We Live On The Sun

It's going to get over 100 degrees in Arizona this week.  I guess we can't complain, we have been lucky the last few weeks and have enjoyed temperatures in the 80's and 90's.  When Paula comes to visit this time of year some common phrases are: "you guys live on the sun" and "how do people do it"!  While Paula is here we also need to be conscious of keeping the girl hydrated as she has a tendency to get cankles (when the calf merges with a swollen ankle). We keep a bottle of cold water or a Sonic route 44 diet coke in her hand at all times. 
In celebration of 100 degrees, I thought you might enjoy one of our favorite sweet treats that helps make our hot days of summer bearable.  We love making homemade ice cream in the summer time....and well, truth be told, we really make it year round, but this is the time it is enjoyed the most.  My husband is the master at making ice cream.  He makes a divine vanilla with strawberry, banana and almonds and the kids love any kind of chocolate candy bar broken up in either chocolate or vanilla, but I think our favorite is - 

Chocolate Mint Grasshopper  

 Chocolate Mint Grasshopper Ice Cream

(For 6 quart ice cream maker)

6 eggs

1 can evaporated milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 1/2 cups sugar

2/3 cup cocoa (he actually uses slightly less)

1 quart half and half

1 T vanilla

whole milk

grasshopper mint chocolate cookies 

Before mixing:

Chill ice cream maker canister.  

Freeze the package of cookies.  After frozen, put cookies in a ziplock bag and crush leaving some larger pieces.  

Mixing ice cream:

Beat eggs well.  In a separate bowl combine cocoa and sugar, then beat into egg mixture.   Add remaining ingredients except whole milk and cookies.  Pour mixture into chilled ice cream maker canister.  Add whole milk to just below fill line (because we are going to add the cookies later).  Freeze following manufacture instructions for your ice cream maker.  When ice cream is thick and almost done, add crushed cookies, pushing the cookies deep into the canister for a good mixture.  Continue freezing ice cream until firm.  

I have to tell you though, after years and years of making ice cream in an inexpensive ice cream freezer that you get at Walmart or Target.....It's this little guy that makes a huge difference.  It freezes the ice cream faster and harder.  It is a bit of an investment, but it's all about having the right tools isn't it?!

Speaking of Paula coming to town, she will be here next week.  

We are teaching classes in Glendale, AZ on June 11th at....

See you there!!