Yesterday, the kids requested that I make some ice cream. They love homemade vanilla, maple, and peppermint stick ice cream, but their other favorite, coffee, was up in the rotation. As always, I put aside my concerns about a high-octane jolt of caffeine right before bedtime and got churning.
After dinner, the 10YO was writhing around in his chair in total ice cream bliss (or total caffeine overload, not sure which). He began strategizing all of the ways we could get rich off of this ice cream—never mind that the ice cream market is already very well saturated, and I'm far too lazy for any kind of business plan that doesn't involve sitting in one place for long periods of time, speaking to no one. Still, he insisted.
10YO: Mommy, you HAVE to start a company.
7YO: No, Mommy. I have a better idea. Start a company, make a million bowls of ice cream, and then shut it down and lock the doors so we can eat it all!
Wow, you can't buy that kind of press. Especially on double veggie night!
Anyway, I'd give you the recipe for my coffee ice cream, but I can't because it's under lock and key. Nobody's going to buy the cow if they can get the delicious coffee milkshakes for free! (The cow in this analogy is my cookbook, by the way, not me.) The book will also have the aforementioned vanilla, maple, and peppermint stick recipes, as well as some of my other favorite flavors, like pistachio, brown butter pecan, and cinnamon date. Speaking of dates, the book is officially on sale October 22, 2013.
Meanwhile, here's a fun question for you. I have a recipe in the cookbook for a vegetable-themed ice cream. Yes, a vegetable-themed ice cream. Stop gagging! I'll have you know it got enthusiastic reviews not just from an objective recipe-tester, but also Husband, TeenNiece, and the 10YO (the 7YO, not so much).
Can you guess what vegetable it is?
Avocado! Or is that a fruit? Beets!
Posted by: Caitlin | January 31, 2013 at 10:12 PM
Think Caitlin's got a good idea in beets. Not wanting to be a copycat, I'm going to guess carrots. Carrot ginger sounds like a really nice ice cream combination.
Posted by: Jessica | January 31, 2013 at 11:20 PM
I'm taking more guesses, I think my brain's ticking now! How about something with pumpkin/sweet potato, kind of pumpkin pie inspired, or tomato basil!
Posted by: Jessica | January 31, 2013 at 11:24 PM
Fennel?
Posted by: Susan | February 01, 2013 at 12:10 AM
I want, nay, NEED a bowl of coffee ice cream right now.
In my mouth, RIGHT NOW.
When can we pre-order the book?
Posted by: Calamity Shazaam | February 01, 2013 at 09:06 AM
Okay! I won't ask for the recipe, but will buy the book, however, can I ask for the ice cream maker you use (or is it a method you use in the book?) If it is a machine, could you please recommend? If it is a method, then when I get the book I will see I guess.
Posted by: Cindy Taylor | February 01, 2013 at 09:16 AM
I guess pumpkin ice cream.
Posted by: klp | February 01, 2013 at 09:33 AM
IS pumpkin a vegetable? If not, then sweet potato. Maybe even corn.
Also, in the book, do you recommend an ice cream maker? Coffee is my absolute FAVORITE ice cream EVER. Guess this means I have to buy the book!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | February 01, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Kale! There's a local dairy here that does a kale and black raspberry swirl that is pretty amazing.
Posted by: millie | February 01, 2013 at 10:46 AM
My guess is beet
Posted by: Blaine | February 01, 2013 at 07:57 PM
Broccoli?
Posted by: Fredda Gordon | February 01, 2013 at 08:37 PM
Corn!
Posted by: Michele | February 02, 2013 at 09:04 AM
Yes, carrot & ginger sounds wonderful. I love beets and that would be good too - w ginger or cinnamon? Broccoli and Corn? I don't think so.
Posted by: Susan Magoon | February 02, 2013 at 02:31 PM
Carrot would be my guess.
Posted by: Maureen | February 04, 2013 at 05:47 PM
parsnip?
Posted by: joanna | February 05, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Yes, beet! Caitlin, Jessica, and Blaine were right on. There's also a pumpkin ice cream, but pumpkin is actually a fruit. I really enjoyed the other flavor ideas, especially carrot ginger and fennel (I love anise-flavored anything). And I'm very intrigued by Millie's kale and black raspberry swirl.
As for ice cream machines, I use a basic Cuisinart model with a frozen canister on a rotating base and a plastic dasher to scrape the ice crystals from the sides of the frozen bowl. It's the basic model and mine's at least 12 years old. I think it runs about $60 and is worth every penny. (Five bucks a year is less than the cost of an ice cream cone in some parts.)
Here's the model: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-ICE-20-Automatic-2-Quart-Cream/dp/B00000JGRT/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1360118692&sr=8-4&keywords=cuisinart+ice+cream+maker
You can also make ice cream without a machine--I give instructions in the book, which are basically to pour the ice cream base into a metal container, set it in the freezer, and mix it well every half hour for 4 hours or so. But it comes out so much creamier with a machine. I think it's worth the cost.
As for pre-ordering the book, I'm not sure, but I'll definitely keep you posted!
Posted by: Tammy | February 05, 2013 at 09:53 PM
there's a fantastic beet ice cream in Jenni's splendid ice cream book. Can't wait to try yours!
Posted by: midshine | February 21, 2013 at 12:43 PM