Eat Dessert First (and an Ice Milk Recipe)

Growing up my mother would occasionally throw a curve ball into our standard dinner routine and serve dessert as the main course. I have fond memories of these dinners and am carrying on the tradition. More often than not our dessert was (and is) strawberry shortcake. My mother's version was bisquick scones, strawberries and ice cream. Our version is similar; cream scones, strawberries and ice milk.

Ice milk has a bit of a crunch compared to ice cream. It gives a lovely sensation on the tongue (similar to the crunch you get on ice cream in a float). Growing up ice milk was readily available in the grocery store. Now I'm not so sure -- I haven't seen it in my neck of the woods. Fortunately ice milk is super easy to make.

Ingredients:

4 cups milk (any percent)

1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)

2 teaspoons vanilla

Pinch salt

Put all ingredients in a bowl and stir until sugar dissolves. Place in ice cream maker and mix according to manufacture directions. Place in a container and freeze. For best results freeze overnight (I'm not that patient and have learned to love soft ice milk.)

If you don't have an ice cream maker don't despair -- simply place in a container and freeze (for best results stir every couple of hours until frozen through).

After you master vanilla go wild and experiment. Add strawberries or chocolate or coffee. Tonight's ice milk was made with 2 cups whipped cream (had it and decided to use it), 1 1/2 cups coffee (left over from this morning), 1/2 cup milk, vanilla, sugar and salt. I must warn you the whipped cream fluffs up like crazy and might overflow the bowl so keep an eye on it. The resulting ice milk/cream is very light and fluffy. It is currently hardening in the freezer.

I love this recipe because it easy, inexpensive and contains simple wholesome ingredients.

And now off to make some scones ...

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Things I'm loving today:

• New appliqued tee shirts
• A husband who is enthused and designing new appliques (seriously)
• Crazy weather (sun, rain, hail, thunder, sun, rain)
• Snuggle kitties

Things I'm hoping for today:

• A good holiday weekend at work
• To find a new captivating book
• Children who appreciate one another
• A solution to the crisis in the gulf