Cantaloupe Ice Cream

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Cindy Kerschner


Cantaloupe Ice Cream
You must have heard the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Well, when life gave me overripe cantaloupe I made cantaloupe ice cream. Actually I should know better than to take advantage of buy one, get one since I still have a whole killer pineapple, but that’s story.
Anyway without further ado, let’s make some delicious, all natural, NO preservatives included ice cream!
Cantaloupe Ice Cream
(For a soother texture use a custard base.)
Makes one pint (but I automatically double it)
1 cup cantaloupe puree (about 1/2 of a medium-sixed cantaloupe)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons honey or agave syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
Beat together sugar, milk and cream until sugar dissolves and mixture is frothy (about 2 minutes by hand).
Add vanilla. Mix.
Add cantaloupe, lemon and honey. Mix to dissolve honey.
Pour into your favorite ice cream maker or large plastic container and freeze. But keep an eye on it. The key to keeping down the amount of ice crystals is to stir or hand whip the ice cream as it freezes. About every 20 minutes or so until it is set.
I don’t mind some crystals because it melts as you eat it!

Posted in cantaloupe, dessert, everyday, frozen treat, ice cream | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

When There’s Smoke, There’s Peppers

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Cindy Kerschner

When There’s Smoke, There’s Peppers

I don’t advise using your smoke detector as your timer but mine makes perfect roasted peppers! Just look at them! No, I don’t really time my dinners by when the smoke alarm goes off. Let me explain.
We moved into 1960’s ranch-style home early last year, complete with all the trimmings left from the previous owners; most of which I think are as old as the house. Sure we replaced a few things (oven, cooktop, hood fan, water system, oil burner, bath fixtures, air conditioner compressor, windows, etc), but the smoke detectors worked just fine. Maybe too good?
Broiling now involves two people, one to watch the oven and one to fan the smoke detector. Or, one person to run back and forth up and down the hall very fast!
Luckily I don’t broil often, but come on, look at those peppers!
If you don’t own a smoke detector/food timer like mine, here are some tips for achieving perfect peppers every time.
Place flattened pepper halves skin side up in a single layer on a broiler pan. Broil on high from top rack shelf with the door ajar for about 5 minutes or until most of the skins have charred. Do not overcook.
Remove pan and place peppers in a paper bag and close tightly. Allow peppers to steam in bag for about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and peel. Skins should peel right off. Easy!
Use in your favorite dishes.

Posted in lessons, peppers, roast | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Pineapple Lovers Beware!

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Cindy Kerschner


Pineapple Lovers Beware!
Sweet, sweet pineapple sitting on my counter, you’re so juicy and inviting. I think I’ll cut you up and have a big bowl!
Ummm. Delicious! Wait! What’s happening? Oh no, it’s Attack of the Killer Pineapple better known as Pineapple Tongue!
Don’t get pineapple tongue. Trust me. It is not pretty.
Pineapples come from the Bromeliad Family of plants, which contain a natural occurring enzyme called bromelain. This enzyme has the ability to tenderize meat tissue by breaking down collagen. Works great on steak but unfortunately works great on your tongue fibers too!
Here are a few tricks to help avoid it or at least lessen the effects.
Only eat fully ripened pineapple. A pineapple should be yellow in color and smell sweet on the bottom.
Rinse cut pineapple before eating to help get rid of acidic juices.
It’s been said a little salt helps neutralize the acid. I’d prefer an alkaline like yogurt or cottage cheese.
Even though I knew about pineapples and bromelain I ate too much anyway. I won’t do it again though! Pineapple 1, Cindy 0!

Posted in everyday, news, pineapple | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Cindy Kerschner


Ooey, gooey choclaty brownies with crunchy peanut butter. Warm and delicious with some vanilla ice cream! Want a bite?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 squares (2 ounces) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup flour

Melt butter and chocolate together over low heat or in microwave. set aside to cool.
Cream together sugar and peanut butter. Add butter, chocolate and vanilla.
Mix in one egg at a time.
Add salt and flour.
Bake in greased 8x8x2-inch pan at 350 for about 20 to 25 minutes or inserted toothpick comes out clean. Enjoy!

Posted in baking, breakfast, brownies, chocolate, peanut butter | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments