Vanilla Ice Cream, Philadelphia-style

My good friend, E, hosts a homely Christmas get-together each year.  This year, I decided to contribute desserts in the form of brownies as E has been (vigorously) hinting for some.  And since brownies are best eaten with ice cream, I decided to throw in some vanilla ice cream as well (Truth is, I was testing out a new brownie recipe, and the ice-cream was my back-up plan in case the brownies flopped).  As with the brownies, this recipe is taken from The Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz.

I chose Philadelphia-style ice cream as I didn't want anything too rich since the brownies are sinful enough.  Unlike the French custard-style, Philadelphia-style ice cream contains no egg yolks and does not require any major cooking. It is based purely on cream, milk and sugar, and is very delicate-tasting.  Perfect with some warm brownies.

Philadelphia-style ice cream tends to become grainy more quickly and is best eaten within a day or two of churning.  Well, I don't foresee any problem in that department, judging from the response on the ice cream.  There's something about homemade ice cream which is bound to draw some oohs and ahhs from the crowd :)

Green Tea Galore

My can of green tea has been sitting comfortably in my pantry for far too long, so much so that it has been calling out to me softly everytime I open the pantry.  At the rate that it is going, it will want to strike a conversation pretty soon.  Must do something.  Quick.

While browsing through Okashi: Sweet Treats Made With Love by Keiko Ishida last week, the green tea ice cream caught my eye.  Since we like cold treats plus the weather has been so humid and hot plus I needed some egg whites for my next macaron attempt, I got cranking straight away.  Three birds with one  green tea stone, hooray !

Sorbet Frenzy

Friends would know that I will never eat any type of ice cream that is fruit-based, with strawberries being the only exception.  I don't know why, or how to explain it at all, but I seem to have a very strong distaste for pairing ice cream with fruits (with the exception of strawberries).  Until now. 

Clockwise from right - Orange, Strawberry, Green Apple and Blackberry

Cold, Creamy and Decadent

I shall keep this post short and sweet.  What more can I say ? The title basically sums it all up.

And yes, you've guess it right.  Its ice cream !