Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Creamy CHOCOLATE Heaven!

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I love this picture.  What is it?  Just about one of the best tasting and creamiest ice creams I have ever had.  It's definitely the best one I've ever made!  Where did this recipe come from?  Dorie Greenspan, of course!  I've been having so much fun with my new ice cream maker (and have probably been eating too much ice cream also!)  Well, this one is NOT the low fat/fat free kind of ice cream I eat, but man it was good!

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Chocolate Ganache Ice Cream, adapted very slightly from Dorie Greenspan's Baking From My Home to Yours

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

1  1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk (I used 2%)

4 large egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar

Put the chocolate in a 2-quart liquid measuring cup or a large heatproof bowl.  Bring 3/4 cup of the cream to a boil.  Pour the cream over the chocolate and let it sit a minute, then, with a rubber spatula, stir the cream into the chocolate until smooth.  Set it aside.

Bring the milk and the remaining 3/4 cup cream to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the yolks and sugar together until well blended and just slightly thickened.  Still whisking, drizzle in about one third of the hot liquid to temper the eggs so they won't curdle.  Whisking all the while, slowly pour in the remaining liquid.  Pour the custard back into the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring without stopping, until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.  If you run your finger down the bowl of the spoon, the custard should not run into the track.  The custard should reach at least 170 degrees F, but no more than 180 degrees F, on an instant-read thermometer.  Immediately remove the pan from the heat and slowly and gently stir the custard into the ganache.

Refrigerate the custard until chilled before churning it into ice cream.

Scrape the chilled custard into the bowl of an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions.  Pack the ice cream into a container and freeze for at least 2 hours, until it is firm enough to scoop.

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You know you want a lick.  This is GOOD and would be great with any mix-ins that go with chocolate.  I am interested to try it with a semi sweet chocolate and maybe even a milk chocolate.  But you'd be proud of me, I used a 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate and it's really good.

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While I was careful not to eat too much of this, I needed to make a frozen treat that I didn't feel quite so guilty about eating.  I went in search of a frozen yogurt recipe and after finding what seemed like thousands of different recipes online, I ended up making up my own with things I already had and guess what this was/is darn good.

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Vanilla Fro Yo by Katrina

14 oz. can fat free sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup fat free half and half

3/4 cup 2% milk

1 cup light cream

2 cups fat free vanilla yogurt (I used Dannon Light & Fit)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions.  Chill for a couple hours  or eat it soft serve. 

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All of the vanilla mixture was a little too much to fit in my ice cream maker at one time, so I kept out about 2 cups and after finishing the churning of the vanilla one, I refroze the ice cream maker for a while and then made this Cherry Chocolate Chip Pecan Fro Yo.

I added about 1/2 cup fresh sweet cherries, pits removed and chopped, then mashed with 1 tablespoon sugar, a couple tablespoons toasted, chopped pecans and about 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips.  While I don't really care for fruit in my ice cream, this was pretty darn good.  The boys ate it up!

I have made  a couple other ice creams as well and am really having fun with it.  The heat and humidity continues outside and I continue to find these to do without the oven.  The boys have continued to make forts all over the house with as many blankets as they can find.

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Lunch in the fort.

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A couple of shots of my beautiful roses Kevin gave me for our anniversary.

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27 comments:

Stacy Hoover said...

That ice cream looks delicious! What type of ice cream maker do you have? I'm thinking about buying one this weekend!!!

Becky said...

Chocolate Heaven, that's where you've taken me. I'll have to share my favorite chocolate ice cream recipe soon, it's creamy and to die for also, but that Ganache one, oh mercy!!

noble pig said...

The ice cream and the fort..seriously awesome!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I really love ice cream and thought of buying an ice cream maker last summer..It's the rainy season now and I haven't bought one. Your ice cream looks really creamy and delicious..

Leslie said...

oh my...you were on a ice cream kick....soooooooooooooo yummy yet so dangerous!
the fort looks just like the ones thrown together at my house.

