Monday, December 5, 2011

over the weekend.....

Who invented the weekend?
I want to kiss them.
Although I do wish they would have made them a little bit longer....

We listened to Christmas music.
Read Christmas stories.
Christmas. Christmas.  Christmas.
We decorated the house.
-tiny trees
-Christmas village
-nativity
......um, whoops, still working on getting the tree.

Sister was here to visit!
oh we love our silly little cousin.
We all bundled up and rode the train to see the lights at Temple Square.......so so pretty.
please! go if you can.
feettemplesquare
We feasted on roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and our very favorite broccoli dish.
And last but not least.....we ate ice cream!
Christmasy ice cream of course.
peppermint icecream copy
Candy Cane Ice Cream
recipe adapted from simply recipes
all I changed was switching out the whole milk for half and half (that's what I happened to have) and adding a bit of vanilla extract. 
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 half and half
8 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup crushed candy canes or hard peppermint candy
METHOD
-Warm the milk, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Make sure the sugar and salt completely dissolve.
-Pour the cream into a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and set a medium-mesh sieve on top.
-In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan.
-Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden or heatproof rubber spatula, scraping the bottom as you stir, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula, about 5-7 minutes.
-Pour the custard through the strainer and stir it into the cream. Then stir until cool over the ice bath. Chill mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.
-Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, add peppermint extract, a 1/4 teaspoon at a time, tasting the mixture after each addition, until you reach the desired level of peppermintiness. (Different peppermint extracts vary in strength.)

Once chilled, freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once the ice cream has been formed in the ice cream maker, it will be fairly soft. Fold in the crushed peppermint candy. Put in an airtight plastic container and place in the freezer for at least an hour, preferably several hours. If it has been frozen for more than a day, you may need to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften it before serving.

Scoop this on top of piping hot brownies (these ones, minus the cinnamon) and your mouth will explode (this is a good thing)

How was your weekend?

15 comments:

whitneyingram said...

How was my weekend? Sucky. I helped cook for 400 people with my husband. I also whipped 6 quarts of whipped cream. Blah. I need a weekend redo.

Bethypie said...

What is that coat you are wearing? I love that furry hood! :)

gram said...

.. I'm really looking forward to that ice cream the next time you come home!... love the pics of all my kids... (smile)

Unknown said...

I am so with you on the weekend front. We need it to be made a bit longer. And a Christmassy weekend is almost too good. Glad you had a lovely one!

Ang said...

i'm sure you've heard this am million times over but your little ones are like mini-you's (so cute)! ...and I agree - weekends are wonderful, if for nothing else than getting to spend time with the other half. we have twins on the way and today is my first official day home for my leave - it's not even lunchtime and I already miss having him around!

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel said...

My husband has been going crazy over peppermint ice cream since it's been available at the store again. I'll have to give this recipe a try!! Thanks so much. :)

Unknown said...

i need a weekend redo myself, got mastitis while home alone with a 2 year old and newborn. tmi, enough said? yes.

did i mention my husband was visiting salt lake enjoying the lights friday night too?? im a little too jealous of you both!

Unknown said...

forgot to mention how i just want to pinch your kids cute faces, and your daughter with those oversized gloves-somehow that is just daaarling!

Rachael said...

Pretty tree!
Love all your 'Christmas' activities you did this past weekend!
I still need to get my tree too! And lights, decorations, etc. I feel so behind!
Love your furry coat! So cute.

jen fuller said...

we went to see the lights the first weekend they were on and it was worth being freezing cold!

jenny said...

These pics are pretty cute! I'm going to have to try that ice cream...

Anonymous said...

This ice cream looks amazing. I've been searching for an excuse to make ice cream during this freezing cold winter, and I think I've found the perfect flavor now! Thanks for sharing!

Mrs. P Vega said...

not sure how I came across your blog but I'm sure happy I did! It's super adorable and I plan on using your recipe for candy cane ice cream tonight!

Jaime Naftel said...

Do you know how to make icecream without using an icecream maker?

RentKids said...

I would weep tears of joy if a bowl of this were in front of me!