With the craziness that comes at this time of year - we all need all the help we can get. Every little thing that helps me have a smooth and stress free Christmas is worth having or doing as far as Im concerned :)
So here is my idea for an easy, prepared, Christmas dessert that can be tailored to your tastes.
In South Africa we tend to have a rather warm Christmas day as we are in the middle of summer. So hot Christmas pudding can be rather sweaty... This is a great alternative without comprimising on the Christmas flavour. Its still delicious and festive but also creamy and cool which is better suited for our climate :)
This recipe can be made to suit your taste and budget. If you like pecans add pecans or if you have a nut allergy in the family then leave it out - the same goes for all the flavours and spices in this recipe - by all means add extra cherries or leave out the currants --- its your special Christmas Ice Cream so make it yours in taste! (everything can be altered except for the ice cream recipe base).
Christmas flavour suggestions: cherries, nuts, currants, raisins, spices, like cinnamon, five spice blend, orange rind, dark chocolate etc...
INGREDIENTS
Homemade ice cream Recipe here (or good quality store bought ice cream)
1 cup of currants (or raisins)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste)
half a cup glace cherries ( I pitted fresh cherries and then cooked them in a little water and 1 tablespoon sugar for 5 minutes then allowed them to cool in the fridge - not the same as glace cherries but worked)
100g dark 70% cocoa chocolate (chopped up to chocolate chip size pieces)
half a teaspoon 5 spice blend (optional)
About 1 cup of almonds and pecan nuts together (place in a pan and roast then add 1 tablespoon honey and cook until honey is sticky but not burn - take off the heat and chop nuts and allow to cool)
Rind of 1 orange finely grated - the orange flavour can be quite strong so add to taste
METHOD
Start with a home made ice cream or good quality store bought ice cream.
Make your ice cream and as it is starting to get to the final freezing stage add your flavours - eg chocolate, nuts etc...
If using store bought Ice cream let your ice cream melt a little and then stir in the flavours/ingredients
Place in a pretty dish and freeze
Scoop into pretty bowls and serve
TIP can be nicely garnished with extra nuts or chocolate curls
Happy Holidays
Any chance you could think up a frozen yoghurt version????? I would be completely clueless!!!! It sounds absolutely delicious, but as I'm watching my waistline I thought a frozen yoghurt option might be a halfway mark for me?????
ReplyDeleteSure so churn so plain yoghurt in your ice cream machine and add some honey or stevia or agave to swweten(or freeze in a shallow dish and beat every half hour for 4 times) once starting to be smooth and really quite firm - add the above ingredients mix in and freeze again. The mix will be a bit tangy from the yoghurt - the agave will be a better match for the flavours than the honey - but adjust to taste :)
Deletechurn SOME yoghurt - not so yoghurt!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy Betty, thanks for taking the tine to share this with us. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely Christmas too Sandra - thanks for stopping by and commenting :)
Deletelove this ice cream alternative. my son is an ice cream fanatic even in the cold weather. i love the twist of making it frozen pudding
ReplyDeleteThank you - I hope your son approves ;)
DeleteLooks Delicous!
ReplyDeletethank you :) I can assure you it is very yummy!
Delete:)
Your photos are simply gorgeous. I think you could make liver soup look as amazing as you made that ice cream. I think you are gifted in the realm of presentation and I am enjoying your work. Thank you for the inspiration. My kids have multiple food allergies but I can find my own version of this ice cream.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU !! this comment made my DAY!!!! :)
DeleteI hope it comes out perfectly for you and your family
many thanks for the kind words
Betty Bake