Homemade Ice Cream

You've had a hard day. You're tired. You need to relax and enjoy, and create some good memories. Ah, what could be better on a day like this than some nice, cool, refreshing ice cream?Shall we go to the kitchen and whip up a batch? Grab your apron and come on!

Passing your recipe cupboard, dig up Nourishing Traditions and turn to page 550:

Vanilla Ice Cream

Will make 1 delicious quart

-3 fresh, orange egg yolks

-1/2 cup maple syrup (I used 1/2 honey, but it was too sweet. Maybe try 1/3)

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

1 Tbs. Arrowroot powder (we used about 1 1/2 Tbs. of cornstarch.)

3 cups heavy cream, preferably raw, not ultra-pasteurized (We didn't even have whole milk, so just used 2 % milk.)

Ice cream should be made with the best quality cream you can find, preferable unpasteurized. Never use ultra-pasteurized cream.

Beat egg yolks and blend in remaining ingredients. Pour into an ice cream maker and process. For ease of serving, transfer ice cream to a shallow plastic container, cover and store in the freezer.

If you want something a little different, omit the vanilla and add some cinnamon and nutmeg. When ice cream is about ten minutes from being finished, add about 1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts.

To make it extra good, serve with carob sauce or raspberry sauce.

Carob Sauce

Makes 2 1/2 cups

2/3 cup carob powder (or cocoa)

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup maple syrup

1 Tbs. vanilla extract

1 Tbs. chocolate extract (optional)

a pinch of salt

1 cup cream, not ultra-pasteurized

Place all ingredients in the top half of a double broiler. Cook gently, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until well amalgamated.

Raspberry Sauce

makes 4 cups

1 12-ounce package of frozen raspberries

1/2 maple syrup

1-2 cups water

Place partially thawed raspberries in food processor with maple syrup and process to make a thick paste. Gradually add water until desired consistency is obtained.

And you have a deliciously healthy dessert! Serve up the creamy goodness, cuddle on the couch and watch a good old movie with the family and create a new memory!