📖 Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the eel: If you're smoking the eel yourself, smoke it according to your smoker's instructions. A cold smoke is prefered to get the best flavor; aim for about 2-3 hours using alder or apple wood chips. If you purchased smoked eel, skip ahead.
2. Cucumber Prep: Peel and seed the cucumber. Roughly chop it and place it in a bowl.
3. Infuse the Cream: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not let it boil.
4. Add Cucumber: Add the chopped cucumber to the warm cream. Remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, in the refrigerator. This allows the cucumber flavor to infuse deeply into the cream.
5. Strain and Blend: Strain the cucumber-infused cream through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the cucumber to extract as much flavor as possible. Discard the cucumber pulp. Pour the strained cream into a blender.
6. Add Smoked Eel: Add the smoked eel to the blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Be careful not to over-blend, as this can warm up the cream and affect the final texture of the ice cream.
7. Chill the Mixture: Pour the blended mixture into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling process is crucial for preventing ice crystals from forming.
8. Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, or until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
9. Harden the Ice Cream: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to harden completely before serving. The texture will improve with this step.
10. Serve and Garnish: Scoop the smoked eel and cucumber ice cream into bowls or cones. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber ribbons or a sprig of dill for an elegant touch. I once used some edible silver flakes, which looked amazing!
11. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always taste the ice cream. If it's not salty enough for you, a tiny pinch of sea salt can elevate the flavors!