Teanna said...

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the no cook vanilla ice cream!!! LOVE IT! And that chocolate ice cream?! WOW WOW WOW.

Eliana said...

Just the thing to beat the summer heat that is coming our way. Great job Katrina!

TeaLady said...

Girl - you HAVE been enjoying your new toy. Those ice creams look luscious. I have to try the chocolate.

Your living room looks like mine used to when my two were small. Aren't they fun??

Deb said...

That ice cream really does look DELICIOUS and your roses look BEEutiful!

Lisa Ernst said...

That chocolate ice cream looks like frozen custard -- really enticing. You've inspired me to break out my Cuisinart ice cream maker again. I just had some Greek yogurt (from Trader Joe's) that's super creamy and rich and doesn't have that strong taste that most brands have. I want to try it as a base for frozen yogurt. I'm thinking (hoping) it will seem really rich even though its fat free.

Maria said...

They both look good! So creamy and delish!

Anonymous said...

Your ice creams looks great! Perfect for summer.

Flourchild said...

We had a lot in common with are most recent posts..flowers and ice ream! You are putting your ice cream maker to great use..it all looks so yummy and refreshing! I remember the days my kids used to make tents..it was so fun to watch them entertain themselves for hours! Now there 11, 15 and 16 and way over the tent stadge!

Megan said...

Wow - you've kept that ice cream maker hopping! Love the cherry fro yo - mmmmmm.

I mean, they all look good - and I won't even DARE to make the chocolate ganache ice cream.... because I'd eat the whole thing.

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Your kids are hilarious! So I see you're having fun with the ice creams!!! Be careful, you'll be addicted! Or maybe you are already, ahahah! They all look delicious. Can you believe I'm not a fan of chocolate ice cream? Strange I know... The 2nd fro yo looks divine!

Anonymous said...

Oh my! That first photo looks good enough to dive into!!!
I'm also wondering about what kind of ice cream maker you have? Please don't answer on my blog, because my DH might read it. I'm thinking about getting him one for his b'day.
Feel free to go check out the no bake raspberry pie though!
Oh! And the fro yo with the cherries in it looks so good to me! I love cherries and chocolate!
The boys look like they're beating the heat inside of their forts! Good for them!

vibi said...

Oh! Yeahhh... exactly what I was looking for: great classic ice cream recipes, I'm seriously stealing the chocolate one! Thanks for sharing!s

Melody said...

Looks like I hit the jackpot! I just bought a ice cream maker at a yard sale for $2. It looks brand new and I can't wait to try it. I'm making both of these! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Oooh that is one good looking ice cream!! You're really using the ice-cream maker, for all its worth :) :)
Love the pics of the roses

Unknown said...

The ice cream does look good but I, honestly, think the yogurt looks even better! We used to have picnics in the den when I was little. It was so much fun...and helps beat the heat!

Cate O'Malley said...

Oh that so makes me want to get an ice cream maker! Love the forts - my son is in the stage too ... is it over yet?

Pamela said...

Well...that ice cream stopped me in my tracks. The chocolate looks INCREDIBLE!! Looks like the boys are having some serious fun and it reminds me to break out the blankets!

Anonymous said...

I'm a vanilla gal, but that chocolate ice cream looks decadent and I would scarf that - along with all the other frozen treats! What a great idea for a bunch boys living in a 'tent' lol

Maris said...

Your boys sure are lucky to have you making homemade ice cream! I love ice cream but i've never made it myself.

Unknown said...

Both of your ice cream treats look so good! I've been making a lot of ice cream lately too. Love the pictures of the kids in the forts!

Megan said...

I love all the flavors but that chocolate ice cream looks to die for. Perfect for these HOT summer days. Love the boys fort. brings back the memories!

Judy said...

Happy anniversary! Theice creams look wonderful, especially the chocolate. Wish I had an ice cream maker.