Sunday, July 31, 2011

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

I love gardening time!
I love picking all the veggies 3 feet from my door.
So when I finally had some Zucchini 
ready to pick, I wanted to do something 
"Special" with them.
This is what I came up with.
Lark's Country Heart
I combined two different recipes to get this
sweet, moist cake. To me it tastes just like a 
Texas Sheet cake with a touch of added spice.
I did NOT tell my husband or daughter 
that it had zucchini in it.....
(because if I had they would not have taken a bite!)
And ya know what?..they loved it!
**Note: It makes (1) 9x13 pan, plus (1) 9x9 pan**
 So it is perfect for a pot luck.
Or make a pan to take to a friend.

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

2 C. Shredded Zucchini
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 1/2 C. Flour
1/4 C. Cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tsp. Cinnamon
3 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla - (or use cold coffee) 
2 C. Sugar
1 C. Margarine
1 C. Water
1/2 C. Sour Cream
Preheat your oven to 350
Start by heating up the water, cocoa and margarine until margarine is melted and the cocoa is well mixed. I usually place it in the microwave for a minute. Stir and repeat if needed. Pour the mixture into the mixing bowl. Add in the sour cream,vanilla (or coffee), sugar and eggs. Beat well for 1 minute. Next add the zucchini, salt, cinnamon, soda and flour. Mix on low speed for a minute, then med. speed for another minute. 
Lightly spray your pans, then divide into the (2).. spread batter evenly in each pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until center is cooked through.
Let cool before frosting. 
I used the Texas Sheet Cake frosting recipe
and added in a dash of Cinnamon.

Fresh Garden Baking,
Lark
 
 

Friday, July 29, 2011

Perfect Homemade Bagels


I have always wanted to try my hand at making bagels. This was the first recipe I tried. After tasting them, I have never tried another bagel recipe!  :)  I have added different toppings & even added some berries. Any way I make them I never make enough.

Don't let this fool you with the lengthy instructions, they really are very simple to make. Now get to it...you will thank me later!

4 C. lukewarm water
4 TBSP. Yeast~ I use Red Star Yeast
1 C. Brown Sugar (packed)
4 tsp. Salt
2 TBSP. Cinnamon
10 C. Flour

Combine the water and  yeast together, let sit for 2 minutes. 
Then add in the Brown sugar.
 Allow yeast to foam. (about 10 minutes). 
Transfer mixture to a Mixer bowl, add in salt, cinnamon and flour.
 Allow to mix on high for 10 minutes.
 Remove from bowl onto a greased counter top.
Form in to 9-12 balls.
Allow them to rise for 15 minutes.
 Using your thumb poke a hole into the center of each ball. 
Stretch out a bit, cover and rise for another 10-15 minutes.
While the dough is rising bring a few quarts of water to a boil,
 with 3 TBSP of sugar dissolved in it.
Now drop about 3-4 bagels into the boiling water.
 Let cook on each side for 40 seconds.
 Remove from water and drain on a cloth.
 (DO NOT use paper towels!)
 Transfer to a baking sheet covered with parchment paper
 or a silpat.  Next beat 2 eggs with 2 tsp. water. 
Brush the egg wash onto each bagel.
 Then add your desired topping. 
My family's favorite is Cinn/Sugar sprinkled on top.

Preheat oven to 400
Bake each sheet for 10 minutes. Let cool on wire rack.
*These also freeze very well!*

Come back and let me know what toppings are your favorite to add.

Lark

Thursday, July 28, 2011

500+ Face Book Fan GIVEAWAY

Oh happy day, oh HAPPY DAY..ay!
I can not believe I hit the first 500 fans on face Book!
I have the BEST FRIENDS (fans) EVER!

And to let you all know just how much you mean to me...
I am having a GIVEAWAY!
Where not only (1) follower, 
nor will it just be (2) followers

IT WILL BE 3 FABULOUS FOLLOWERS
to WIN 3 AMAZING COOK BOOK'S!

You all wanna see these wonderful books?
Gooseberry Patch Christmas Cookies
At Home Cafe by Helen Plunckett Defrance
The Oprah Magazine Cook Book
What y'all think? 
There are only 2 things you HAVE to do to be entered.
2. Tell me one recipe I have posted that you
want to make or have made.

