How to Make Pistachio Gelato? Homemade Recipe

Is there anything better than ice cream to cool you off on a warm day and satisfy your sweet tooth? We can’t think of anything better. And what’s even better is pistachio gelato. If you ever wondered is it easy and how to make gelato, today is your lucky day. This blog is for everyone who loves pistachio ice cream.

We will guide you on how to make a perfect homemade gelato, and our homemade pistachio gelato recipe will become your family’s favorite. You’ll even learn how to prepare the pistachio paste because the one we have for you is one of the recipes with pistachio paste that’s homemade. 

The Difference Between Ice Cream and Gelato  

Many don’t know the difference between ice cream and gelato, but they are not the same thing. Gelato originated in Italy, and it’s one of the world’s best and tastiest frozen desserts.   

The main difference between them is in the ingredients. The truth is the elements are similar but with a significant difference. In the process of making gelato, more milk and less cream are used. Also, egg yolks are mainly not an ingredient in traditional gelato recipes. Gelato also has less butterfat, and air resulting in a more fluid and dense texture.   

This difference in the ingredients results in silky and smooth gelato that’s creamier than typical ice cream.   

And another essential difference is the temperature at which you serve the gelato. It should never be freezing, and it shouldn’t numb your tongue and mouth. It’s served at 10-15 degrees, which gives you a chance to enjoy the flavors.   

How to Make Gelato Perfectly 

We’ll show you how to make gelato, and you’ll be able to execute this recipe in no time. And because we are using a Sicilian pistachio gelato, we’ll talk about the Sicilian-style base.  

Later on, we’ll share the best one we have with you, but for now, let’s focus on some tricks that will assist you in making the tastiest cold dessert.  

First of all, you have to have an ice cream maker, because without it you won’t be able to prepare gelato.  

The gelato base must be silky smooth for the final product to be creamy. When making the base, you’ll want to strain it before pouring it into your ice cream maker. You’ll also want to follow the instructions on your ice cream maker and churn the gelato according to them.  

You’ll know when to stop the machine once the gelato is thick but easily scooped. After that, you’ll want to place your gelato in the freezer to firm up for two hours.  

When you desire to serve it, first take it out, and let it come to room temperature before serving it.  

Don’t be sad if you can’t drink milk because you can make gelato with a traditional gelato recipe, even with plant-based milk. 

Now you can see that’s it’s nothing too complicated, and soon you’ll know how to make gelato. 

Pistachio Gelato Recipe: The Breakdown 

It’s finally the time to answer the questions on how to make pistachio gelato. It isn’t complicated too much, but you need to master some tips and tricks, and you’ll be good to go. And once you master this Sicilian pistachio gelato, you’ll never reach out for pistachio ice cream. 

But before you ask yourself how to make pistachio gelato, you need to ask yourself how to make pistachio paste. This type of recipe uses pistachio paste, but the best ones are those that use homemade paste. Of course, if you don’t want to get bothered with making your pistachio paste, you can always use a store-bought. But remember, recipes with homemade pistachio paste are superior. They give a unique touch to the recipe and make it the authentic Sicilian pistachio recipe.  

The perfect paste is the first ingredient to make the best pistachio gelato. The second one that will make it an authentic Sicilian pistachio recipe is the cornstarch base. Yes, that type of base will enrich the gelato, and it’s something that’s used in Italian gelato recipes.

Now, when someone asks you how to make gelato, you’ll know the correct answer. 

Pistachio Paste Recipe 

You’ll need a high-powered food processor, pistachio nuts, sugar, and whole milk for this pistachio gelato recipe. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less; simple ingredients.  

Ingredients 

• 1 ½ unsalted pistachio nuts 
• 2/3 cup of granulated sugar 
• ½ cup of whole milk 

Preparation 

• It would be best to soak your pistachios for a few hours. After they are done soaking, you’ll want to peel off the skin.  
• Blanch the peeled pistachios in boiling water for one to two minutes.  
• Put them in the food processor, and add the sugar. Pulse until everything is finely ground. If it’s needed, scrape down the sides of the bowl.  
• Add the whole milk, and continue pulsing until you get a creamy texture.

Pistachio Gelato Recipe 

And now, for the fun part, how to make pistachio gelato. Now that you have your pistachio paste, half of the work is done, and soon you’ll have your pistachio gelato. 

Ingredients:  

• 2 cups of whole milk 
• ⅓ cup of sugar 
• 2 tbsp cornstarch 
• 7 ounces of pistachio paste 
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice 

Preparation 

• Heat the milk with the sugar in a saucepan. Before adding the sugar take 4 tablespoons of milk and make a cornstarch slurry. It would be best to mix the cornstarch well until it is completely dissolved in the milk.  
• Before the milk starts to boil, pour the cornstarch slurry and mix everything well. Cook it for a few minutes on low heat.  
• Pour the mix into a bowl and allow it cool completely. For the best results, let it cool off overnight.  
• Add the pistachio paste and mix everything well once the mixture is cooled. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice, and mix.  
• Pour the mix you made into the ice cream maker, and freeze it. Be sure to do it according to your machine’s manufacturer’s instructions.  
• Once the gelato is done, transfer it to an airtight container, and keep it in your freezer. 
• And finally, enjoy!  

Making something a dessert like this is a labor of love, but it is worth it, believe us. It can be a great chance to include your children in the whole process and let them help you prepare the gelato. They will love the process and love the final taste even more. 

But if you don’t have time to prepare something like this, don’t worry. You can always visit us at Mi’talia and enjoy our Italian-inspired delicious desserts and authentic Italian gelato.

We are a Miami-based restaurant that draws inspiration from authentic Italian recipes, giving them a modern twist. We are very proud of our menus, the fresh ingredients we use, and the relaxing atmosphere we create. We invite you to come and relish your day on our lovely outdoor patio and refresh yourself with a bit of delicious gelato.