Van Leewen Ice Cream: NY & LA

If any thing truly positive has happened culinary-wise in the last decade, it is the advent of gourmet ice cream.  No more of the boring few flavors of my childhood which made always rather blah about ice cream   Now, thanks to companies like Van Leewen we have flavors like Earl Grey Tea, Ginger Small Kettle Candied Ginger,  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk and more.

Enjoy Ginger Ice Cream with chunks of Ginger

Van Leewen has more locations in New York than Los Angeles.  However, both cities offer Food Trucks.

Visit the website for locations: http://www.vanleeuwenicecream.com/wbtyqmpq1t3s02f84b97vtf8wb2s7s

Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop: A Portland and Los Angeles Delight

Roasted Strawberry & Toasted White Chocolate, Honey Lavendar,  Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese, and  Freckled Woodblock Chocolate are just of the gourmet flavors you can experience at Salt & Straw Ice Cream shops.

Take 1

To the Left (MCCN Editor having Honey lavender)

My friend who lived in the Portland Area recently moved to LA and asked I wanted to get ice cream.    Now, I don’t love ice cream.  I like it.  I crave it more when it is hot but gourmet ice can change your mind about what you know to be ice cream.  Nothing boring on the menu like plain old chocolate, ice cream or strawberry.  And the title of each flavor at this shop is likely to be more than one word.  Like popular yogurt shops they let you endlessly sample flavors.   Considering that the flavors are so different, it is best than you can before walking on the wild side.

Take 2

The proof is in the putting when you can bring friends back to enjoy the experience with you.   We’re not selfish like Eddie Murphy’s famous comedy skit, ” I got some ice cream and you ain’t gone none. ”  No, the more the merrier when it comes to sharing in masterful taste experience.

Visit the website for locations:  http://saltandstraw.com/

Mexikosher’s Chocolate Tequila Ice Cream

Mexikosher’s chef, Katsuji Tanabe, prepares a special type of instant ice cream.  Chef Tanabe is a Chopped Champion.  Watch and learn.    For step by step instruction for a Chocolate Tequila Ice Cream recipe CLICK HERE.

How to Make a Banana Split

The banana split is apart of American culinary history.  It is often associated a classic diner food.  A banana split is an ice cream-based dessert. In its classic form it is served in a long dish called a boat. A banana is cut in half lengthwise (hence the split) and laid in the dish. There are many variations, but the classic banana split is made with scoops of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream served in a row between the split banana. Pineapple topping is spooned over the vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup over the chocolate, and strawberry topping over the strawberry. It is garnished with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and maraschino cherries.

This banana split is featured on the Menu at Superior Dairy in Hanford, CA

Learn more about Superior Dairy

Ice Cream Cupcake in a Cone Recipe

MCCN found this recipe idea on GreenbuildTV’s photo page but we decided to tweak it a bit with a few our ideas.  

Ingredients

Pick your favorite boxed cake mix but this is Betty Crocker’s recipe.  If you are make it from scratch then that is fine too.    ( You will need all the ingredients listed on box like oil, water and eggs).

24 Ice Cream Cones

1 to 2 Containers of Frosting- Pick your favorite flavor

MCCN Suggestion Ice Cream Instead of Frosting

You will need a muffin pan

See Directions and MCCN’s Special Twist to this recipe

Ben & Jerrys 2011 Scoop Truck Tour

Want FREE ice cream? Tweet Ben & Jerrys.

The Ben & Jerry’s Truck is back in action!  This time there’s even more delicious ic cream to share! The truck will be on the East Coast  and the west coast.  Reach out to them on Twitter to have Ben & Jerry’s delivered to you.

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Ben & Jerry’s Flavor Honors Jimmy Fallon: Late Night Snack

In conjunction with the two-year anniversary of SNL alum Jimmy Fallon taking over Conan O’Brien’s NBC post at Late Night, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have created “Late Night Snack,” a premium ice cream complete with Fallon’s mug on the lid. 

The Claims: Ben & Jerry’s Late Night Snack is vanilla bean ice cream with a salty caramel swirl and fudge-covered potato chip clusters. Read More For Slash Food Rating

See Marthastewart.com for Recipe