Grape Nut Ice Cream

Every winter we travel somewhere warm with our friends Ted and Betsy.

I love vacationing with my kids, and we do that a couple of times through the year, but this vacation is one I look forward to because it really is relaxing!!

I don't cook, we drink fruity frozen drinks with umbrellas in them, and never care what time it is!!

We have been to Jamaica a couple of times, and this past January we went there again.

For dessert one night we had this ice cream, and we couldn't for the life of us figure out what was in it, but we all loved it!!

We asked one of the servers, and they said "Grape Nuts, Mon"

Margaritaville in Montego Bay

I knew I ad to try to make it this summer!!

This past weekend, I did!!

and IT WAS!!

It won't keep me from visiting Jamaica again, but it sure was nice to get a taste of it throughout year!

Grape Nut Ice Cream

epicurious.com

6 large egg yolks

2/3 cup sugar

3 cups cream

1 cup grape nut cereal

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

In a metal bowl whip egg yolks and sugar until fluffy.

In a metal bowl over a pan of boiling water on the stove (or use your double boiler) warm 2 cups of cream.

Add warm cream in a slow stream to egg mixture, whisking constantly. This is the custard.

Set the custard mixture in a metal bowl over boiling water (or use double boiler)

Stir custard with a wooden spoon constantly, until thermometer reaches 170 degrees.

Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining cup of cream, place in the refrigerator to cool for about an hour.

When custard is cool, add vanilla and grape nuts and pour into your ice cream maker.

Freeze according to your maker's instructions.

You can eat while it is soft, or freeze it until its firmer.

Pineapple Dole Whip - Homemade Pineapple Ice Cream

A while back I had a little virtual birthday party on my facebook page, so many good things were shared!

I have been trying to make some of my favorites, and this was on my "short list."

Our Little Family Adventure shared this recipe for the Disney Dole Whips that week, and being the HUGE pineapple lover that I am, I knew I had to make it!!

I have never had the Disney version, but I am here to tell ya, her version is THE BOMB.  

One note she gave was to make this into an adult cocktail by scooping it into a glass, pouring a little pineapple juice and Captain Morgan over the top.  

That is NEXT on the list!!

Here's how to make it!!

Grab your ice cream makers...let's go!

Pineapple Dole Whip - Homemade Pineapple Ice Cream

via - Our Little Family Adventure

1 quart of Pineapple Juice

3 cups cream

3 cups milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla

2 1/2 cups sugar

Pour everything into your ice cream maker, give it a stir and turn it on!

Make according to the manufacturer's instructions, Mine shuts off all by itself when it's done! :)

It was amazing, and the best part....it makes a lot! Most ice cream recipes aren't enough for my whole family to get to have more than a smidgen... this makes the whole canister full!

Thanks, Nicky!! This is a new family favorite at our house!!

Bruschetta Chicken/Homemade Bruschetta Tomatoes

How many times a week do you eat chicken?

I make it about 2-4 times per week for dinner, so I am always looking for a way to jazz it up!

I love making Caprese Tomatoes and Bruschetta, and I thought, what a great summer treat to top those fresh chilled tomatoes on a grilled chicken breast!  This particular night we had with some steamed rice, but my favorite way is to lay it on a bed of pasta.

I make my bruschetta almost the same way as my Caprese, so sometimes when I do the Caprese, I make both!
That way I am not wasting the "ends" of the tomatoes that don't make quite as pretty of a presentation on the plate. I add in a few more tomatoes and use virtually the same ingredients, and "ta-da!"
Makes a great take-along to a party with a crusty loaf of bread.

Here are my Caprese Tomatoes

Bruschetta Tomatoes

2 cups ripe tomatoes diced

1/2 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Garlic Tomato and Basil 

Sprinkle of Sea Salt

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

2 Tablespoons fresh basil chopped coarsely

I have also made this without the fresh basil when I didn't have it on hand, that Mrs. Dash gives the tomatoes a great flavor!

Combine ingredients and chill in the refrigerator for about 2-4 hours.

Top your chicken, you bread, or even top pasta for a cool summer dinner.

Citrus Basil Martini

I posted this picture earlier this year, and I wanted to make sure that I got you the recipe.  

They were so yummy!!

I have to admit, when I was infusing the vodka with basil, I thought, this could be a little weird?

I have had a lemon basil martini before at a local restaurant, but I was going to make these with tangerines and lemons.

