Make This!!

Bastani akbar mashti!

Looking for an exotic tasting ice cream? Try bastani akbar mashti! Persian rose water/pistachio/saffron ice cream. This is a great dessert & so different from the usual vanilla, chocolate fudge brownie or coffee flavored ice cream Americans are used to.  You can purchase it at any Middle Eastern grocery store for about $8 or you can make it yourself - it's so easy.
Here's what you'll need:
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream (I used President's Choice (Fred Meyer) Double Vanilla)
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp ground saffron
2 Tbs (1/8 cup) rose water
1/3 cup slivered pistachios

Have all your ingredients ready to go. Place the ice cream in a large mixing bowl. Let it soften for about 15-20 minutes in the fridge. DO NOT let the ice cream become too liquid or too soft!!

Rose water & saffron - you can purchase these at any grocery store.
Fun fact: try substituting 1 tsp of rose water instead of vanilla in
your sugar cookie dough. ☺

Add the whipping cream, rose water & saffron to the ice cream. Mix well.

Add the pistachios.

Pour into small bowls or containers & immediately place in the freezer. Done!

*Bastani akbar mashti usually has chunks of frozen cream in the mix. To do this, freeze the whipping cream in a small saucer (covered!!). Slice the cream into small squares & mix in to the ice cream just before placing it in the freezer. I froze the cream, but left it uncovered. Unfortunately, my cream took on a freezer-burn taste & I had to toss it. :(