I feel an overwhelming need to confess something to you. There’s this “thing” that’s weighing heavily on my mind, especially on Fridays and I can’t escape the fact that it’s preoccupying my thoughts. So, I must share this “thing” with someone. And who better to share it with than those of you who visit me, here at Degrees of Maternity? Please don’t judge me too harshly. After all, I’m putting myself out there for the world to see. Frankly, I’m hoping that, once I confess to you, I’ll feel like I owned up to what I should have revealed a long, long time ago. So, here it is . . .
I have previously admitted that my huge cooking day in my household lands on every Friday. I practically spend a full-time work day cooking, but the result is a big-time meal that feeds a family of five from Friday night through Sunday night. I love how all the energy that is expended on Friday creates a more leisurely weekend (at least on the cooking front, that is). Anyway, these weekend meals always come with a scrumptious dessert sure to please all the individual taste buds in the family. While these desserts change from week-to-week, as do the main courses and sides, there is one vital part of the dessert ensemble that remains the same each week . . . it’s the ice cream.
I confess, okay! My family and I are ice cream addicts. We don’t delve into the exotic stuff. We just keep it plain and simple . . . consuming chocolate, banana, and strawberry flavors once in a while. But, our tried-and-true mainstay is smooth vanilla. There’s nothing like an old-fashioned vanilla fix. So, there you have it. My family and I eat vanilla ice cream pretty much every week with our weekend feast. This is not the worse thing we could do, is it? After all, we do deny ourselves ice cream on the week days. Wow. I totally feel 90% better now that I have all this off of my chest. However, if I want to have a 100% guilt-free conscious, I’ve got to come clean and do this confession justice.
In cleaning the slate, I admit that I’m the one who keeps the addictive treat going in my household. Yes, it’s me. I make this irresistible vanilla ice cream every week. But in my own defense, it is homemade, after all. And I do try to use more natural ingredients. As a matter of fact, my version of ice cream is highly likely to be easier on the body than the store-bought varieties (laden with artificial stuff). By combining five ingredients (1 1/2 quarts of organic half & half, 1/2 pint of organic heavy whipping cream, a pinch of Himalayan pink salt, 4 tsp. of pure vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups of sugar) from a recipe found online but slightly tweaked for my family’s purposes, I get a creamy concoction that keeps its admirers coming back for more. After combining the five ingredients in a large mixing bowl, I have a liquid mixture that is the perfect consistency and amount to pour into the freezer bowl of my Cuisinart 2 qt. Frozen Yogurt-Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker. I set the ice cream maker to mix for about 25 minutes; and then, the soft serve is placed in a freezer-safe container in the freezer. My admission to this appliance usage is what I’d like to call the “Kitchen Countertop” part of my confession.
It’s amazing to witness how this Cuisinart ice cream maker is the absolute easiest thing to use, while making such a deliciously-refreshing treat. I’ve had my ice cream maker for years . . . so long that it seems like one of my babies. It’s difficult to recall how many years it’s been placed on my kitchen countertop, obediently waiting to be of service every time. And in all the years it’s been a part of my household, I’ve never had any problems with it.
Although I’m making an almost summertime confession, my family and I have been on this ice cream bandwagon every weekend for practically the whole year to-date. But what is my actual wrong-doing here? Should my household be judged for craving and consuming a healthier ice cream (with the exception of the white sugar, of course)? And in time, I’m sure I’ll opt for an even healthier ice cream option by experimenting with natural sweeteners like honey and agave or sugars like turbinado (less processing than white sugar) as substitutes for the white sugar. Wait a minute! Now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I shouldn’t be too hard on myself. As long as the addiction is a healthy one, I think I can be at peace. My family is eating a quality vanilla ice cream that’s being efficiently processed by my handy dandy Cuisinart appliance. Looks like a win-win situation to me. Guess there was no need for me to confess after all. Vanilla ice cream is a perfect, summertime treat that is surely hard to beat.
NOTE: you fathers, that love being dads and that work hard to uphold your important role within the family, deserve a “thank you” for all you do and for the strong example you set for the individuals that rely on you the most. Have a most blessed and memorable day. You deserve it.
Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2Qt Frozen Yogurt – Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker
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