Turns out, it was FABULOUS!!

I found the recipe for the Meyer- lemon basil martinis on a site called bitesandsights.com what a beautiful page!! Give it a look sometime!

First off you need to infuse some vodka!

basil infused vodka

Basil Infused Vodka

jar

 3-4 dozen fresh basil leaves, rinsed (stems and leaves)

vodka

Place basil leaves in the bottom of the jar, and pour vodka over the top, filling jar about 4/5.

I used a big jar, so I used more basil, and more vodka, I had a party of eight was making cocktails for.

Use a small jelly jar and less vodka and basil if you want to make just a couple.

Place jar in refrigerator for about 6-8 hours.  If left too long, the flavor gets a too overpowering.

When you are ready to use, remove leaves, and strain the vodka into another jar or a bottle.

While your basil is infusing, how about candying some of that citrus to garnish your drinks?

Or just to eat??

candied lemons and clementines

Candied Lemons and Clementines

2 of each - lemons and clementines, sliced about 1/4 inch thick

4 cups of water

4 cups of sugar

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a heavy saucepan.

When it becomes bubbly, reduce the heat to medium and add the fruit slices.

Boil with the fruit slices for about 30 minutes.  The rinds will become slightly translucent looking.

Remove and place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

I dusted mine with sugar after they had cooled some.

Reserve the liquid, you just made your citrus simple syrup!! ;)

I think they are so pretty!!

citrus basil martini

Citrus Basil Martini

4 oz Citrus simple syrup 

1/3 cup fresh citrus juice from lemons and clementines

4 ounces of basil infused vodka

ice

Juice your clementines and lemons, it will take about 1-2 of each depending on size of fruit.

Pour the above over ice in a martini shaker, shake and pour into a martini glass.  Float a candied slice in the glass, and enjoy!!

You can also garnish with a basil leaf if desired.

The fruit not only makes a pretty garnish, it's delicious!

Lemon Whippersnappers

Talk about a cookie that's sweet in more ways than one!! 

Not only are these lemony cookies covered in powdered sugar, 

they are sweet to make!

Only 4 ingredients and one of them is a cake mix!

I made these about a million years ago for a Christmas Cookie exchange when I was looking for something different to bring.

I tucked the recipe away and ran across it again not too long ago and decided to WHIP-ersnapper some right up!!

They are soft and sweet... I hope you enjoy them!! 

Lemon Whippersnappers

1 box of lemon cake mix (don't use the kind with the pudding)

1 egg

2 cups of Cool Whip

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together cake mix, whipped topping and egg.

Spoon Tablespoon sized portions of dough, and roll into a ball.

Roll in powdered sugar and place on a GREASED cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Caprese - Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Basil

This is one of my favorite things to have!! 

It's a perfect blend of yumminess, with the fresh basil and mozzarella cheese, plus ripe red tomatoes.... 

my mouth is watering while I type!

Not only is it delicious, it's just so darn pretty!

I made this for a party my friend, Gerry, had last week, she said everyone loved it.

Usually, this would be one of those things to make in the summer when the tomatoes are nice and fresh, but I have found these Campari tomatoes at Costco, and they are perfect year 'round, even in Nebraska!! ;)

I have shared my recipe how I made the plate pictured here, but  I have "cheated" when I had a craving for these and didn't have the cheese or the fresh basil, using only the other ingredients, and it tastes just as good...

just not quite as pretty.

Caprese 

Tomatoes with Mozzarella and Basil

2 pounds Capari tomatoes, sliced (or other small ripe tomato, Roma works good too!)

2 Tablespoons of olive oil

2 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic

fresh basil leaves

8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese

Layer the tomatoes and cheese and basil, as seen in the photo.
Combine vinegar and oil together. Set aside.
Shake the Mrs. Dash over the top, then drizzle with the olive oil/balsamic vinegar.
Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.  I usually make this in the morning, and let the flavors marry all day.

Serve with warm crusty baguette bread.

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Shortcake Trifle

Looking for a super easy but super festive dessert for your 4th of July party this year? 

Or maybe just a fun dessert to share with the kiddos?

Try tinting your angel food cake as it whips, and layer in in a trifle dish to make this red, white and blue beauty!!

I made it pink last week for a party and it was gorgeous!! Since colors are pretty much endless...

So are your possibilities!!

Change up the cake color, the fruit... just have fun!!

What can you come up with?

Happy Independence Day!!