Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Recipes’ Category

Since July is National Ice Cream Month and today is the last day of the month, it seemed appropriate to share an ice cream recipe today.

My Aunt Karen makes the best chocolate ice cream. At a recent family reunion, there were several of us cousins (the known chocoholics) who would have willingly passed up the meal to have a bowl of her ice cream first. Unfortunately, there were too many little ones watching for us to abandon all reason and dive directly into the ice cream. You know, setting a good example, and all that.

So with limited restraint, we anxiously awaited the appropriate time to forsake our hamburgers and get in line for a bowl of this smooth, creamy confection. It isn’t too sweet or too rich. It is frozen perfection with a light chocolate flavor. She has graciously shared her recipe with me, so here it is:

Aunt Karen’s Chocolate Ice Cream

3 cups sugar
Rounded 1/2 cup measure of cocoa powder
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups half-and-half
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 quart heavy whipping cream
Approximately 2 quarts of whole milk

Blend sugar and cocoa powder together then add 1 quart of milk in large kettle (saucepan). Bring to a simmer, add a small amount of the hot mixture to the eggs to temper. Beat well and add back to the kettle.  Bring this to a boil and then remove from heat. After it cools a few minutes add vanilla, half-and-half and the heavy cream.  Refrigerate until cold, stir occasionally.  Overnight is good. Add cold mixture to your ice cream freezer can and fill up to the one gallon mark with whole milk. Freeze as your ice cream freezer directs. Makes one gallon.

If you have a great ice cream recipe you’d like to share or want info on a great ice cream scoop, leave a post here.

Enjoy!

Read Full Post »

For many people, standing in the kitchen doing the prep work necessary for cooking is not terribly appealing.  In fact, many people avoid this step as much as possible, thinking of prep work as some form of torment or drudgery.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

You can have fun with prep work and also get through it a quicker when you have some good basic tools in your kitchen. Take a look at the tools you use. Are they outdated, in need of sharpening, not good quality, from early-marriage poverty? It may be time for an upgrade!

I’m not an advocate for oodles of tools, but you will see a huge difference in the amount of time and effort it takes to do prep work when you invest in a few quality pieces. Have at least one great piece of cutlery and cookware. Get a good-quality peeler or paring knife. Have a set of mixing bowls that you like to use, that fit your hand well and hold up to a variety of challenges. Get two good cutting boards, one for meat and the other for everything else.

Invest in tools that you can use for a lifetime and you’ll be so glad you did!

For information about the tools I recommend the most, please sign up for my newsletter or post a comment here.

Read Full Post »

polka dotsSummer’s bounty of delicious fruit is not wasted at our house. One of Hubby’s favorite desserts is this quick and easy fruit cobbler that is great with any type of fruit. From peaches to plump berries, it comes together in a snap and is so good with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Enjoy!

Jiffy Fruit Cobbler

1 c. sugar
1 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. milk
1/2 stick butter
3 cups fruit

Melt butter in baking dish at 350 degrees. Mix sugar, flour, baking powder and milk. Add to melted butter. Do not stir. Put fruit on top. Again, do not stir . Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

What is your favorite fruit cobbler? Please feel free to share your comments here!

Read Full Post »

napa-trayThere is nothing quite like a nice, cold glass of iced tea on a hot summer day to really quench your thirst. You can do all sorts of variations on the basic black tea with lemon.

You can add sliced fruit or berries, mix in frozen juice concentrate or even use herbal tea for some fun flavors.

One of my all-time favorite iced teas is mint. A very dear friend is positively convinced I make it just for her. I’ll let her keep thinking that as long as she lets me have a glass or two!

Here is a quick and easy recipe. Enjoy!

Mint Iced Tea

3 mint tea bags (I’ve tried a variety and Bigelow Plantation Mint works the best)

4 cups boiling water

8 cups cool water

2/3 cup sugar

Mint sprigs

Stir sugar into the boiling water until it is dissolved. Add the tea bags and let steep for about 10 minutes. Discard tea bags and pour tea into a 12 cup pitcher. Add cool water and stir. Toss in a few fresh mint sprigs and serve over ice in chilled glasses.

Do you have any fun variations you add to your iced tea? Share your comments here!

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »