A Dangerous and Decadent Fixation
July 9, 2010
It all started with this strange whirring sound in the middle of the Fourth of July party. I was catching up with my girlfriends when the sound of a small appliance began to compete with the iPod playlist.
Turns out, my hub had decided in the middle of the party to make homemade vanilla ice cream. Huh ? It was one of those moments where you look at your spouse that you’ve been married to for over a decade and realize perhaps you really don’t know that person at all.
Apparently, he had pulled the never-been-used Krups ice cream maker (so ancient, it’s now discontinued) out of its dusty box the day before and frozen the bowl in anticipation of making ice cream in the middle of the party. That’s just how he rolls.
I confess, I mocked him. “What’s going on here?” Reply: “Obviously, I’m making ice cream. What’s a Fourth of July party without homemade vanilla ice cream?” Perplexed and befuddled was I. But my bewildered smirk gave way to a satisfied grin when I tasted his concoction. He said, “Don’t you remember, we said we would make homemade ice cream this summer?” That’s right, I did say that.
Unfortunately, he’s now created a dangerous monster because I’ve been obsessed all week with my ice cream maker. Oh, it all started so innocently, with plain vanilla.
My vanilla soon morphed into pralines and cream with some caramel sauce and chopped pecans.
Then I put in on top of warm brownies to really send my family over the edge.
The munchkins and I picked some wild blackberries on the back hill, and of course they ended up on top of our second batch of vanilla.
But then I was inspired by this recipe on Country Living and just had to make . . .
Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
12 oz. pureed and strained blackberries
6 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1.5 cups sugar
1.5 cups whipping cream
1.5 cups milk
With fork, mix softened cream cheese with sugar, slowly add whipping cream and milk, blend together. Add blackberries, blend, then process in ice cream maker.
As you can see, I am in serious trouble.
One final public service announcement: Did you know it’s a misdemeanor to rinse an ice cream covered paddle before you lick it clean? I’m just looking out for you.
My ice cream maker is now my dangerous and decadent fixation. I’ve moved on to more advanced ingredients, secretly hunting for new flavors on Epicurious. On behalf of my mid section, someone needs to stage an intervention. Please, I beg you.
Or at least join me and we’ll all spiral towards chubbiness together. Have a great summer weekend . . . and please eat something decadent, just to show you care.
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