Ice Cream Bread - 12 Weeks Of Christmas Treats

I can hardly believe it myself, but Christmas is just around the corner. Its exciting, yet scary. In-laws, fancy meals, excessive family time, buy gifts, spreading the finances evenly, wondering when my boys will be enlightened abut Santa Claus, will it be this year? and of course juggling the craziness that comes with all this prep. I always default to baking to calm my nerves.

Not only is required, as there are definitely required and requested holiday treats, but it helps me find my focus. My husband doesn't bake. My kids don't bake. And, those sweet treats aren't going to make themselves. Its me. Mom that has the obligation to make them, and I don't mind one bit! Its one of the rare times I can kick everyone out of the kitchen, sport my pretty apron and sift, stir and mix to my own holiday tunes.

This year I'm determined to keep up with the 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats! Its a fresh new treat every week from today until December 11, 2013. That should give us plenty of treats for school, parties and mid-night snacks. ;)

Ice Cream Bread

I first saw this on Pinterest by Brit+Co. It sounded great and so super easy, so I gave it a shot! I read about six or seven other blogs about Ice Cream Bread before I settled on the recipe. Brit+Co's looked amazing! I just wanted something I little more simplistic. It was more dense than I like, so I think I'll add a few mix-ins next time and a nice glaze. This was my modification.

Ingredients:

2 cups premium ice cream, softened (We used Blue Bell, like every good Southern Gal would!) 
11/2 cups self rising flour  

Food Can't Make Me Happy, or Can It?

Our guest blogger is Lisa Francombe. Please welcome her as she shares the about two of my favorite subjects, food and happiness!

Can Food Make You Happy?

The obvious answer to the question ‘can food make you happy?’ is, of course, 'yes'! Surely there’s not a single person out there who doesn’t experience some form of overwhelming euphoria when they sit down in front of a gooey cheese pizza or a big tub of ice cream? Food like this not only satisfies the body’s need for fuel, but it also tastes delicious, which is why there’s that sudden explosion of bliss, but food can actually have much more long term effects on your state of mind, if you eat the right things of course. A chocolate cake every day may seem like a good idea at first, but ultimately it’s going to leave you feeling a bit down, not to mention a good few pounds heavier!

Greek food mix by Signe Karin

The Mediterranean Diet

If you take a look at the instances of depression around the world, you’ll see some very interesting figures. In the United States, a whopping 20 percent, that’s one in five people, report feelings of depression or anxiety, but in Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Italy, the percentage drops by half to just 10 percent, or one in 10 people. Why is that? Well, the obvious answer is that they enjoy gloriously sunny weather and have access to some of the world’s best beaches, but it goes a bit deeper than that, and researchers actually believe that the Mediterranean diet plays a big role. The Mediterranean diet is full of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, seafood and meats, legumes, nuts such as peanuts and almonds, and grain-based breads and pastas, all of which contain high levels of B Vitamins and it’s these vitamins that are thought to play a big part in preventing the signs and symptoms of depression in women especially.

If you think eating a Mediterranean diet is boring then you’re wrong! There are so many interesting meals and snacks you can whip up that your whole family will love. Do you know what’s great as a quick after school snack, or even as a healthy lunch for yourself? Black eyed pea and olive oil hummus, served with some carrot sticks or pita chips. This gives you a good mix of the B vitamins in the legumes, and the healthy fats in the olive oil. A bean and tuna salad makes a great appetizer, instead of fried hot wings, for example, but don’t feel like you need to jump in at the deep end. You can still incorporate aspects of the Mediterranean diet into your everyday eating habits without having to do without all your favorite foods. Rather than calling for takeout on a Fridaynight, why not make your own pizza with grilled chicken, avocado, lots of fresh herbs and a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil? Your kids will love creating their own pizza!

Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream by gordonramsaysubmissions

It’s Good to Indulge a Little

While the Mediterranean diet is great for boosting your state of mind, there are other foods that have been found to have a similar effect. One such food is chocolate! Chocolate increases serotonin production in the brain (the chemical that makes us happy) in the same way as an antidepressant would, although on a much smaller scale. Technically speaking, eating an apple has the same effect, it makes people feel happy and joyous afterwards but, you know, sometimes you just want a candy bar! Eating food with a high fat content can also be a great mood booster. Now, this isn’t something you should do all the time, unless you want to be squeezing into your jeans, but if you want to indulge in a cheese-covered taco with a generous dollop of sour cream or rum-laden homemade ice cream, then why not? There’s nothing wrong with that, and a little bit of indulgence every now and then is actually good for you. If you give in to your temptations once in a while, you’re more likely to stick to a healthy diet rather than become fixated on all the things you ‘can’t’ have.

