Summertime Treats

Sure summer is hot, but we've got some great recipes to help you keep your cool during the hottest dog days of summer! Try some of these recipes for making fantastic desserts with ice cream, along with some ideas for fruit smoothies and sorbets. Then just kick back and relax beneath a big shade tree and beat the heat with a cool treat.

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Ice cream is the coldest dairy treat of all. It was first made by the Chinese more than 2,000 years ago.
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Cream is separated from non-homogenized whole milk. The richer the cream used in the recipe, the more luxuriously delicious the ice cream.
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Peppermint Ice Cream Dessert
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C

Preparation:

Grind candy into a coarse powder in a food processor or blender (figure A). Layer the bottom of a 9- by-13-inch pan with an even layer of chocolate wafers (figure B) and spread half of the ice cream over the cookie layer. Sprinkle processed candy over ice cream (figure C). Repeat for a second layer and return to freezer. When ready to serve, cut into squares. Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup, if desired.

Mocha Cream Icebox Pie

Sandy Poletta, owner of Edgewood Bakery, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, offers up this tasty energy dessert.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup strong coffee, espresso, or coffee liqueur
1 half-gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
2 chocolate premade cookie crusts
whipped topping
liquid chocolate topping

Preparation:

Blend strong coffee with softened ice cream. Divide ice-cream mixture into two premade cookie crusts. Top with whipped topping, cover with plastic lid and pop into the freezer. When guests arrive, cut out a wedge and drizzle with liquid chocolate topping.

Cinnamon Ice Cream

This fabulous treat makes a great accompaniment to a side of baked apples or a slice of hot apple pie drizzled with caramel sauce.

Ingredients:

1 Tbs. ground cinnamon or to taste
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

Preparation:

Combine cinnamon and vanilla to make a concentrated paste. Stir into ice cream until well blended. Return to freezer.

Coffee Ice Cream

Ingredients:

2 Tbs. espresso granules
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 gallon softened vanilla ice cream

Preparation:

Combine espresso and vanilla to make a concentrated paste. Stir into ice cream until well blended, and return to freezer. Make an iced-coffee float by pouring strong coffee into an ice-filled glass, nearly all the way to the top. Sweeten to taste, top with coffee ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce (figure D).

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Use cinnamon ice cream to make a delicious parfait. Layer ice cream with baked apples and drizzle with caramel sauce.
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Figure D
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Ice Cream Wrapwiches
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Figure E
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Figure F
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Figure G

Preparation:

Place the tortillas in the microwave for five to seven seconds to soften them a bit. Divide the caramel sauce among the tortillas and spread evenly over each tortilla (figure E), leaving at least a one-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle with toffee (figure F). Divide the ice cream among the tortillas and wrap (figure G), then sprinkle a bit more toffee on top (figure H).

* Chef's Note: Try making a paper cone to hold the wrapwich and make it easier to eat and enjoy. Just take a triangle-shaped piece of parchment paper and roll it into a cone (figure I).

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Figure H
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Figure I
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It's almost smoothie time! Check out some great smoothie recipes below.
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Figure J
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Figure K
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Figure L

Preparation:

Fill the gallon-sized plastic zip bag half full with ice. Add rock salt and seal (figure J). Pour sugar, milk or half-and-half and vanilla into the pint-sized bag and seal (figure K).

Place the smaller bag inside the larger one, then zip and seal. Shake it for five to seven minutes (figure L), open the small bag and enjoy.

Fruit Smoothies and Sorbets

From healthy low-cal treats to creamy chocolate delights, check out the recipes below to find a fruity taste that suits your mood and diet.

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Boysenberries are large, thumb-sized berries that are ready to pick when they turn a deep purplish color. They're great right off the vine, or in jams and other desserts.
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Add fresh boysenberries to the blender last.
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Blend well for a fresh berry smoothie!

Boysenberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup ice
2 cups boysenberry yogurt
1/3 cup apple juice
2 cups fresh or frozen boysenberries

Preparation:

In a blender, add all ingredients and pulse. Pour evenly into two glasses, and serve.

Watermelon Sorbet

Ingredients:

2 cups watermelon (red or golden variety), seeds removed
2 cups crushed ice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. fresh lime juice

Preparation:

Place all ingredients in the blender for processing. Transfer blended mixture into an ice-cream maker and churn for about 15 minutes. Pour into decorative glasses.

Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup pineapple
1 cup bananas
1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
ginger and nutmeg to taste

Preparation:

Blend together all ingredients adding additional ice if desired. Since the mixture uses frozen strawberries, additional ice may not be necessary. Garnish with the fruit of your choice.

Berry Wakeup Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup berry nonfat yogurt
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 Tbs. almond butter

Preparation:

Blend all ingredients well.