**For an EXTRA entry....
Become a Follower of Lark's Country Heart (Blog) 
GIVEAWAY will be drawn on Aug. 1st.
Good Luck and thank you all so much!
 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Baking Up a Cure! Online Bake Sale

Thanks for stopping by. 
For the next 3 days I will be a bit busy hosting the 
Where ALL PROCEEDS will go to the
Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!
I hope you all will join me over there, 
and bid on a few goodies.
There are some Wonderful home baked
goodies from all over the country.
All you have to do to "WIN" the item 
is be the highest bidder.
The Bake Sale is OPEN NOW 
until Midnight, Friday July 29th.
I thought I would give you a sneak peak 
of a few of the goodies you will be able to bid on.
Now these are just a "sampling" of what is up for bid.
There are many other mouth watering,
sinfully delicious treats.
Go "pay it forward" and make a difference today.

Homemade Oreo Ice Cream

I hope you all are not getting tired of all these Ice Cream post's!
Because I still have more to share..... I promise you they are worth it!

This is the creamiest Oreo Ice Cream you will ever eat.
Ok maybe not ever...but pretty darn close!

Homemade Oreo Ice Cream
1 C. Cold Whole Milk
3/4 C. Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 C. Heavy Cream
1 (3.4 oz.) Instant Vanilla Pudding
12 Oreo Cookies-Crushed

Start with making sure your Ice Cream mixing bowl is Very Cold.
Mix together Milk, Sugar, Vanilla, Pudding whisking together until sugar is dissolved. Then add in the cream. Pour into your Ice Cream maker and follow the manufacture instructions. In the last 5 minutes of mixing add in the crushed Oreo Cookies. Place back into freezer to "set" for another 3 hours or over night if you can wait that long.
 Homemade is Always best!,
Lark

Monday, July 25, 2011

Green Chili Pork Taco's

I love Mexican food. I have some type of "spicy" food at least once a week. 
These taco's are so full of flavor. You will want to have friends over for dinner just so they can ask for the recipe! (lol)   I am sure they will become a family favorite of your as well.
Green Chili Pork Taco's


5 lb. Pork Loin -diced
1 Lg. White Onion -diced
2 (4 oz.) Diced Green Chili's
1 (4oz.) Diced Jalapenos-drain * I only use 1/2 a can
4 TBSP. Olive Oil
2 TBSP. Montreal Steak Seasoning
1 tsp. Cumin
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
Juice of 5 Fresh Limes
Water


In a large stock pot place the oil, onion, chili's, jalapeno. Let cook about a minute. Add in the meat, and seasonings. Stirring often, cook on a simmer  for 20-30 minutes.
This will start to cook and "dry"...when you see this happening add in the fresh lime juice and 1/2 C. water. Let cook down. Add enough water every once in a while to keep moist.(it is a thick meat sauce).
Serve with flour tortilla's, sour cream, tomato and cheese. With plenty of fresh limes.


Keeping it "hot" and fresh!
Lark

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Spicy Garden Breakfast Casserole

Most weekends I am up way before my daughter and Husband. I like to "beat the heat" and do my running early in the cool morning hours. If I plan ahead I like to put together an overnight Casserole I can throw in the oven, for my family to enjoy when they wake up. I was looking for a recipe that I could "alter" by adding the fresh veggies in my garden. I found a great recipe on labelle cuisine.
Do yourself a favor and go check out her site. Let her know Lark sent you! 
*Note for all you NON-MEAT-EATERS,I made 1/2 with Meat and 1/2 without. In it's "place" I added fresh mushrooms....WOW!
 This recipe will make a 9x9 pan, you can double it for a 9x13

6 Egglands Best Organic Eggs: beaten
3/4 c. Milk
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Chili Powder
1/8 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/4 C. Diced White Onion
1/4 C. Diced Green Peppers
1/2 C. Diced fresh Tomato
1 TBSP Chopped Chives
16 oz. Frozen Hash Browns
2 C. Shredded Sharp Cheese
*1/2 lb. Cooked Spicy Italian Sausage (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and spread evenly into a 9x9 sprayed pan. Cover and chill overnight.
Next morning Preheat oven to 350, bake for 35-45 Minutes. Or until "set" and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  You can serve a side of salsa and sour cream if you desired.
EARLY MORNING Start,
Lark
 

Friday, July 22, 2011

Guest Post and Friend: Trisha From SWEETOLOGY!

