Random Mon May 21 2007

A summertime must-have

If there is one thing that you purchase for your kitchen this summer, I hope that it is an electric ice cream maker. Like a certain Shins song, it could totally change your life. Or, at least your summer ice cream-eating habits. Two years ago, while browsing an assortment of appliances and odds and ends spread out on a blanket at a yard sale, I came across a Cuisinart ice cream/sorbet maker that looked as if it had never been used. It hadn't, it turned out, and my trusty machine's previous owners sold it to me (along with a gorgeous, bright orange tea kettle) for a total of $5.

Under new ownership this little machine has churned more sorbet, ice cream, iced soy "cream" (or whatever you'd call it), frozen yogurt and frozen custard than its old owners could have ever dreamed of. The best thing is, my arm has never become achy and tired from cranking for 30 minutes straight and there is no mess from the rock salt!

Oh, the flavors you will come up with! The most recent batch was maple walnut. I've also added mashed up ripe bananas and shaved bits of dark chocolate to the milk and cream. A favorite among my friends was a holidy special: ice cream made with candy canes. It was amazing on top of a warm slice of dark chocolate cake! Recently, I've been toying with the idea of savory ice creams.

When looking for your ice cream maker, look for one with a container you keep frozen. Those ones are the best, because you just add your custard, cream, yogurt or fruit juice and flip a switch. They're good for making slushy alcoholic drinks, too (although, you need to add the alcohol at the end)!

— Meghan Murphy Gill / Comments (1)