Chocolate, Almond & Amaretto Ice Cream

Chocolate, almond and amaretto - what could make a better combination?  All blended together to make the most indulgent of ice creams.

Delicious and addictive too.  Don't make this too often or the hips may well get the hump LOL.  But, for the occasional treat it's so satisfying.  To make you feel less guilty, serve this up to guests.  Not only will they love you for it, but there will be less for you to dive into.  Or maybe just eat the whole lot in secret. There are no rules, just enjoy any way you like.

Chocolate, Almond & Amaretto Ice Cream

4 egg yolks
125g caster sugar
125g chocolate, broken into small pieces (at least 70%)
300ml almond milk
300ml double cream
2 tbsp amaretto
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Put egg yolks & sugar into a bowl and whisk together until light in colour.

Heat the milk, chocolate and amaretto in a pan, DO NOT BOIL. Once chocolate has completely melted add a little to the egg yolk mixture and stir to blend well, then pour in the remainder and stir well.

Pour back into saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the froth disappears and mixture coats the back of a spoon. Again, DO NOT BOIL.

Leave to cool then stir in the cream & vanilla extract.

Use an ice cream maker (as per manufacturers instructions) or.....

Pour into a container and freeze for 3 hours. Tip into a bowl and mash to break down ice crystals. Return to container and freeze another 2 hours. Mash again & freeze a minimum of 2 hours again before serving.

Serve on its own - delicious





Pour over amaretto infused chocolate syrup for a truly indulgent treat!

I'm submitting this recipe to Bloggers Scream for Ice Cream for this month's chocolate challenge at Kavey Eats blog.

Please don't leave without leaving a comment, I'm sure you must have something to say if you've read the post. We enjoy reading all comments and visiting you in turn too. Whilst here, you are invited to participate in our monthly blogger event The Soup Kitchen. Each month we showcase a new theme, Come view here all bloggers are welcome and we look forwarding to reading all your submissions, past, present and future.

Gok Cooks Chinese? And the Fairy Hobmother Visits.

I was a little surprised to discover our very own Gok Wan hosting a cooking show for Channel 4.  I doubt I'm the only one either.  Afterall he is best known for his fashion fixes and showing others how to dress; and do it in style at affordable prices too.  That's fashion, what does he know about food?

Well it seems he does know about food and I for one was pleasantly surprised by the show last Monday.  Were you too?

Great British Chefs have published a post regarding his new show.  It's written by guest blogger Hungry Female.

I have to say "I agree with every word" Hungry Female writes.  Personally I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and see how it develops.  What's your thoughts on this subject?

Here is a taster (excuse the pun) of the post written by Hungry Female........

Gok had it coming the moment he announced he was strutting that wok. Firstly what does a man who, when is not flouncing around the High Street trying to make frocks for a tenner look 1000% their original price, know about cooking?

Actually, he looked fairly convincing. He had a very natural-looking-one-armed-swooshing of ingredients in a wok. The sign of someone who has actually been paying attention to Poppa Wan whilst growing up. The tips given out were also what my mamma passed down to me. For example, when frying rice it is much better to use rice from the day before – this means each grain will be nicely separated from the next giving you an even spread of rice and fillings.

Lemon and Ginger Sole with Gok's Foolproof Rice

The Holy Trinity of Chinese ingredients, spring onion, ginger and garlic, really is very central to Chinese cooking across the board – use this as your flavour base, build on it and you’re onto a winner. And what I really liked was how he regaled quotes from his Dad, which again sounded exactly what any Chinese parent would say, “(the) Chinese will eat anything!”, “Fried Rice is the Chinese Treasure Chest” and “Treat the wok like your wife, love it and adore it”.

But there were some puzzling bits. On frying rice (can you tell this part made such an impression on me?), I thought it brave to introduce lap cheong (Chinese sausage) and dried shrimps as flavour bases. These are indeed very authentic ingredients that appear in the Chinese store cupboard and just few of many goods, testament to the Chinese ability of preserving umami.

