Your Ice Cream Guide

The warm weather brings about much wished, things, days at the beach , barbecues, and of course ice cream. This is the start of the frozen treat season. Yet many of us don't; know the difference between  gelato and an ice cream or frozen milk and regular ice cream. Just like flavors, there are so many different kinds of ice cream and ices .

Most of us usually have a brick of ice cream in the freezer.This is known as hard ice cream because of its consistency.It's made with not only milk and cream but also with eggs and stabilizers to keep it from melting..It's churned to keep the ingredients from freezing into a solid mass Ice cream can be made at home thanks to an ice cream maker or one of those balls with a canister inside to hold the mixture.French style ice cream is a bit richer thanks to the addition of eggs to make a thin version of  crème anglais.That boardwalk favorite frozen custard is similar but uses more eggs or just  yolks. Both are cooked and left to cool prior before freezing. Both are denser than regular ice cream and have a silky feeling.There is also Philadelphia style ice cream which is made without eggs.It's simpler to make at home. Remember without the egg base it does freeze firmer and harder. The Italians give us that classic treat gelato. The name simply means frozen in Italian . It can contain eggs or not but it is denser  than our version, thanks to having very little air whipped into it There is also semifreddo.. It means half cold and is a variation on ice cream or frozen custard.It's frozen in a loaf pan and then sluiced and served with fruit.It's usually made at home with just cream and eggs.

Of course there is the lighter side of frozen treats.These don't have  as many calories, yet still have     flavor. There is ice  milk which  doesn't have enough milk fat to be considered ice cream.It is still creamy but lighter and lower in calories. Sherbet has always been a warm weather favorite. Classic kinds are made with fruit juice sugar water or even wine..Some versions do contain milk, buttermilk, egg whites or gelatin.It is sometimes confused and labeled sorbet which is completely vegan. This has been traditionally used as a palate cleanser between large courses.It's usually lemon or strawberry flavored and very light on the tongue and taste buds. Granita is one of the easiest frozen treats to make at home.It's made from mashed ice and usually the preferred flavor is coffee.It can be served with ice cream but is good on it's own with a chocolate syrup and side of whipped cream.  Then there is ice.It can be known as Italian ice or water ice if you're from Philly.It can contain egg white as a binder but it's mostly just water and syrup churned like ice cream.  Another treat is President Obama's love Hawaiian shaved ice and this is the most refreshing of all the ices.It starts with a block of ice that's been shaved with a special gadget , mounded into  cone and then doused with syrup.  Three different flavors can be poured over it for a yummy rainbow ice.

Just as there are so many flavors, there are so may types to choose from. Make a semi freddo for a weekend get together, have a cone on Sunday and maybe some ice during the week. No matter what you finally opt for, it's all cool , sweet and delicious, a perfect break from the sweltering heat.       

A Healthier Ice Cream Treat

August is the time for ice cream and ice cream sandwiches.True, they are delicious but kind of limited in their flavors.It's usually the same chocolate cracker with only a few filling choices.Not to worry .There's a new recipe book out that offers tons of options.The best part they're all homemade and healthy! Vegan cook, Kris Holechek Peters has come up with an ingenious book aptly called " Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches" (Ulysses Press 2014).This slim book is chock full of good all natural cookie and ice cream recipes.Separately both treats are good on their own.Together they are heavenly.This is a great book for the lactose intolerant and those who want to get away from dairy and eggs.There is am introductory chapter in which Ms. Holechek Peters explains why and how to use the milk substitutes such as soy milk, coconut milk and raw cashews( although she also suggests using almonds and macadamia nuts).The ice creams are easy to make, the mixtures being thickened by all natural thickeners such as tapioca and arrowroot as well as guar gum and coconut oil.The cookies again, great on their own also have healthy ingredients like unbleached flour, evaporated cane and brown sugar,along with non dairy margarine.(although you can use regular),One the two components are made, assemblage is easy and kids will love scooping and sandwiching, probably testing both. What I love is the variety of different ice creams and cookies.For traditionalists there is the standard chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream filling.Chocolate lovers will love the double chocolate sandwich and the fun X Ray sandwich.These are vanilla cookies with a chocolate middle.There is also the pairing of homemade sorbets and cookies too.For an entirely refreshing treat try the lemon raspberry pucker sandwiches.The cookie is a snap made with the unusual ingredient of cornmeal.The filling is a sherbet of fresh raspberries.Another truly neat one is a spin on the non alcoholic drink Shirley Temple.Ms. Holechek Peters pairs a chewy cherry cookie with a lemon lime sherbet.Of course there are plays on ice cream standards with an homage to the banana split, orange dreamsicle and a root beer float with homemade root beer ice cream!She even includes sandwiches for cold weather holiday desserts? Imagine ending a Thanksgiving or fall Sunday dinner with pumpkin snicker doodle or cranberry gingersnaps sandwiches. There are nods to the coffeehouse with chai ice creamed filled sandwiches and a neat coffee infused treat. Spend these balmy August days makes dreamy treats.Use Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches to create tasty and healthy ice cream sandwiches.They're a departure from the usual fare plus, they not only good tasting but good for you!