Trisha from Sweetology is not only a fabulous foodie friend, she is a very talented Wife and Mother! She is one of the STRONGEST ladies I know! Her story and how she lives life to its fullest inspire me daily! Please go read through her blog. You will be forever changes for the better!

Hello Everyone! This is Trish from Sweetology.  I am a gal who loves her sweets and fancies her life being a perpetual tea party.  Who doesn't LOVE a Tea Party?  It is such a TREAT to be here at Lark's Country Heart as a guest poster for one of my FAVORITE bloggers. Would you not all agree that Lark has to be one of the most inspirational and genuine bloggers I have met so far....and what BOUNDLESS energy!  I knew from the very first comment she left on my blog when I was just starting out and hearing crickets chirp in between posts, that she was someone special.  We all know how important comments are to a blogger and I am always touched by her sincere, thoughtful responses.

When she asked me to guest post for her I was THRILLED!! I would LOVE to do something for a gal who is always doing something for someone else. Her support of cancer research funding and her "pay it forward" motto inspire me on a regular basis. My life is blessed to know this great lady.


While I do love a good SWEET, I decided to make something different with a summer twist for this special post. However, for those of you who do not know me, I am ALWAYS pressed for time and rely on a FAST and FANCY approach for many of my creations.


When I saw this Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe in the recent issue of Tea Time Magazine, I knew it would be perfect to share with Lark's readers.


After I made this gazpacho and allowed my on staff "food critics" (i.e. husband and daughter) to sample it, I KNEW it was a winner!  My food critics like traditional recipes so I was nervous about them liking a cold watermelon soup.  NO WORRIES HERE! They loved it! 

Because I had made a TON of this deliciousness, I ended up sharing this with my awesome neighborhood "food critics" and the positive reviews just kept rolling in!


It is so tasty, so fast and so FANCY.....3 elements for a WINNER in my book!

I adapted the recipe from Tea Time Magazine. 

Makes 8 cups
Adapted from Tea Time Magazine July/Aug 2011

8 cups pureed watermelon ~ 2 quarts cubed or 1/2 large watermelon
1 cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup coarsely English cucumber
3/4 cup coarsely chopped red onion
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup fresh lime juice

In work bowl of food processor, combine watermelon, bell pepper, cucumber, onion, cilantro, and lime juice and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer mixture to an airtight container, and refrigerate for several hours until cold. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

This can also make a unique and refreshing salsa. We ate it with cinnamon pita chips and it was delicious!

Serve Cold.
I hope you decided to make the Watermelon Gazpacho and if you do let us know!

Have a SWEET day!
*Thank you so much Trish for sharing this refreshing recipe!
Love you to heaven and back!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mexican Goulosh

Some days  just don't go as "planned".  It is on those nights that I need to make a quick meal. Hopefully a meal everyone will like and eat with NO complaining. So this is one of those dishes we all like. 
*Bonus that it's Healthy & lower in Calories.


Another  bonus is that it is a skillet stove top meal! (keep the heat outside!)
In the theme of keeping this lower in calories & healthy I use extra lean ground beef or turkey, along with using whole wheat pasta & light cheese. 



1 lb. ground extra lean beef or turkey
1 (10 oz.) Mild Rotel tomato with green chili's
1 Med. White Onion
1 (15.25 oz.) Canned Corn; drain
1 (8 oz.) Hunts Tomato Sauce; I like the Basil, garlic, Oregano style
1 C. Light 2% Shredded cheese
8 0z. Cooked Pasta; we like the Whole wheat shells


Brown the meat in a large skillet  using any seasonings you like. I season mine with cumin, garlic powder, Pepper, chili powder and onion salt. While the meat is cooking, boil the noodles and  slice the onion into thin slices. When meat is cooked turn down the heat. Place onion slices on top of meat. Now it is just doing the layering of the remaining ingredients. Rotel then corn followed by the tomato sauce. Drain cooked pasta and spread evenly over all. Finish it off with the shredded cheese. Keeping the heat low, cover with lid and let cheese melt.
That's it! So simple and it is soooo good! 
 We like to serve ours with some Taco sauce.


