Your Main Baking Ingredient Ice Cream

 It is too hot to bake a cake or pie.What do you do though to celebrate birthdays or just finish a nice family barbecue? You can still have these treats just think cold. Using ice cream as the base for any treat is the perfect way to have your cake or pie and eat it too.

One of the most popular summertime cakes in the US is the Dairy Queen Ice cream cake. Yes, you can buy it at any Dairy Queen however you can make it with your favorite flavors. If you're making the original start with the chocolate layer first. Spread the ice cream into an either eight by three or nine inch cake pan. A springform pan would be your best bet because it will hold the shape more. After filling pop into the freezer for half an hour. The gooey middle section is actually a ganache with corn syrup added. Adding this prevents it form freezing and gives it that classic oozy texture. Freeze for then minutes.Then there is that layer of chocolate crunchies. This can be ground up Oreos or better yet Nabisco Chocolate Wafers. These last  work the best because it's a cleaner layer without the white filling clumping it up.After layering this on, frreze for another half hour. The vanilla layer is added on last and then the whole cake is frozen until firm. Real whipped cream is added on. Add confectioner's sugar to prevent the cream from wilting. Keep in mind you can add any kind of ice cream. Try mint and chocolate or coffee and vanilla for a different flavor. You can also do this with ice cream cupcakes too.

Ice cream pies are an easier make.You can create your own Graham cracker or chocolate wafer crust. This is just griniding up the cracker or wafers and adding four to six tablespoons of melted butter or plant based butter. Press into a pie plate and then put in any ice cream you want. Try a classic vanilla in a Graham cracker crust and topped with sea salt caramel and nuts. You can also use the chocolate wafer crust too. Peach ice cream would also work well in a Graham cracker crust too. Add fresh cut peach slices for extra deliciousness.For a mocchaccino vibe think filling a chocolate crust with coffee ice cream. Serve with a dolllop of hot fudge sauce and a puff of whipped cream. This also works for chocolate chip mint  and strawberry ice cream too. Of course it's sheer heaven with chocolate ice cream too.Add sprinkles, whipped cream or chocolate chips. Crushed toffee on both vanilla and chocolate pies is also a great topping. Keep in mind that that you can also make ice cream tarts too this way.

It's easy to make a cake or pie even though the temps are high. Just use your favorite ice cream as the base. Create a yummy dessert that's a cool, sweet treat.

A Comforting Classic Graham Crackers

 Everyone has nostalgic memories about Graham crackers. They are still the ultimate comfort snack along with being versatile in a number of recipes. This American favorite is a must have kitchen staple.

Graham crackers are truly a US invention.It was through the influence of vegetarian, temperance leader and preacher Sylvester Graham that these sweet crackers came to be. His followers were called Grahamites and Graham flours Graham crackers and even Graham bread was created for them. The shared ingredients in all three was coarsely ground whole wheat flour that gives the crackers their distinctive deep tan color. This was supposed to be healthier than finely ground white flour and believed to be a preventative against the 1829-1859 cholera epidemic. Graham crackers became so popular that Herman Melville mentioned them in his 1856 novel Pierre or The Ambiguities. They were easy to mass produce thanks to the simple ingredients of graham flour,oil, molasses, and lard. The molasses gives it that special sweet flavor along with fermented yeast added during mass production.. Nabisco started manufacturing them as early as 1898 and was in competition a decade later with the Loose-wiles Biscuit Company. In recent decades variations were added. Now we not only have the original but also cinnamon sugar topped ones and chocolate Graham crackers. Shapes like bunnies and bears have been added in the last thirty years.

As we all know Graham crackers are versatile. They make for the perfect after school or evening snack with milk or tea. The packets are perfect to take along to school or on picnics. The ultimate Graham cracker creation is the s'mores. It's a fun bite of marshmallows and a broken chocolate bar sandwiched between two crackers. You can make this really decadent by using the chocolate version and  80  % dark chocolate. Doing this cuts the marshmallows' sweetness and emphasizes the deep cocoa flavor.Graham cracker crusts have long been used in pies and cheesecakes. It's a simple mix of finely ground crumbs mixed with melted butter, white sugar and cinnamon. This crust works best with summery pies like Key Lime or lemon meringue. It also works for pudding filled pies like coconut cream and chocolate. They also work in ice box cakes too.Layer them with any kind of pudding and them top with either Cool Whip or whip cream based frosting. A sweet dessert perfect for a Saturday or Sunday gathering is chocolate graham crackers layered with a quick chocolate mousse of Cool Whip and instant chocolate pudding. Frost with Cool Whip and them grate dark chocolate over the top.