Floating Into Summer

This is the time of year when both thirsts and temps run high. What can satisfy someone on a hot summer's evening? What's the perfect mix of cool and flavor? An ice cream soda, that's what.

An ice cream soda is just a fun treat - and it's wonderful escape during a hot day or night. It's been around since the 1890's when Dr Robert green made the first one in Philadelphia PA.It was originally made with cream until he ran out and then ice cream was subbed in. The classic float involves one or two scoops of vanilla or chocolate , seltzer and some chocolate syrup. Most old fashioned ice cream parlors then gild the lily with a spritz of whipped cream and a cherry on top (or sprinkles) . You can make this or add a twist with flavored seltzer such as black cherry or wild berry. Ice cream can be any kind , from the traditional three of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry or  the newer flavors such as cookies and cream or Rocky Road.Soda can be the usual seltzer or any cola. Root beer is the best choice  , especially with vanilla ice cream.

Of course there are some that will moan about the calories and the sugar. Any ice cream soda should have some fizz . Keep the seltzer but sub in either slow churned ice cream (such as Edy's or Turkey Hill). You'll still have the creaminess that's associated with the treatbut not as much sugar or fat than if you made it with Coke or Pepsi and regular ice cream,.Another idea is try a sorbet or sherbet. This makes for a low calories , fizzy cool drink. It's also a refreshing way to enjoy sorbet, especially the fruit flavored kinds. You can also add some sliced fruit to these such as peaches or strawberries or toss in a few blueberries blackberries.

An ice cream soda is a great way to beat the heat. It's sweet and fun along with being cool. Make one today to get a blast of something cold and refreshing!

A Little Cheating

Every now and then even the most health conscious foodie falls off the healthy grub wagon. Let's face it , unlike other addictions bad food is all around us.It exists in stores  at parties , even within in our grasps. It's hard to keep a healthy diet - however sometimes a little cheating can actually help.

Salt and sugar are the worst temptations. They're everywhere. However once in a while some fries or milk chocolate can satisfy. If you're planning on a salty treat, then just have a handful or share with someone.There are all natural chips such as The Good Earth olive oil fried potato chips or Food Should Taste Good chips and crackers. These are all natural as are the Back To Nature brand cheese crackers which also have unbleached flour and no preservatives. Barbecues are big this time of year and there's all sorts of stuff being offered. Stick with a few nibbles to satisfy yourself  and then make a beeline for the vegetable platter. Fill up on the healthier option of tomatoes, broccoli florets and cauliflower bits.

Sweets are always a factor in cheating. Let's face it , it's hard to resist cookies or cupcakes.It's the time of year too for ice cream in any form. The best bet is have a mini cupcake than a larger one and nibble a few cookies to satisfy that sweet tooth. You can also try the Back To Nature brand which has a wide variety of the kinds of cookies people love. As for ice cream, a kid size cone or cup will do nicely. You still get the taste but not all the calories or fat that would go with the  adult sized one.Another alternative is trying an Italian or plain ice ,sherbet or sorbet which has no dairy in it. These are water based so you don't have that fat. You can also freeze fruit like grapes or peach slices and have them as a different frozen treat.

Cheating on a healthy diet is OK every now and then. Satisfy that salt or sugar craving and then go back to what's good for you. Temptation is fine. Just sate it and then go back to eating better.