Then he opened a tin of very Spanish looking anchovies in olive oil. My guess is he was using this as a substitute to salted fish, another solid Chinese product. Why dip into authenticity and then back out though? He was after all in perfect proximity of a  Chinese supermarket and saying how his Dad’s kitchen cupboard smelt “like hell”.

Read more here.......

There is also a recipe book to accompany the channel 4 series.

 

I shall wait until I've seen the whole series before deciding to buy.  But hey, I can use my Amazon Voucher from the Fairy Hob Mother.  Maybe it came just in time, how lovely.

The other day I was lucky enough to have a visit from the Fairy Hobmother. Have you heard of her?

For those that have not, she visits the sites of people who have left a comment on another blog. If you receive a visit, you will be offered an Amazon Gift Voucher. How wonderful if that.

Thank you Fairy Hobmother for visiting and presenting me with a 25e Amazon Voucher to spend, you are truly wonderful.

Where is the Fairy Hobmother from? Quite simply she is in disguise and is really Appliances Online a great site where you can purchase all your appliance, pop over and check it out.

Would you like a visit from her too? Just leave a comment below this post and you too may get lucky.

Please don't leave without leaving a comment, I'm sure you must have something to say if you've read the post. We enjoy reading all comments and visiting you in turn too. Whilst here, you are invited to participate in our monthly blogger event The Soup Kitchen. Each month we showcase a new theme, Come view here all bloggers are welcome and we look forwarding to reading all your submissions, past, present and future.

Theme for June 2012 The Soup Kitchen Blogger Event

Hi and welcome. June 2012 will be our third Event and I've decided to broaden our horizons and offer a diverse theme.

This also means you have the opportunity to enter more then one recipe too. In fact, multiple if you choose.

Remember on the entry details page it explains.

"This event is not just about soups. The definition of soups extends so far, that we will also be featuring similar dishes too i.e Stews, Chowders, Curries, Casseroles, Tajines, Hot Pots, etc etc."

Well, that's exactly what June 2012 is all about. Potluck.

This means you can enter any of the following - Soups (hot or cold, savoury or sweet), Stews, Chowders, Curries, Casseroles, Tajines, Hot Pots, etc etc.

The recipes can be of any style and from the world over. Now, what to choose to enter. "Erm, I'm gonna seriousy have a think on that and dig into my favourites." How about you?

Good luck with choosing your recipe/recipes for Potluck June and I look forward to drooling over all the entries.

Don't forget to check out the Entry Details, shown here

 

Please don't leave without leaving a comment, I'm sure you must have something to say if you've read the post. We enjoy reading all comments and visiting you in turn too. Whilst here, you are invited to participate in our monthly blogger event The Soup Kitchen. Each month we showcase a new theme, Come view here all bloggers are welcome and we look forwarding to reading all your submissions, past, present and future.

Spanish Soup Roundup for The Soup Kitchen May 2012

Welcome to our second monthly blogger event for The Soup Kitchen.

For the month of May 2012, Spanish Soup is on the menu.

Sadly, there was not as many submissions for this month's event. Perhaps Spanish Soup is not so popular! Who knows? But, whatever the reason we still have two delicious recipes to tempt you to try them.

First up is Anda with her Spicy Gazpacho Soup from La Spelonca Vegetariana Blog. Please do visit Anda and check out the recipe.

Gazpacho is probably the best known traditional soup of Spain and can be found in bars and restaurants in any region.

A chilled soup, topped with garnishes. It's very refreshing and provides a mouthwatering starter to any meal. Or just a snack at any time of day.

Don't you just love the beautiful presentation?  It definitely says 'eat me' don't you think?

Secondly, from yours truly, Sopa de Asparragos.

Not as well known as Gazpacho but equally delicious.

I served it hot but this is also enjoyed chilled too. An added bonus is the health benefits and that it can be frozen to enjoy all year round and not limiting you to spring when Asparagus is in season.

