I had a dream last night about homemade ice cream. I was in a shady park serving up samples of my very creamy and delicious homemade vanilla ice cream to the few people there. They were most enthusiastic about how really delicious it was. Then, there was this wise guy who proceeded to ask me why I put so much work into making something that I could just go down to the store and buy. Well - I hate confrontation and especially when people try to put me "on guard" to defend myself. After all, this is MY DREAM. I tried to ignore him and continue on my way but he kept asking me that question. Soon I woke up but this dream has been in my thoughts all morning.
Now I am not a dream analyzer, but this was crazy. Is my sub concious telling me to slow down and just go to the "store" instead of always doing things myself? or what?
If you are up on dreams, feel free to provide your comments.
Here is my most delicious recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream, with a few variations.
This is real ice cream, in the true style without eggs (then it would be custard) and is not for the faint hearted, either in calories or pocket book.
You will diffently enjoy this one! If you have any questions, let me know.
Vanilla Ice Cream
1 quart light cream (half & half)
1-1/2 cups superfine sugar (or grind it in the blender)
1 3-inch piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 pint heavy cream
Heat and stir light cream, sugar and split vanilla bean over moderate heat just sugar dissolves throughly and the cream is well heated. (Don't skip this step or the ice cream will be gritty)
Remove pan from heat and remove vanilla bean - but leave the seeds. Cool the mixture and mix in the heavy cream.
Chill the mixture for 1-2 hours, then freeze in an electric or crank-type freezer or automatic ice-cream machine following manufacturer's directions.
Chocolate Ice Cream
- just heat 3 squares unsweetened chocolate along with the light cream and use 2 cups of sugar, stirring until all the chocolate is melted.Fresh Fruit Ice Cream
- Heat 1 pint cream and the sugar as directed. Cool, omit vanilla bean, but mix in 2 cups any fruit puree (sieved berry, fresh peach, mango, papaya, piceapple, banana, apricot, kiwi, etc.) and the heavy cream. Add 1/4 cup lemon or orange juice, and, if the flavor is peach, apricot or pineapple, add 1 teaspoon almond extract. Proceed as directed.The peach is my favorite. The almond extract makes all the difference.
