 1 part piloncillo and 2 parts plantain vinegar. It sounds weird but think of balsamic vinegar on strawberries. It’s odd but it works.
Of course, our piloncillo is made using no sulpher and comes in a more than handy granular form. We distribute the plantain vinegar from Veracruz and it’s become a kitchen staple for a lot of you. I think adding dessert to the list makes it essential.
You might consider getting some good Mexican Vanilla Beans and making your own Vanilla Ice Cream. (Or Tahitian, or Madagascar.) While your sauce might be great, store bought ice cream is not so great. We haven’t bought store bought in 6 months or so. David Leibovitz is a great resource http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2009/02/vanilla-ice-cream/ although you might use two beans and skip the extract.
Another thought is to make some red bean ice cream. Very popular in Asian restaurants, it might be even better made with heirloom beans!
-Mike
Actually in the bay area, we have access to some incredible ice creams! But it is fun to make it yourself. If you go back through the archives, you’ll find us making prickly pear sorbet based on David’s master recipe.
Our vanilla (which is a Mexican orchid!) is sourced in Papantla by Patricia Rain. It’s an incredible product.
Hello – I tried to post this comment earlier in the week but I guess I screwed it up somehow …
Anyway, I bought some banana vinegar from you a week or two ago … I haven’t yet tried the syrup on vanilla ice cream but I did use it on blueberry pancakes this past weekend and it was delicious!
Thanks for the vinegar and the inspiration!
Best,
Adam
Made waffles this morning and the little chef requested whipped cream…..I thought of your banana vinegar concoction and whipped some cream with piloncillo sugar and a couple splashes of the vinegar and WOW!!!!
Wondering when the plantain vinegar will be available again apparently you created just a little too much buzz for your inventory ?