A special thanks goes to Anda for submitting her Gazpacho Soup and presenting it so beautifully too.

Buen Provecho!

Next post to announce the theme for June 2012.  Please come join us, everyone is most welcome

Please don't leave without leaving a comment, I'm sure you must have something to say if you've read the post. We enjoy reading all comments and visiting you in turn too. Whilst here, you are invited to participate in our monthly blogger event The Soup Kitchen. Each month we showcase a new theme, Come view here all bloggers are welcome and we look forwarding to reading all your submissions, past, present and future.

Sopa de Asparragos (Asparagus Soup)

Sopa de Asparragos is a very popular Spanish soup and to be found on the majority of traditional restaurant menus.

A versatile soup that can be enjoyed both hot or even well chilled on a hot day. It's also great for freezing, meaning you can enjoy this fabulous soup all year round. Could you ask for more?

As well as being renowned as an aphrodisiac, asparagus is superb for anti-aging. It is low in calories and contains vitamins and minerals eg vitamin A, B and C and folic acid, as well as being a source of fibre and calcium.

Asparagus is also believed to be diuretc and is helpful for detoxifying. It is also known that asparagus also contains the phytochemical glutathione, which has both antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.

Sopa de Asparragos (recipe serves 2, but can easily be doubled etc)

1 tbsp olive oil
knob unsalted butter
1 onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
8 asparagus spears, roughly chopped (reserve 4 tips for garnish)
250ml hot chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)
salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
2 tbsp double cream

Prepare the asparagus by cutting away and discarding the tough, stringy white ends of the stalks, reserve 4 asparagus tips to garnish the soup, then chop the rest of the asparagus into 1" lengths.

Heat the olive oil & butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and fry for four minutes, add garlic & fry a further 2 minutes until onion softened.

Add the asparagus and cook for another two minutes.

Add the stock and bring to the boil. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and reduce the heat to simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the asparagus is cooked through.

Add the cream and blend with a hand blender until smooth.

Reheat before serving, pour into bowls and garnish with asparagus tips to serve.  Or pour into a container once cooled and chill in fridge before serving cold.

NOTE: Adding a pinch of salt to the onions when frying helps to stop browning/burning and aids in a softer onion.

Buen Provecho!

Are you wondering why there is a tasty looking sandwich roll hiding behind the soup?  I decided I wanted a sandwich with my soup for a change.  A few days ago I made a delicious Poppy Chicken Salad, there was still a little left over and as it is just so delicious, that was my sandwich for this accompaniment.  Recipe for the Poppy Chicken Salad to be posted in a few days, you'll love it.

This recipe is being submitted to The Soup Kitchen for May's 2012 theme of Spanish Soup




A monthly blogger event, see here for entry details and each month's theme.


Please don't leave without leaving a comment, we love to hear from you.

Chinese Crispy Shredded Beef

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Lemongrass & Ginger, asian recipes giveaway.

My Kitchen Snippets is currently running a fabulous giveway.

The item to be given to one lucky reader is a newly published cookery book called Lemongrass & Ginger, click the link for a sneak preview of the new asian recipe book.

The Author is Leemei of My Cooking Hut and she has kindly provided 1 copy for My Kitchen Snippets to giveaway. There are 2 ways to enter. Leave a comment at the blog post by My Kitchen Snippets and make your own blog post about it too. Then pop back to My Kitchen Snippets to leave a link to your post.

I would wish you all 'Good Luck' but I won't cos I wonna win LOL. There can be only one!

Giveaway now closed.  Unfortunately I did not win <grrrr>

Please don't leave without leaving a comment, I'm sure you must have something to say if you've read the post. We enjoy reading all comments and visiting you in turn too. Whilst here, you are invited to participate in our monthly blogger event The Soup Kitchen. Each month we showcase a new theme, Come view here all bloggers are welcome and we look forwarding to reading all your submissions, past, present and future.