Keep it Simple,
Lark

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

MADE IT ON MONDAY #19

Welcome to Made it on Monday Weekly Link Party!
Please follow these Simple rules:

1.You MUST be a follower of Lark's Country Heart
2. Please grab a Lark's Country Heart OR a Made it on Monday Button and place it on your blog. Linking it back.
3. You may submit up to (3) recipes per week.
4. Please pay it forward by visiting at least (2) other blogs.
5. Only link to the submitted recipe, please.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Nutella Nutter Butter Ice Cream

I have to tell you a secret....PROMISE you wont tell anyone! I know I can trust you! I am having a LOVE affair! YUP!.....With my Ice Cream Maker!!!
My husband and I received this Ice Cream maker for a wedding present almost 14 years ago! And I can honestly say I think I have used it more in the last week and a half than all 13+ years.  I am loving coming up with new recipes to try out. My daughter and husband are loving it even more. 
Nutella Nutter Butter Ice Cream
Who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter together? And this is loaded with mini Nutter Butter Cookie Bites. Oh my heck!...stop your drooling. (lol)

1 C. Cold Whole Milk
2 C. Heavy Cream
2 tsp. Vanilla (or you can kick it up with cold coffee)
3/4 C. Sugar
1 (3.4 oz) Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 TBSP Creamy Peanut Butter (heaping)
2 TBSP Nutella (heaping)
4 oz. container Nutter Butter Bites

Start by stirring the milk, cream, sugar and vanilla together until sugar is dissolved. Whisk in the pudding, until smooth. Add in the Peanut Butter whisking. Do the same with the Nutella. I leave little "clumps" of both. So no need to beat it smooth. Now you will follow your Ice Cream machine directions. In the last 5 minutes of mixing add in the Cookie Bites. I then freeze it so it will really "set up" for at least a couple of hours. You will be amazed at how creamy this is...you might want to double the recipe!

Cool and Creamy Treats,
Lark 

Monday, July 18, 2011

TOP 3 Picks for week #18 on Made it on Monday

Hello, so glad you dropped by to check out
Lark's Country Heart!
 *Each week I host a RECIPE link party called 
"Made it on Monday"
Link ups are every WED.-SAT. and then the following Monday I post my TOP 3 picks of all the recipes that have been submitted. I hope you will
share a few of your favorite recipes, with us all!  
Here are my TOP 3 from week #18

#1 Dip it in Chocolate is a "new" blog friend I was so happy she linked up this amazing Thin Mint Popcorn
#2 Comes to us from a sweet, good friend of mine as well as fellow blogger, Life as a Lofthouse Holly sent us drooling over her 
#3 Everything about this Summer Berry Crumble called to me! 
Thank you Cheese Curd in Paradise for sharing this!

*I am looking forward to seeing all the new, fresh, divine dishes you all share this coming week! Remember to link up WED.-SAT.*
~Have a great week! 
Lark

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Strawberry Cobbler

I love me a good cobbler...and this is one GREAT cobbler!

*I first shared this recipe in April, however I have had a TON of requests to re post and share again! (thank you for all the feed back!) And with all the wonderful Farmers Markets you all are visiting, I am sure you can pick up some fresh Strawberries! Enjoy!

I just had this cobbler linked up to Made it on Monday , last week.
And Of course I went shopping for some strawberries so I could bake this.
This recipe came from: Simply Red

I did add Cinnamon and Almond extract to my version, that was not in the original recipe.  I just really like those two components added.

This will make a 9x13 pan.
Preheat oven to 350

3 C. Fresh Strawberries
2 C. Sugar
1 Stick Margarine; melted
2 tsp. Baking Powder
3/4 C. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Milk
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Almond Extract


Stir together the strawberries and 1 C. Sugar. Set aside to let the juices release and mix with the berries.

Mix together the sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon.
Stir in melted margarine, milk and extract.
Pour batter into a lightly greased 9x13 pan.
Top with the strawberries. Do not stir.
Bake for 45 minutes.
*You can also sprinkle some sugar over the top while cooling if desired.
We like ours served warm with a scoop of Ice Cream.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Guest Post by The Better Baker

Marsha
I am pleased to bring to Lark's Country Heart, not only a very talented "baker/cook" ....also a wonderful, giving, kind friend of mine. Marsha and I have never meet face to face. And that does not make a single bit of difference. We have talked on the phone along with sending many, many emails back and fourth. Marsha is also one of the Country Cooks Across America. We share the love of food, friends, family and freedom.
Marsha has her own Cook Book printed,  which one lucky follower will be winning! **To enter: be a follower of Lark's Country Heart, Be a follower of The Better Baker and leave a comment on Face Book.
Please do yourself a HUGE favor and follow her blog!

