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[Photograph: Max Falkowitz]

Nutty white sesame gets a flavor boost from orange and vanilla, with chunks of pistachios for crunch. You can find pomegranate molasses in Middle Eastern groceries, likely near the rose or orange blossom water. It's an optional topping for this ice cream, though highly recommended.

About the author: Max Falkowitz is the editor of Serious Eats: New York. You can follow him on Twitter at @maxfalkowitz.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup freshly toasted white sesame seeds
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups cream
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) freshly toasted pistachios, chilled in freezer
  •  
  • For Serving:
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses

Procedures

  1. Grind freshly toasted sesame seeds in blender on medium speed for 10 seconds, until they are mostly pulverized. Pour in about 1/2 cup milk and blend for another 10 seconds until a fine paste forms. Add remaining milk and cream and blend on high for 30 seconds, until well combined.

  2. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until pale in color and lightly thickened. Pour in dairy, whisk to combine, and cook on medium heat, whisking frequently, until a custard forms on the back of a spoon and a swiped finger leaves a clean line. Strain custard into an airtight container, pressing on sesame solids to extract all liquid.

  3. Stir in orange zest and vanilla extract, then salt to taste. Chill at least 6 hours or overnight in refrigerator, then churn the next day according to manufacturer's instructions. In the last minute of churning, add pistachios.

  4. Transfer churned ice cream to airtight container and chill in freezer for at least 4 hours before serving. To serve, top each bowl with 1 to 2 teaspoons of pomegranate molasses.