Graham crackers are the classic American comfort food. enjoy a plate of them with cold milk or hot tea or coffee. Use them as crusts or bases for pies and ice box cakes. They are versatile and perfect for snacking.

Parcels Of Love

There are still many who are alone during this pandemic. They remain inside or yard bound . sometimes they're alone , eating and drinking by themselves.It's time to reach out  with parcels. These will bring a smile to anyone's face.

Food parcels are easy and fun to create. What's great about them right now is using the bounty of the season, Those voluntarily shut in would appreciate fresh tomatoes for sandwiches along with squash and eggplant, perfect for frying or ratatouille. Also an extra treat would be bags of fresh picked basil and dill along with other herbs. You could also create a barbecue themed parcel, with hamburgers or hot dogs along with rolls and ready made salads. If you can, stay and join them for the cook out. A shared meal, especially a barbecue is always welcome and can be turned into an entertaining night, even if it is just for two.Include graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for s'more later on. Sandwiches are also a great bring over. Buy or make heroes and bring along chips or cherry tomatoes. Join the person (or people) for some talk and company. This will go a long way and buoy their spirits. Another idea is  ordering from the person's favorite restaurant. You could just order appetizers or a full meal along with a dessert for each.

A question that may be asked is should you bring alcohol? The pandemic has made many feel hopeless and anxious, stressed about all aspects of their futures. A bottle or can helps to relax and unfortunately a few have been emptying a bottle or two a night. I would say go with soda or sparkling water to accompany a meal. There's nothing wrong with bringing some iced coffees or teas that you can sip. As the weather gets cooler, then bring pumpkin spice lattes or hot cocoa. These are better. No one gets drunk or even sick. You may want to address the wine or beer indulgence if you're worried about the person. Just go easy and be subtle.Another way is introducing mocktails. These can be made at home and brought over in a container or thermos or made fresh at the person's house. Have Virgin Marys' with a breakfast sandwich or a Virgin Pina Colada with ribs or tacos. Bring the ingredients which are juices, different herbs and seltzer.If you're celebrating a birthday or just want a fun fizzy drink then think a non alcoholic champagne. Pair it with  something lush to eat like a shrimp cocktail or a small tin of caviar.

There are many shut ins these days. They are eating, and at times drinking alone. Bring them something tasty and fun to alleviate the loneliness, Stay for their company and food.

Dining Out Or In For Father's Day

Two big events are happening this weekend. Restaurants are opening and it's Father's Day. Now here's the question. Should you celebrate at Dad's favorite restaurant or have something at home? Can the family head out or is better to have a backyard bash?

There should be reservations already in place if you are planning on taking the man of the day out. There are some eateries who will take last minute reservations along with a handful who don't even need reservations. Eating out again is a big deal - and fun. After all it's a chance to dress up , comb the hair and put on sandals other than flipflops. Then there's sitting down and actually ordering a meal. Being waited on is another nice perk along with being served food that you haven't cooked yourself or comes in a container in a paper bag.There's also the thrill of ordering anything you like, from steak to shrimp as opposed to being stuck with what's being cooked in the air fryer or crockpot. Another plus of eating out? Desserts!!! Dad can choose anything from a whipped cream embellished slice of chocolate cake or a fancy mint leaf crowned sorbet in a fancy glass. Instead of a Keurig cup, he and you can have cappuccino or espresso. It's just a nice time out even though you may be dining out in the parking lot.

However it can be more comforting to celebrate Dad in the backyard. It's safer that's for sure if only a close few are invited - or just those living in the house. You can still have the fancy restaurant food , either with take out or making it yourself. An easy but lush lunch or dinner is grilled steak with a coin of herbed butter on it. Herbed butter is a easy make. It's taking plain butter (dairy or plant based) mixed with lemon juice, finely chopped parsley and a variety of other herbs such as oregano, basil, or rosemary. The butter can also be used on toasted Italian or French bread too. Another fun dad dish is a beer burger. This is combining a quarter cup of his favorite beer with chopped beef, Worcester sauce , garlic and onion. Serve with sliced tomatoes and lettuce along with a slice of Swiss cheese. Instead of the usual , gloppy macaroni salads, try grilled veggies as a side. Grill corn and asparagus along with eggplant. You can also use the herbed butter on these or on that other fatherly favorite grilled baked potatoes. End the meal with chocolate stout cupcakes with buttercream icing or double chocolate s'more's using chocolate graham crackers and eighty to ninety percent dark chocolate instead of plain graham crackers and milk chocolate bar.

Father's Day is a time of celebrating. That's the important aspect, whether you dine in or out. Make sure the fathers in your life have a good meal and a good time.