* Health tip: Adding almond or any other nut butter will help prevent low blood sugar that sometimes occurs during a hot afternoon.

Strawberry Smoothie

This smoothie is great for sore throats!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup nonfat or soy milk
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup vanilla low -fat frozen yogurt
Honey to taste

Preparation:

Add all ingredients to blender and mix well.

"Just Dew It" Smoothie

Ingredients:

honeydew melon, sliced
1/3 cup lemon-lime soda
pinch of salt (accentuates the sweetness of the melon)
juice from half a lime*
fresh mint (a few sprigs)
ice (no frozen fruit in this recipe)

* Tip: To get more juice from the lime, use a fork.

Preparation:

Blend, garnish with a few sprigs of mint and serve.

Afternoon Chocolate "De-lite" Smoothie

This recipe makes a great alternative to a chocolate shake, and it's an easy way to introduce tofu to children.

Ingredients:

1 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup well-chilled silken tofu
3 Tbs. cocoa powder
1 tsp. flaxseed powder (available at health-food store)

Preparation:

Blend all ingredients well.

Smoothie a la King

This smoothie is fit for a king. The king of rock-and-roll, that is! Elvis Presley's love of peanut butter and banana concoctions inspired the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 fresh frozen bananas
3/4 cup nonfat milk
3/4 cup nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter

Preparation:

Just blend and serve, and wait for a whole lotta compliments!

Smoothie Classico

Ingredients:

2 fresh frozen bananas
1 cup quartered fresh frozen strawberries
1 cup fresh orange juice

Preparation:

Blend, garnish with a strawberry and serve.

Peachy Keen Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup low-fat peach yogurt
3/4 cup peach nectar
1/2 cup fresh frozen raspberries
1-1/2 cups diced frozen peaches

Preparation:

Blend, garnish with a strawberry and serve.

Strawberry and Soy Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup soy milk
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt
honey to taste

Preparation:

Blend well and enjoy.

Chocolate Sorbet

Ingredients:

7 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Preparation:

Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Boil down the sugar and water to a smooth consistency. In a glass bowl, combine the melted chocolate and the sugar syrup. If the mixture is too thin, it can be returned to the stove and heated down.

The sorbet can be prepared in an ice-cream machine or by using the freezer method if an ice-cream maker is not available. Just pour the mixture into a bowl, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and leave in the freezer overnight. Blend in a food processor the next day, return to the freezer for an hour and the sorbet is done.

Strawberry Sorbet

Ingredients:

equal parts sugar and water (simple syrup)
2 cups strawberries
1/4 cup lemon juice

Preparation:

Cook down the sugar and water until it reaches a maple-syrup consistency and is easy to stir. In a separate pot, heat the strawberries and lemon juice until partially cooked (do not bring to a boil). Pour strawberries into a food processor and blend well. Remove berries from processor and pour through a fine sieve or cheesecloth.

Pour berries and one-half cup of the simple syrup in an ice-cream maker and run for 15 to 20 minutes.

Resources
Smoothies for Life! Yummy, Fun, and Nutritious!
by Daniella Chace and Maureen B. Keane (ISBN: 076151340X)
Prima Publishing, 1998
Order this
title.

Random House, Inc.
Website: www.randomhouse.com

The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions 2: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions
by John E. Thomas, Danita Pagel Thomas
Kid Concoctions Company, 2000
Order this title from Amazon.com.

The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions: More Than 65 Wacky, Wild & Crazy Concoctions
by John E. Thomas, Danita Pagel Thomas
Kid Concoctions Company, 1998
Order this title from Amazon.com.
Guests
John E. Thomas
Kids' Crafts Expert / Video Producer / Author / Co-Owner, Kid Concoctions Company
Website: www.kidconcoctions.com

Rob Chalmers
Chef, Lucques Restaurant
8474 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: 323-655-6277
E-mail: lucques@earthlink.net
Website: www.lucques.com

Sara Corpening
Chef / Co-author / Restaurant Owner, Thymes Two
3016 Sacramento St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Phone: 415-921-1673

Mary Corpening Barber
Chef and Food Artist, Thymes Two
San Francisco, CA
Phone: 415-386-8580
E-mail: thymestwo@earthlink.net
Website: www.thymestwo.com

Michele Cooper
Spokesperson, Dairy Council of Florida
166 Lookout Point, Suite 100
Maitland, FL 32751
Phone: 407-647-8899

Sandy Poletta
Baker / Owner, Edgewood Bakery, Inc.
1022 S. Edgewood Ave.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: 904-389-8054

Dennis Stewart
Chef / Radio Host / "Mr. Natural" / Holiday Lighting Designer
1369 W. 11th St.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: 904-354-4721
Fax: 904-791-9500
E-mail: mrnatchewral@netzero.net