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Bouza

A traditional Middle Eastern stretchy ice cream flavored with aromatic mastic resin and floral rose water. It is churned until dense and elastic, then rolled in vibrant crushed pistachios before serving.

35 minMediumServes 6280 cal/serving

Middle EasternDessertStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreeAlcohol-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp mastic tears, ground
  • 1 tbsp rose water
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, crushed

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk 3 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, and 3 tbsp cornstarch in a saucepan until smooth.

  2. 2

    Heat over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens to a thin custard consistency.

  3. 3

    Stir in 1/2 tsp ground mastic tears and 1 tbsp rose water, then remove from heat and let cool completely.

  4. 4

    Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, then churn in an ice cream maker until thick and stretchy.

  5. 5

    Transfer to a pan lined with parchment, freeze until firm, then roll in 1/2 cup crushed pistachios before serving.

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Questions

What is Bouza?

A traditional Middle Eastern stretchy ice cream flavored with aromatic mastic resin and floral rose water. It is churned until dense and elastic, then rolled in vibrant crushed pistachios before serving. This reference files it under Middle Eastern dessert: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 35 minutes start to finish.

How much time should I plan for Bouza?

As written, 35 minutes: 20 of prep and 15 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 4, 4 hours. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What can I use instead of cornstarch in Bouza?

The entry for Bouza calls for 3 tbsp cornstarch. In its place: Use twice as much all-purpose flour and cook it a few minutes longer, or the same amount of arrowroot or tapioca starch.

Can I make Bouza dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Bouza is 3 cups whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Bouza gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Bouza is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the cornstarch.

Does Bouza contain tree nuts?

Yes: 1/2 cup pistachios, crushed. The full allergen list for this entry is dairy and tree nuts. Where the nuts are a garnish or a texture, toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds stand in. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Which part of Bouza can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 4. Step 4 is a built-in pause of 4 hours: "Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, then churn in an ice cream maker until thick and stretchy." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 5 when you are ready to finish.

Serve it with

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