In answer to the question ‘can food make you happy?’ - absolutely it can, but it does so in many different ways. Hopefully this has shown you that you don’t need to stick to one particular diet or one specific type of food to enjoy a healthy diet and a happy frame of mind. It’s all about mixing it up a little and enjoying everything in moderation.

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Freeze your New Years Eve...My kind of fun!

Foodbuzz is a great place to browse when you are interested in getting inspiration from other foodies. But let me give you  very heartfelt warning...Do. Not. Go. When. Hungry! You can kiss that New Years Resolution good-bye right away if you do. It is seriously worse than going grocery shopping hungry. I come up with so many recipes I want to make and how I would modify them. Then my grocery list begins...Rum. Heavy Cream. Sugar...I digress.

Today one of the top 9 on Foodbuzz caught my attention. Ms Bosslady at Mind Over Batter shared her recipe for Coquito Ice Cream. Before I go further, let me share with you a picture from her blog. This will explain exactly why it caught my eye and has managed to keep it.

I mean, WOW! (thanks for the picture, I don't think I could capture it any better. Its cold. Its textured. It looks amazing!!)

So that reminded me that with a nice stipends I received last month, I planned to buy the ice cream maker attachment for my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. No, I have not yet. Its still a little chilly, but I'm thinking this little frozen drink might be exactly what I need to move me in that direction. I mean, the alcohol has to add some warmth, right? But lets look at this a little further...I'm not sure I can wait. I might need to make this tonight!

Then I began to remember that I don't know how to make ice cream. I remember from growing up that Granny would make Strawberry Banana ice cream in her old ice cream maker. I remember her needing cream, sugar, strawberries, bananas, vanilla and ice. But aside from that, I've never actually made it. So I Googled it. I love Google! And, I came up with a Wiki site that not only includes wording for each step, but also pictures. I love pictures. I can't screw up pictures. Even better, there are several ways mentioned and a video. I didn't know you could make ice cream in a bag or a ball, did you?

I'm not going to post every method, but I will tell you how to make it in a freezer and you can visit How to Make Ice Cream by Jim to see the rest. This method is great with a custard recipe or if you are desiring a smoother ice cream.

1. Pour ice cream mixture in a deep baking dish, something durable for the freezer.
2. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes.
3. Check the mixture and when it starts to freeze at the edges, take it and stir it with a spatula until your arms are about to fall off, or until all the ice crystals are broken up. I think this would be a good time to bring out the hand mixer.
4. Check and stir every 30 minutes until it is ice cream. Viola! Thanks Jim!

Now he also left a few tips just to help you be more successful at your first attempt making home-made ice cream.

• If you prefer to keep that diet resolution, use milk instead of heavy cream and splenda with you mixture.
• Flavor combinations are limitless. Chocolate syrup is a great basic option. Add fruits, nuts, whatever your favorate combinations might be. I think i'm going to add some mini candies. Extracts can also be purchased to add flavors.
• Blueberries can be added as well. Crush them first. Whole blueberries become hard blueberry rock bombs instead of mixing nicely with the ice cream, fyi.
• If you want to use the stand mixer, like I plan to, put the canister in the freezer overnight. Then put straight on the mixer. Add the mix while the canister is still VERY cold. It cuts down on the ice crystals and produces a smoother ice cream.

Thanks Jim and Ms Bosslady! Y'all have been gems today. You've also given me my first real craving of 2012, and no I'm not pregnant. I just love ice cream!

For Ms Bosslady's Receip for Coquito Ice Cream, See below:

An M.O.B. Production

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2/3 cup sweetened cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• healthy pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 egg yolks
• 5 1/2 tablespoons white Puerto Rican Rum ( I used Bacardi)

1. In a small saucepan combine evaporated milk, coconut milk, sweetened cream of coconut, condensed milk, heavy cream, salt, spices and vanilla extract. Stir to incorporate and over low heat bring to a simmer.
2. While the milk mixture is simmering prepare a bowl of ice water. Over that bowl of ice water place a smaller bowl with a fine mesh strainer over the top.
3. In a separate bowl whisk the egg yolks until they are smooth. Once the milk mixture has simmered, slowly pour a small amount over the egg yolks to temper them, whisking constantly. Continue whisking and pour the rest of the mixture into the bowl. Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a wooden spoon (about 170-175 degrees F), or about 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour the custard through the mesh strainer into the prepared bowl. Allow the ice water to chill it completely. Add the rum and stir until fully incorporated. At this point you can either place in the refrigerator to steep and develop flavor or you can freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.

Makes 1 quart of ice cream.

Preparation time: 15 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)