Tuesday, July 28, 2009

TWD: Vanilla Ice Cream



This week’s Tuesdays With Dorie treat was Vanilla Ice Cream – yay! As much as I love making different flavors of ice cream, it’s always convenient to have vanilla around, since it’s good on pretty much everything. In fact, this is the third variation of vanilla I’ve made this month. The other ones were Brown Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream for Sweet Melissa Sundays (twice) and David Lebovitz’s Philadelphia-style vanilla. I don’t think we’ve settled on a very favorite yet (I still must try David Lebovitz’s custard-based vanilla). We liked the extra depth of flavor in the brown sugar variety and the pure sweet cream of the Philadelphia-style, but if you’re looking for a decadently rich and creamy vanilla, make Dorie’s.



I have to admit, I was skeptical, as the Honey Peach Ice Cream, the last flavor the group made from Baking, was not amongst my favorite ice creams of the summer. But when I smelled the vanilla bean steeping in the cream and then saw the custard quickly coating the back of my spoon, I was certain this would be excellent ice cream. And it was! I don’t often order desserts at restaurants; I’m usually too full right after eating a meal and also there is usually a surplus of desserts in my kitchen, however, I do make an exception for one place. In fact, I will go there just to get dessert! The name of the restaurant is called Picco, and the dessert is four mini chocolate malt milkshakes served with warm chocolate-filled madeleines (I did take a picture once and now I can’t find it). I decided to create my own vanilla version at home. It’s also good with brownies, specifically the Baked Brownies. Mr. Penpen even had some with one of the toaster tarts featured in my last post.



This recipe gets a 9 for Deliciousness and a 2.2 for Effort, giving it an EDR of 4.09. Many thanks to Lynne of Café LynnyLu for introducing me to another great vanilla ice cream. You can find the recipe on Lynne’s site and see what the rest of the group thought via the TWD site.

23 comments:

Hindy said...

Love your ice cream milk shakes and madeleines! We really enjoyed this ice cream too.

Megan said...

I really liked the brown sugar vanilla from SMS too - it had a lot of flavor.

And a mini chocolate malt milkshake (whew, that was a mouthful) sounds perfect.

chocolatechic said...

Oh...pared with those brownies....my mouth is watering!

Creative Classroom Core said...

Looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

Your mini milkshakes are awesome! Though the ice cream looks pretty good with the brownies too.

Pamela said...

Such delectable looking photos! Terrific job!

AmyRuth said...

Mmm Mmmm All your ice creams sound delish. This really was a great springboard for a variety of flavoring choices. Its so easy. I'm glad you liked it even though it had to put up a fight amongst all its competition. hehe Great job.
AmyRuth

Sweet as Coco said...

I went to a restaurant called MK in Chicago that was a mini milk shake and I think cake? OMG...one of my fave desserts of all time. I love that you recreated this and also used it with your brownies! Way to put in the effort! ;)

Linda said...

This is the third positive comment I've read about the brown sugar vanilla ice cream. Now, I have to try it.

I think this recipe and DL's recipe are equally delicious - once you make DL's vanilla, you'll have to let us know. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Margot - Thanks so much for your comment! I do have a Cusinart maker but only looked at the instructions. I'll definitely look up the recipes since I need a boost to my ice cream maker skills!
Your vanilla ice cream looks perfect and I love it paired with the brownies! The madeleines look awesome too!

betty geek said...

Holy cow! That looks like an 11 for Delciiousness!

Vanilla ice cream and brownies. I am in love.

Let's be blogger friends!

TeaLady said...

I ate so many vanilla shakes when I was pregnant I thought I would never eat vanilla again. But Dorie's is the BEST!! Are those KH brownies I see on the plate.

Spike said...

I love picco! glad you liked the ice cream

Unknown said...

Oh man, I loved the SMS brown sugar vanilla. So much that I tried to recreate it this week, but it didn't turn out as well. I love your combo with the madeleines and I just know that vanilla ice cream and brownies are a great combo so I bet both variations were terrific!

Amanda said...

I agree it was totally fabulous!

Anonymous said...

I like the way you're thinking. The Baked brownie would be a perfect accompaniment to this vanilla ice cream.

Unknown said...

The madeleines were a great idea, and chocolate filled ones sound unbelievable. I agree that this version of vanilla is quite delicious and easy to make.

sara/imafoodblog.com

JoAnn Freda said...

Those brownies look scrumptious. They look like the ones from Joy of Cooking called Brownies Cockaigne. Love your pictures, your blog food photography just keeps getting and better.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Thanks for the vanilla ice cream report - very thorough! I will have to try the Sweet Melissa brown sugar ice cream since everybody seems to have liked it so much.

steph- whisk/spoon said...

how delicious! brownies and ice cream, here i come!!

sporkorfoon said...

I am so glad you liked it! It really looks SO delicious! I have to try this brown sugar vanilla ice cream, it seems to be all the rave!

Jacque said...

Oh, see, now you've done it... you've put the "milkshake" idea into my head. Whew, I'll bet Dorie's ice cream made a mean shake.

I'm drooling over all of your yummy looking treats!

PheMom said...

You have had quite the ice cream making month! All those versions sound wonderful - I probably wouldn't be able to choose a favorite either!