So. If your first thought was vodka-and-lemonade. Cool. Me too. But I have this wonderful Easy Home-made Vanilla Ice Cream with Ginger-kissed Blueberry Sauce to chat about instead. But, trust me. Fond memories will still be made; despite the lack of vodka or lemonade. In fact. Some of my very-fondest childhood memories are of those few special occasions Grandma brought out the ole wooden rock-salt-churner, added several thousand calories worth of cream, milk, sugar and just the right amount of vanilla. The creamy mixture churned, churned, churned to a perfect soft-serve texture. A quick removal of the beater and the cream-filled canister disappeared into the freezer abyss. Sometimes, we were lucky enough to be around when the churning was done and the beater was removed. Well. Let me tell you. It was nearly a fight to the finish to see whose turn it was to lick the beater clean. Dad probably would've won more if Grandma wasn't such a pushover for tears. Sob, sob, when will it ever be MY turn, Grandma? Sniff. Sniff.
Anyway, all that aside. As it turned out, there was always plenty of ice cream to go around. Yep. We swung under the shade tree with our legs dangling from the thin, crunchy seat of the Lawn Glider - always testing just how high that baby would swing before it reached its very own tipping point - licking round-and-round the dripping vanilla ice cream cone. Life just about as good as it got! It was just us kids hanging out with the folks-and-thems. The flower garden's abundant aroma filled the air! An ever-present hot summer breeze would waft-away any Camel smoke lingering from the card game going on at the patio's only table. If someone got the energy up, a game of Horseshoes or Lawn Darts would start and usually finish with only minor injuries being reported. Grandpa and Uncle Bill would let go of a few seasoned swear words or swear phrases, whichever the occasion merited. There was little we kids could do to get in trouble. Bees were buzzing. Birds were chirping. Our mosquito bitten ankles and shoulders were West Nile free. Yep, good times!
So go-ahead. Get out the ice cream maker you bought last summer that you just HAD TO HAVE, but have yet to release from the confines of its pretty box. Big sigh. Gather the children (if you have them - otherwise don't), and get ready to make summertime memories to last a lifetime. Or, until at least next summer!
Anyway, all that aside. As it turned out, there was always plenty of ice cream to go around. Yep. We swung under the shade tree with our legs dangling from the thin, crunchy seat of the Lawn Glider - always testing just how high that baby would swing before it reached its very own tipping point - licking round-and-round the dripping vanilla ice cream cone. Life just about as good as it got! It was just us kids hanging out with the folks-and-thems. The flower garden's abundant aroma filled the air! An ever-present hot summer breeze would waft-away any Camel smoke lingering from the card game going on at the patio's only table. If someone got the energy up, a game of Horseshoes or Lawn Darts would start and usually finish with only minor injuries being reported. Grandpa and Uncle Bill would let go of a few seasoned swear words or swear phrases, whichever the occasion merited. There was little we kids could do to get in trouble. Bees were buzzing. Birds were chirping. Our mosquito bitten ankles and shoulders were West Nile free. Yep, good times!So go-ahead. Get out the ice cream maker you bought last summer that you just HAD TO HAVE, but have yet to release from the confines of its pretty box. Big sigh. Gather the children (if you have them - otherwise don't), and get ready to make summertime memories to last a lifetime. Or, until at least next summer!
Easy Home-made Vanilla Ice Cream served straight up on a cone is always a hit with a crowd of any age. But, if you're having the grown-up-folks-and-them over for a summer evening gathering, treat them to this delightful dessert. After all. It is National Ice Cream Month and since blueberries are at their abundant blueberry-best right now - it's National Blueberry Month, too!
Easy Home-made Vanilla Ice Cream
1 cup whole milk
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Prepare your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
Prepare your ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
In a medium bowl, mix the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Mix in the cream and vanilla. Chill for at least one hour. Stir again right before using.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker's freezer bowl. Churn and freeze following the directions for your ice cream maker. Freeze until ice cream is scoopable.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker's freezer bowl. Churn and freeze following the directions for your ice cream maker. Freeze until ice cream is scoopable.
Ginger-Kissed Blueberry Sauce
1 pint fresh blueberries, washed and drained
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2/3 cups water
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, ginger and water. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and sauce becomes clear. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, ginger and water. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and sauce becomes clear. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.
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