I want to thank Lark for inviting me to do this guest post.  It's only my second and very
exciting!  Lark and I crossed paths just a few months ago, and immediately hit it off.
Within a week, I knew we were sisters of the heart.  We laugh because often we make
similar dishes on the same day, even though we live across the country from each other.
She has been terrific in bringing us together in the Country Cooks Across America project.
 
I love blogging and getting to know other bloggers is a huge part of the fun.  I'm the oldest
and only girl in my family, with 3 younger brothers, so my girlfriends are very important to me.
 
I had my own cookbook published last August 1st. It contains 300 recipes using every day ingredients
from your pantry. I love simple, delicious and healthy dishes.  My hubby of 43 years is 100% disabled, with numerous health issues,  so I try to 'lighten' things for both of us.
 
Lark asked me to share some 'unknown' things about myself.  I
decided I would tell you that I have had surgery to remove a (benign) brain tumor.  That was
in 1987. I have some paralysis on the left side of my face, and am very thankful for the few
'issues' I deal with now. I'm totally deaf in my left ear. I have always cried easily...I use to complain
to God that He must have  put my tearducts too close to my eyes.  Well, He heard that 'cry' and now
I can say I cry exactly half as much as I use to...only one eye tears when I cry.  Pretty tricky huh? 
 
I also do public speaking.  I share my encouragement ministry (I mail about 50+ cards a month),
and also the story (HIS-story) God is writing with our lives. I love to tell the ladies that I'm not a
professional speaker, but I am a professional talker. *-* I really enjoy & LOVE telling funny stories -
mostly from the Reader's Digest, as I am fond of the true stories.
 
 

I LOVE BLUEBERRIES!


They're sooo good for you! They're loaded with vitamins and are high in fiber and low in fat. Recent studies tell us that of all fresh fruits and vegetables, blueberries provide the most health-protecting antioxidants, those valuable elements which prevent cancer-causing cell damage and may limit the changes wrought by age related diseases.

When a friend served me this dish, warm from the oven, topped with ice cream no less!, I knew I had to have the recipe. It's one among many delicious recipes in my cookbook "Recipes & Recollections from The Better Baker".

I think the marriage of peaches with blueberries results in the perfect match. Peaches are also great for your skin. 

Peach Blueberry Cobbler
PEACH-BLUEBERRY CRISP

 
3 - 4 peaches, about 1-1/2#, peeled and sliced into wedges
2 c. blueberries, cleaned
1 heap. TB. cornstarch
2 TB. lemon juice
1/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. light brown sugar
5 TB. (unsalted) butter, cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 2.5 qt. baking dish. In a large bowl, combine peaches, blueberries, cornstarch, lemon juice and sugar; set aside. In small bowl, combine flour, oats, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; stir in brown sugar, then butter, mixing by hand until blended and crumbly. Spread fruit mixture in prepared baking dish and sprinkle with oatmeal mixture. Bake 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping.
It's deliciously wonderful.  If you choose, you can make these sugar free/fat free...no one will guess. They are healthy nibbles of yumminess!







I began making this next recipe many years ago. 
I found it in a Taste of Home magazine.

It's deliciously wonderful.  If you choose, you can make these sugar free/fat free...no one will guess. They are healthy nibbles of yumminess!

Lemon and blueberry make a delightful combination...and that result is expressed beautifully in this biscuit.

Oh...another thing that I adore about this recipe is that you stir it by hand. No need to get out the mixer and dirty the beaters. 

It's easy to make and very tasty.


LEMON BLUEBERRY BISCUITS
(From The Better Baker)

2 c. all purpose flour (I replaced 1/3 c. with whole wheat)
1/3 c. sugar (I used Splenda)
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 carton (8 ozs) lemon yogurt
(I only had vanilla yogurt, so I added a tsp. of lemon flavoring to yogurt)
1 egg, lightly beaten (or 2 egg whites)
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
(I've substituted liquid Butter Buds to make this totally fat free)
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
(I like a little more lemon 'zing', so I add a little more lemon flavoring even when I use lemon yogurt)

GLAZE:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 Tb. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel

Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Combine yogurt, egg, butter and lemon peel; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in blueberries. Drop by tablespoon full onto a greased baking sheet.  Bake 15 - 18 minutes or until lightly browned. (Remember the Splenda 'rule'...if using it in this recipe, it bakes faster). Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm biscuits.


