So, there is very little at work that makes my coworkers and I smile. But when that rare happy moment comes along, we seize it like a dog with a bone. One of the things that make the day bearable is the occasional lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Now, you’d think I’d be raving about their famous pizza (which is great) or their flavorful pastas (which are delicious). No. What I want to talk about are their desserts and this summer, the dessert of all desserts is being featured – the STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE. Light flaky shortcake, fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream, combine together to create the perfect ratio of berry-cake-whip cream. It is positively divine… If you’ve got a CPK by you, then you are in for a delectable treat!
04 June 2012
Sunshine on a Dark Day
So, there is very little at work that makes my coworkers and I smile. But when that rare happy moment comes along, we seize it like a dog with a bone. One of the things that make the day bearable is the occasional lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. Now, you’d think I’d be raving about their famous pizza (which is great) or their flavorful pastas (which are delicious). No. What I want to talk about are their desserts and this summer, the dessert of all desserts is being featured – the STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE. Light flaky shortcake, fresh strawberries and fluffy whipped cream, combine together to create the perfect ratio of berry-cake-whip cream. It is positively divine… If you’ve got a CPK by you, then you are in for a delectable treat!
01 June 2012
Summer Lovin'!!
I love the summer. Beach days, lemonade, sunshine and most importantly, ice cream! Ice cream epitomizes what summer really is – a sweet, sweet time! In our family, Memorial Day weekend is our official welcome to summer and what’s better to serve on a lovely summer day? Ice cream sandwiches! My version of the ice cream sandwich is a take on strawberry shortcake. I make strawberry cookies with a creamy vanilla strawberry swirl ice cream middle, rolled with candy stars. It’s a hit with adults and the kiddos!
Here’s how I do it:
Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream (you’ll want to get this ready a day before you put the sandwiches together)
1) packet of vanilla ice cream starter (I love the Williams Sonoma version!) 1 ½ cups of half and half 1 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream 1 pint of strawberries – diced ¼ cup of sugar
Directions: 1. Pour the ice cream starter and the half and half in a large bowl. Whisk until the starter is completely dissolved. 2. Stir in the heavy cream. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and turn it on, letting it spin for about 25 minutes. 3. While the ice cream machine is doing its magic, add the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes. 4. Transfer the macerated strawberries into a small sauce pan and heat it on medium for about 10 minutes until it becomes syrupy. Make sure you don’t leave it on the fire too long – it can burn! 5. About 25 minutes into the ice cream process, slowly add the strawberry syrup into the vanilla ice cream. Let spin for about 8 minutes longer. 6. Place ice cream into a container and freeze until ready to put the sandwiches together.
Strawberry Cookies: 1 package of strawberry cake mix 2 eggs 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
Directions: 1. In a large bowl, pour the cake mix and make a well. 2. In the well, add the eggs and oil. Mix well until the mixture resembles cookie dough. 3. Roll dough into golf ball size balls and bake for 8-9 minutes @ 350 degrees. 4. Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.
Putting the sandwiches together…. 1. Take 2 cookies and lay them on their front side. Take (1) scoop of the vanilla strawberry swirl ice cream and place on top of (1) cookie. Top with second cookie. 2. Roll the sides of your newly minted ice cream sandwich in your choice of sprinkles (I like stars!). 3. Serve immediately or freeze and eat at your leisure!
Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream (you’ll want to get this ready a day before you put the sandwiches together)
1) packet of vanilla ice cream starter (I love the Williams Sonoma version!) 1 ½ cups of half and half 1 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream 1 pint of strawberries – diced ¼ cup of sugar
Directions: 1. Pour the ice cream starter and the half and half in a large bowl. Whisk until the starter is completely dissolved. 2. Stir in the heavy cream. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and turn it on, letting it spin for about 25 minutes. 3. While the ice cream machine is doing its magic, add the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes. 4. Transfer the macerated strawberries into a small sauce pan and heat it on medium for about 10 minutes until it becomes syrupy. Make sure you don’t leave it on the fire too long – it can burn! 5. About 25 minutes into the ice cream process, slowly add the strawberry syrup into the vanilla ice cream. Let spin for about 8 minutes longer. 6. Place ice cream into a container and freeze until ready to put the sandwiches together.
Strawberry Cookies: 1 package of strawberry cake mix 2 eggs 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
Directions: 1. In a large bowl, pour the cake mix and make a well. 2. In the well, add the eggs and oil. Mix well until the mixture resembles cookie dough. 3. Roll dough into golf ball size balls and bake for 8-9 minutes @ 350 degrees. 4. Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely.
Putting the sandwiches together…. 1. Take 2 cookies and lay them on their front side. Take (1) scoop of the vanilla strawberry swirl ice cream and place on top of (1) cookie. Top with second cookie. 2. Roll the sides of your newly minted ice cream sandwich in your choice of sprinkles (I like stars!). 3. Serve immediately or freeze and eat at your leisure!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)