Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors

Bavishi, founder of Brooklyn’s Malai ice cream company, dishes up indulgent frozen confections inspired by her Indian heritage in this inventive recipe collection. The desserts on offer feature warm, aromatic spices for an innovative mix of sweet and savory. Sweet milk ice cream base is “the key to a really great ice cream,” according to Bavishi, and the foundation for flavors such as rich coffee cardamom, zingy ginger root, and nutty rose with cinnamon roasted almonds, Malai’s most popular offering. Fruit-forward takes include zesty orange and fennel, guava with kashmiri chili for some heat, and “melt-in-your-mouth” apricot sherbet. All recipes are eggless, and vegan options abound, with dairy-free treats including a floral hibiscus chaat masala sorbet and coconut-milk-based options such as coconut date garam masala. Ice creams are also incorporated into recipes for pops, cakes, and sundaes, including the standout crunchy ice cream balls, which are rolled in cookie crumbs and covered with chocolate cardamom sauce. Home cooks will need to invest in a quality ice cream maker, a blender, and a host of spices to access this tempting tapestry of tastes. Anyone with a sweet tooth will savor this sophisticated treat. (Apr.)