Thursday, July 14, 2011

Homemade Marshmallow Brownie Ice Cream

I guess you could say I was on a "cool" kick!...
Anything to make me feel a little bit cooler in this heat, 
is a GOOD THING!
Nothing says "COOL" like Ice Cream!
If you happen to be a Chocolate Lover, 
THIS IS THE ICE CREAM FOR YOU!
Lark's Country Heart
 This a very simple and easy recipe.....warning:
you may want to double the batch.
You will find this doesn't last long!

In a mixing bowl whisk together:
2 C. Heavy Cream-cold
1 C. Whole Milk
1/2 C. Sugar
1/8 tsp. Salt
3 tsp. of Vanilla extract or if you have leftover cold coffee
1/4 C.  Cocoa Powder-sift
1 1/4 C. Boxed Brownie Mix
1 (3.4 oz.) Instant Chocolate Pudding
 Mix together until sugar and brownie mix had dissolved.
Chill covered for at least 2 hours. (overnight is even better)
Then pour 1/2 mixture into Ice cream maker the sprinkle 1/2 C. Mini Marshmallows. I also grate 1 (1.55 oz.) Milk Chocolate Candy Bar into the bowl. Then repeat again to the "fill" line of your Ice Cream mixer.
Proceed with the directions of your Ice Cream machine. *mine took about 25 Minutes. Then I transferred it to a bowl and placed in freezer until ready to serve.

*Note: save the extra  dry Brownie mix to sprinkle over 
Vanilla Ice Cream.
You wont believe how good that tastes.

Keep it Simply Country!
Lark

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

MADE IT ON MONDAY week #18

Welcome to Made it on Monday Weekly Link Party!
Please follow these Simple rules:

1.You MUST be a follower of Lark's Country Heart
2. Please grab a Lark's Country Heart OR a Made it on Monday Button and place it on your blog. Linking it back.
3. You may submit up to (3) recipes per week.
4. Please pay it forward by visiting at least (2) other blogs.
5. Only link to the submitted recipe, please.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Fresh Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Have you ever been Blackberry picking? 
It is a trying, painful job. But oh so worth it! 
I have a neighbor who has these growing 
along side his fence. 
So of course I asked if I could pick some.
*Country folk are a very sharing kind of people!* 
Just look at the size of these berries.
Fresh picked Blackberries!
I wanted to make something special using these juicy berries. With it being so hot & humid these past few days, Ice Cream came to mind! You just can't beat the taste of Homemade Ice Cream. This recipe is by far the best.
Homemade Blackberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
 Start by placing the mixing bowl portion of your Ice Cream maker into the freezer to chill while you prepare. (you will keep it in there over night)

In a large sauce pan stir together and bring to a boil the following:
3 C. Sugar
1 (3.4 oz.)Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
1/8 tsp. Salt
8 C. Whole Milk

Stirring constantly bring to a medium boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl beat together:
4 lg. Eggs
1 TBSP. Vanilla

Take 1 C. of the hot milk mixture, slowly pour into the eggs and whisk together.
Then whisk the egg mixture into the hot milk. 
(you are tempering the eggs so they wont "cook" and become scrambled)
Return back to heat stirring until it comes to a med. boil once again. Cook for another 2 minutes. Turn off heat.

Now you will Whisk in (2) 8 oz. pkg. of softened Cream Cheese. 
Once blended, place the mixture into a Ice Bath to help cool quickly.
Place a piece of plastic wrap over the top of custard preventing a "skin" to form.
Let chill overnight.
In a separate bowl place 3 C. of the fresh rinsed Blackberries along with
2 C. Heavy Whipping Cream. You will chill this over night as well.

Now the next morning stir together the berries & cream into the custard.
Place into your chilled ice cream bowl and prepare as directed on your ice cream maker. *Mine only took 30 minutes. then I transferred the ice cream into a bowl to freeze for later. You won't believe how good this is.

To "cool" Summer night's!
Lark

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