September 8, 2013

We all scream for ice cream!

Over the summer I have experimented with homemade ice cream. Here is my current favorite from the Williams-Sonoma Kitchen:

Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients:

3 cups half-and-half (or 1 1/2 cups cream and 1 1/2 cups whole milk)

6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)

5 egg yolks (I used 4)

1 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the half-and-half until bubbles form around the edges of the pan. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate and stir until smooth and blended.
In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and salt until blended. Slowly add the chocolate cream, whisking constantly until fully incorporated.

Pour the mixture into the top pan of a double boiler. Set the pan over but not touching simmering water in the bottom pan. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until a finger drawn across the back of the spoon leaves a path, 10 to 12 minutes; do not allow the custard to boil. Pour the custard through a fine-mesh sieve set over a clean bowl and stir in the vanilla. Nestle the bowl in a larger one filled halfway with ice and water. Cool the custard, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
(So, ice don't have an ice maker or ice cube trays. Instead I make this in the evening and once the custard is finished cooking I put it in a container and refrigerate it over night. It takes all of 15-20 minutes to thicken in the ice cream maker the next morning.)
Transfer the custard to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover and freeze until firm, 3 to 4 hours, before serving. Makes about 1 quart.
 
I know, I know, it's a bit of a process, but I PROMISE it is totally worth it! So dust off your ice cream maker and make some ice cream!
 

September 1, 2013

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Adapted from Notes from My Food Diary

2 large eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
1/3 cup cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups shredded, unpeeled zucchini, gently pressed on a colander over a bowl or sink to release some of its moisture
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips, save the 1/4 cup for sprinkling on top of bread

Preheat the oven to 350°F; lightly grease an 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, honey, oil, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the salt, baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, cocoa, and flour, mixing until well combined. Stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Scatter the reserved 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top of the batter.
Bake the bread for 65 to 75 minutes, until the loaf tests done (a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center will come out clean, save for perhaps a light smear of chocolate from the melted chips).
Remove the bread from the oven, and let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before turning it out of the pan onto a rack.  Cool completely before slicing; store well-wrapped, at room temperature.

Super moist and super chocolaty. The perfect recipe for the massive (seriously like 14" long) zucchini I found in my garden today :)