Fresh Fruit Ice Cream
The vodka helps to keep the ice cream from getting icy.
I used strawberries for these recipes.
Ingredients
2 pounds fresh in-season fruit (strawberries, peaches, etc), chopped
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 can (13.5 ounces) full fat coconut cream
½ cup powdered sugar or sugar substitute
2 tablespoons vodka
1 teaspoon orange extract
Directions
Pour the heavy cream, coconut cream, sugar, vodka, and orange extract into a deep mixing bowl.
Process the mixture with an immersion blender until thoroughly combined and the mixture thickens. Stir in the sliced fruit.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the mixture for 3 hours to overnight to let the flavors develop.
Whisk the mixture and pour into a large loaf pan, cover and place into the freezer.
After about an hour, stir the mixture.
Return it to the freezer until frozen solid.
Let the ice cream sit on the kitchen counter for 15 minutes before serving.
Strawberry Creamsicles
6 popsicles
Ingredients
4 oz cream cheese softened
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar or sugar substitute
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup (8-9 oz) fresh strawberries finely chopped
Directions
Place cream cheese, cream, sugar and lemon juice in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the chopped strawberries. and process
until the berries are incorporated.
Pour mixture into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours. To unmold, run under hot tap water for 20 to 30 seconds, and then twist the stick to gently to release.
I enjoy inviting friends over and usually prepare a meal for them. It can be brunch, or a casual meal by the pool, a BBQ or a more formal meal. The menu below was for a special occasion with some special friends. I wanted to make something different for the main course and came up with Chicken “Wellington”. This turned out to be a delicious meal that my friends loved.
First Course
Italian Onion Soup
Ingredient
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
2 pounds of Tropea onions or red sweet onions – halved or quartered and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sea salt
6 cups beef broth
1/2 cup dry red wine
Croutons
Shaved Parmesan cheese for the topping
Directions
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, add the olive oil and set on the pan over medium heat.
When the oil is hot, add the garlic and let sizzle for about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn.
Add the onion slices and sprinkle with the salt. Stir into the olive oil with a wooden spoon.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly cook the onions for about 15 minutes – stirring frequently.
The onions will reduce in size and begin to develop a light browned color.
Add the wine to the pot and cook until the liquid reduces. Add the beef broth and bring the liquid to a boil.
Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low and cook for 45 minutes.
Uncover and cook for another 15 minutes, letting the soup thicken a bit.
When ready to serve, pour soup into individual soup bowls, top with croutons and shaved cheese.
Second Course
Stuffed Chicken Breasts In Pastry
Ingredients
One 17.3-ounce package Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves
6 heaping tablespoons chive/onion cream cheese, divided
3/4 cup spinach pesto, divided, Recipe Link
Directions
Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness between sheets of plastic wrap.
Place one heaping tablespoon of cream cheese on one end of each breast and flatten the cheese to make an even layer.
Fold the opposite end of the breast over the cheese and press down. Do the same with the rest of the chicken.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Unfold one pastry sheet on a lightly floured work surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 16-inch square.
Cut into 4 squares. Do the same with the second sheet of pastry and set 2 squares aside.
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of spinach pesto on each square.
Top each with a folded chicken breast. Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg mixture.
Fold the corners of the pastries up over the chicken and press to seal. Place the pastries on an oiled baking sheet.
Use a small decorative cookie cutter to cut out 6 flowers or other shapes.
Place a cutout on top of each pastry.Brush with the egg mixture.
Bake for 30 minutes. Pastry should be golden brown and flaky and the chicken should register 165 on an instant read meat thermometer.
While the chicken is baking make the wine sauce.
Mushroom Wine Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves minced garlic
1 shallot, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions
In a medium skillet heat the butter over medium heat. Saute the mushrooms, shallot and garlic for 5 minutes.
Add the freshly chopped parsley, salt and pepper and continue to saute for about 8-10 minutes.
Add the wine, bring to a boil and reduce by about 1/2 over medium heat.
Turn the heat down to a simmer and add the cream. Heat over low and serve with the cooked chicken breasts.
Rapini with Garlic and Oregano
4 Servings
Ingredients
1 bunch broccoli rabe (rapini), ends trimmed and rinsed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 large garlic cloves minced
1/2 dried oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon red pepper, crushed
Salt to taste
Directions
Cook broccoli in boiling, salted water in a large saucepan 2 to 3 minutes or until just tender; drain.
Rinse with cold water; coarsely chop and drain again.
Heat oil in the same saucepan. Add broccoli, garlic, crushed red pepper and oregano; cook stirring 3 to 4 minutes.
Season with salt, to taste.
Corn Custard
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter
5 cups fresh yellow corn kernels cut off the cob (6 to 8 ears)
1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)
4 eggs
2 cups prepared Bechamel sauce, see recipe below
1/2 cup finely ground yellow cornmeal flour (Masa Harina)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease the inside of a 2 quart baking dish.
Melt the butter in a large saute pan and saute the corn and onion over medium-high heat for 4 minutes. Cool slightly.
Whisk together the eggs and Bechamel sauce in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the cornmeal and then the ricotta.
Add the honey, salt, pepper and the cooked corn mixture. Process until smooth with a stick blender.
Stir in the chopped chives and the grated cheddar cheese. Pour into the baking dish.
Place the dish in a larger pan and fill the pan 1/2 way up the sides of the dish with hot tap water.
Bake the pudding for 40 to 45 minutes until the top begins to brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve warm.
This dish can be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated. Remove from the refrigerator one hour before baking.
Béchamel Sauce
Ingredients
3 cups whole milk
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
To make the béchamel:
Melt the butter over medium heat. When foaming, add the flour and stir briskly with a whisk.
Cook for about 2 minutes, then slowly add the milk, whisking continuously.
Cook for about 3-4 minutes more, until it is of medium-thick consistency, similar to a runny pudding or yogurt.
Remove from the heat and set aside. Makes about 3 cups.
Dessert Course
Vanilla Ice Cream with Berry Sauce and Shortbread Cookies
Slice-and-Bake Shortbread Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen
Ingredients
1 cup salted butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Directions
Beat 1 cup softened butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and almond extract until blended.
Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt.
Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating at low-speed until blended.
Shape the shortbread dough into 2 (7-inch) logs.
Wrap each log in plastic wrap and chill 4 hours, or freeze logs in zip-top plastic freezer bags up to 1 month.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
If frozen, let logs stand at room temperature 10 minutes.
Cut each log into 1/4 inch t slices. Place shortbread slices 1 inch apart on lightly greased or parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
Bake the shortbread slices for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges of slices are golden.
Remove shortbread from the baking sheets and place on wire racks; let cool completely (about 20 minutes).
Store in airtight containers or in the freezer.
In my area of the world, it is often too hot at this time of year to spend a great deal of time baking when guests are coming for dinner. So during the cooler months, I like to make a few simple sponge cakes to keep in the freezer. That way I can make a refreshing dessert for company in the summer without a lot of fuss.
During the summer months, ice cream desserts can really “hit the spot”. It is easy to pull together a really great tasting dessert when it is hot with just a few simple ingredients. Here are a few ideas.
Simple Sponge Cake
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, separated
- 1 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup cake flour
Directions
Cut parchment or wax paper to fit two 9″ round cake pans.
Separate eggs, putting whites in large mixer bowl and yolks in small mixer bowl.
Add 1/2 cup sugar and a pinch of salt to the whites and beat until very stiff.
Add 1/2 cup sugar to the yolks and beat until very thick and light yellow in color.
Fold egg yolk mixture into egg whites.
Fold flour in using 1//3 cup each time until well mixed.
Do not over-mix.
Divide the cake batter and pour into the prepared pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.
Cool for a few minutes, remove from pan and remove paper.
Cool completely.
Tiramisu Ice Cream Parfaits
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
- 4 cups (1-inch) cubed sponge cake (you could also use angel food cake or pound cake)
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
- 1 (3-ounce) dark chocolate bar, shaved with a vegetable peeler
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and cut in half
Directions
In a bowl mix the cake cubes with 2/3 of the coffee until well soaked.
Stir ice cream in a second bowl until spoonable, then layer cake cubes and ice cream in parfait glasses. Top each with a drizzle of coffee, a generous amount of chocolate shavings and a few cherries. Serve immediately.
Pineapple Ice Cream Sandwiches
2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 (1/4-inch thick) fresh pineapple slices, cut in circles
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream, softened
- Toasted flaked sweetened coconut
Directions
Grill pineapple slices over low to medium heat for 90 seconds on each side. Allow to cool briefly.
Sandwich the softened ice cream between the 2 grilled slices of pineapple. Coat sides in toasted coconut. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Vanilla Affogato
Affogato is an Italian drink that makes a wonderful alternative to iced coffee on a hot summer day. Affogato literally means “drowned”. It generally consists of gelato (Italian ice cream) that is topped with hot espresso or a liqueur. You can use freshly brewed espresso or instant or decaffeinated espresso, if you prefer. You may also top your drink with a liqueur such as Kahlua, Grand Marnier or Frangelico. You can also add a little powdered chocolate milk mix to the coffee for a mocha flavor. Traditionally, affogato is served with a biscotti on the side.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1 pint vanilla gelato or ice cream
- Shaved chocolate
Directions
Beat the cream until stiff peaks form.
Cover and refrigerate.
Stir the espresso powder into the boiling water until dissolved.
Place one scoop of gelato into 4 tall glasses or large coffee mugs.
Pour 2 to 4 tablespoons hot espresso over each.
Top each with a dollop of whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serve immediately.
Sicilian Granita
Tip: If you don’t have an espresso maker, use instant espresso powder and water; store the powder in your freezer after opening. Instant coffee will also work in a pinch, it just won’t be as full-flavored.
8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups freshly brewed espresso
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Directions
Stir hot espresso and sugar in a medium bowl until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
Place on a level surface in your freezer and freeze for 2 hours, stirring and scraping with a fork every 20 minutes to break up the ice crystals. Cover and freeze for at least 1 hour more.
Beat cream and powdered sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high-speed until medium peaks form, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Scrape the frozen granita into ice crystals using a sturdy fork.
To serve, layer the granita in dessert goblets and top each with a tablespoon of whipped cream.
Italian Coconut-Coffee Bites
24 bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoons instant espresso powder or 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
- 2 ½ tablespoons boiling water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ¼ cups finely crushed biscotti crumbs
- 5 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Line twenty-four mini muffin cups with paper baking cups; set aside.
Dissolve espresso powder in the boiling water; set aside.
For the crust:
In a medium nonstick skillet melt butter over medium-low heat. When butter is bubbling, add coconut. Cook and stir until coconut is toasted and golden brown. Stir in finely crushed biscotti crumbs. Remove pan from heat.
Spoon 1 teaspoon of the crumb mixture into each prepared muffin cup; press firmly to pack down. Place the muffin cup pan in the freezer. Keep remaining crumb mixture at room temperature to use for topping.
For the filling:
In a medium bowl beat mascarpone cheese with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy, Beat in the sugar, cinnamon and salt until smooth and well mixed. Beat in vanilla and espresso.
Divide filling among the crumb-lined muffin cups. Top each cup with the reserved crumb mixture. With a fingertip, gently press topping into filling.
Freeze until firm, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
