Sunday, August 26, 2007

Espresso Ice Cream

We're only a few days away from Labor Day and a visit from my favorite sister and her hubby. No multi-course wine dinner for them this trip (sorry guys), but I thought I would prepare a few homemade treats - the first being Espresso Ice Cream. This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite chefs from the Food Network, Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa).



Espresso Ice Cream
Makes 1 quart

Click Here for Printable Recipe

3 cups half-and-half
6 extra-large egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 1/2 tablespoons ground espresso coffee beans
(Be sure you use finely ground espresso beans, not instant espresso)
1 tablespoon Kahlua liqueur
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 Heat the half-and-half until it forms bubbles around the edge of the pan and steam starts to rise. Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks, sugar, and salt until mixed. Slowly add the hot half-and-half until combined. Wipe out the pan and pour the mixture back into the clean pan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for 5 to 10 minutes, until it's thickened and the cream coats the back of the spoon.



2 Pour the cream through a fine-meshed sieve into a bowl. Add the ground espresso beans, Kahlua, and vanilla and refrigerate until completely chilled.

3 Pour the espresso cream into an ice-cream freezer and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Spoon into a container, and allow to freeze for a few hours. Soften slightly before serving.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Note to Self:
Before ordering another "italian sub" in South Carolina, please read the menu carefully to make sure this one does not include bologna.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

San Diego & Las Vegas Vacation

As many of you know, food usually plays a large part of our vacation plans. Here is a SMALL taste of our week in San Diego and Vegas....

What a better way to start a vacation than finding a slice of NY style pizza. Two thumbs up to Ciro's Pizzeria! (534 Market Street, San Diego)



Soleil @ K, San Diego Marriot







to end the meal, each table is given cotton candy


Vegas Baby

In Room Snacks at the Wynn



The waiter at the Taqueria CaƱonita in the Venitian hotel saw my camera on the table and asked if we wanted him to take our photo - umm, thanks, I think



Terrace Point Cafe, Wynn Casino


I love this photo. I had just ordered a watermelon margarita and dad was telling us a hysterical story about a group of friends, a blender, and the consequences of letting Rebecca and Ed concoct the drinks :)



We were comp'd two free buffets at the Wynn, so we decided to take advantage. We aren't usually buffet people, but it was clean and beautiful.



At the Vegas airport. We didn't buy anything here, but it struck me funny for some reason

Saturday, August 18, 2007

We're Back!

After a few weeks of computer issues, I think we are back up and running! Did you miss us?

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

technical difficulties

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties ... we got back from vacation and had our computer crash. More posts to come once it is back from the pc shop!