Food and cooking

FOOD: Why must I love it so?

Ugh, I will always be the girl with the thought of my next meal....yummy concoctions of all types... I have always loved to cook- even as a child I remember being thrilled to watch others cook. I have taken classes and read cook books and since E was born, watched a LOT of food network!

Even as I write this I am thinking of my homemade coconut ice cream with toasted almonds and cocolate chips!

(I am short on time tonight, but will try to add pictures and recipes of these fabulous concoctions)

For now let me describe the experience behind the ice cream!. I used to eat a similiar ice cream from Ben and Jerry....and have been craving it...and can't find it in the store, so-I got a Rival Electric Ice cream maker for $20 at Walmart- I can hear ya'll groan...I know I really have sunk to new levels- but I was desperate for the above ice cream and we have been on a STATE Induced Pay Cut (Thanks Arnie- I liked you better in Conan- and that ain't saying so much!) and I took the chance.

I bought the heavy cream, the cream of coconut and almonds. That equaled about $9.50 I had the chocolate chips at home ( I used the minis but you could use regualar size too!)

(So far that almost $30 for 2 quarts of ice cream!)

I also bought a chocolate mix to test the machine.....

This ice cream maker does not make ice cream, it churns about and makes it shake consistency...the ice cream freezes in the frezer but then you have to WAIT! Um whatever happened to instant gratification, Rival? ever heard of THAT?

I was so bummed.

I could not be more foolish! I thought about returning the machine. But THE CALL of one of my favorite treats said try the machine (Plus I had bought the ingredients and knew if I returned the machine, I would not get a chance to have my ice cream- AGAIN) So I froze the element for 3 days and still....-MUSH! I put the coconut mush in the freezer and crossed my fingers and this afternoon-NIRVANA!

YUMMY ICE CREAM JUST LIKE B&J MAKE! My parent in laws said that I should market it it was gourmet and I told them I stole the concept from the two famous boys from up north!

It is good! mmmmm, rich creamy, I love it, I just ate a bowl as I typed this....

And I am proud that this is mine, I made it, I waited, and it has very few ingredients!
I am keeping the machine I found another ice cream recipe and I have decided putting it in the freezer overnight after it churns only makes the ice cream taste better! The joy of creating...food , yummy food. Whats your food nirvana? Aren't you proud of your ability to make something luscious and as it melts deliciously in your mouth, you realize, the simple things are the most joyous!

Heres my recipe :



RUTH'S COPYCAT COCONUT CHOCOLATE ALMOND CHUNK ICE CREAM


1 (14 ounce) can cream of coconut (FOUND IN ALCOHOL SECTION-NO COCONUT MILK!!!!)
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut (optional) OFF COURSE I ADDED

MIX AND ADD TO YOUR MACHINE GO BY THE MACHINE INSTRUCTION S ON HOW LONG TO FREEZE

THEN WHEN ALMOST DONE ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE: ADD :

1 CUP TOASTED ALMOND SLICES AND

2 CUPS OF MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS