We here at Chez Blogberg have been having some fun, since October, with an ice cream machine. Perhaps a precursor to the fulfillment of the dream of opening a kosher ice cream stand similar to a Dairy Queen, but called THE ICEBERG. I would assume that creating higher quantities with better machinery is somewhat different than our one and half quart Cuisinart, but it's a start.
Until now we hadn't even made real ice cream. For purposes of Yom Tov and Shabbos our ice cream was pareve. We used whipping cream and soy milk (that way the WHOLE thing didn't taste like chemicals), and had a good time playing with different flavors and add ins. As big fans of Ben & Jerry's our ice creams were both simple and chock full of extra bits and vibrant flavors.
Right before Shavuos, one of my favorite places, Costco, had the ice cream machine on sale. I decided it was time for us to try it real. (Yes, I know, it's all cold, and one could use one ice cream maker for both, but we felt it is unnecessary for us to do so, and the purchase was made. I think back to a story I heard before Pesach. KAJ does a community kashering and sometime in the late '40s or early '50s Rav Breuer announced that they had rebuilt themselves to the point that they no longer needed to kasher pots, and could afford to purchase pots especially for Pesach.)
Well, we weren't going to start with some mamby-pamby ice cream, we were going straight for heaven. An ice cream we had made pareve would be transformed to dairy, with real cream and real whole milk. We could almost taste the sweet and salty richness of the salted caramel ice cream we were about to create.
Lucky (it turned out) for us, the first batch of salted caramel burnt. It wasn't really what we wanted anyway, too liquidy, and the cream was kind of "going," so we chucked that batch, and started new. Caramelize the sugar add just a little cream to keep it thick, add some sea salt, spread it on parchment paper and stick it in the freezer until we could chop it up and throw it into the ice cream in the last minute of the machine's cycle (otherwise it blends in too much).
Oh my! That caramel came out splendid; sweet and creamy and salty and luscious, we had to make more. So more sugar, more stirring, when BAM! my finger touched the rim of the pan. That in itself is a burn I've gotten many times, but it made me flinch, which made the caramelizing sugar on the spoon fly up, and rest in almost ten different places on my left hand. Fear not! I was not about to let another batch of sugar burn, and with one hand under freezing water, the other deftly poured in the cream and finished stirring! I think that batch was even better! My hand is still killing me, but that ice cream was so incredibly decadent and delicious.
And now I can make a real good caramel...whenever. Hopefully without the blister skin!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wrap Up
England was great. On Tuesday we went out to the countryside, Blenheim Palace and the Costwald villages. We've always wanted to see this type of thing, and we didn't go to far out, about 90 miles out of London. It was lovely. This is where we ate lunch :
The villages were quaint and old:
A great way to spend the day.
Wednesday was typically English in that it rained most of the day. That was teh day we did the most walking. The British Museum, The British Library, King's Cross Station (lots of Harry Potter fans in this house), Covent Garden, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Jermyn Street then out to dinner. We used all public transportation and avoided the famed London traffic, mostly by using the Underground. We did take a few buses, just so we could see things while we rode.
Thursday was a travel day, but we ha time for a walk down Park Lane, the Apsley House and a walk through Hyde Park. Next stop was the airport. I've never fully understood the "bad seat-mate' thing on a plane until now. There was an English woman sitting next to me, who could not figure anything out, ad asked me, and commented on EVERYTHING, in that high pitched English accent, that the best way to describe her, is probably-daft.
We made it to Israel uneventfully, and spent two hours of the wee morning walking around Geulah, me'ah shearim and Yaffo street. We wanted to get our bearings for the shopping trip on Friday. Shabbos was great, the nieces and nephews were great and it was so amazing to be in the Holy Land.
Time well spent. Now back to life and back to the kids. Which are really one and the same.
Thank G-d.
Wednesday was typically English in that it rained most of the day. That was teh day we did the most walking. The British Museum, The British Library, King's Cross Station (lots of Harry Potter fans in this house), Covent Garden, Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Jermyn Street then out to dinner. We used all public transportation and avoided the famed London traffic, mostly by using the Underground. We did take a few buses, just so we could see things while we rode.
Thursday was a travel day, but we ha time for a walk down Park Lane, the Apsley House and a walk through Hyde Park. Next stop was the airport. I've never fully understood the "bad seat-mate' thing on a plane until now. There was an English woman sitting next to me, who could not figure anything out, ad asked me, and commented on EVERYTHING, in that high pitched English accent, that the best way to describe her, is probably-daft.
We made it to Israel uneventfully, and spent two hours of the wee morning walking around Geulah, me'ah shearim and Yaffo street. We wanted to get our bearings for the shopping trip on Friday. Shabbos was great, the nieces and nephews were great and it was so amazing to be in the Holy Land.
Time well spent. Now back to life and back to the kids. Which are really one and the same.
Thank G-d.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Yes, I Am Sure
Last night we went out to eat, and based on the recommendation of my sister, who was in these parts last week, I ordered the Avocado and Chicken appetizer.
On the menu it is described as Avocado and steamed chicken in a curried mayo. It sounded good, and I vaguely remember it being described to me, so I gave it whirl. It arrived on a lovely black slab, chicken salad in a beautiful circular form a lovely bunch of watercress on the side, and a stripe of balsamic honey glaze diagonally across the slab. I saw no avocado, but assumed it was inside the chicken salad. The more I ate, the more I started to doubt it was there. Firstly, I didn't taste it. Secondly, IT'S GREEN AND NOT REALLY POSSIBLE TO HIDE EVEN MUSHED UP-especially against the backdrop of White chicken salad and WHITE mayo (albeit it was tinged a bit because of the curry, but not enough).
When the waitress came by I asked where the avocado was supposed to be, and she said "It was the green vegetable wedges that were on the top of the chicken!" Um, no. I told her it wasn't there, and she said she personally sent out the plate, and there was avocado on it. So I said maybe it fell off between the kitchen and the table, because it WAS NOT on my plate. She gave me a look and walked away.
A few minutes later she came out with a plate of sliced avocado to show me what avocado looked like. I said "I know what avocado is, it just wasn't on the dish!" she asked if I wanted it then, and I said no thanks.
The whole thing was bizarre. I commented to MBB that I hoped she wouldn't spit in my food now, but she was very nice. Even gave us an extra dessert "to make up for the avocado.' I told her it wasn't necessary, but boy was it good. (chocolate mousse, not too sweet, very chocolaty).
In general I'd say the English have lived up to their reputation for cooking. Just get stuff that's grilled.
On the menu it is described as Avocado and steamed chicken in a curried mayo. It sounded good, and I vaguely remember it being described to me, so I gave it whirl. It arrived on a lovely black slab, chicken salad in a beautiful circular form a lovely bunch of watercress on the side, and a stripe of balsamic honey glaze diagonally across the slab. I saw no avocado, but assumed it was inside the chicken salad. The more I ate, the more I started to doubt it was there. Firstly, I didn't taste it. Secondly, IT'S GREEN AND NOT REALLY POSSIBLE TO HIDE EVEN MUSHED UP-especially against the backdrop of White chicken salad and WHITE mayo (albeit it was tinged a bit because of the curry, but not enough).
When the waitress came by I asked where the avocado was supposed to be, and she said "It was the green vegetable wedges that were on the top of the chicken!" Um, no. I told her it wasn't there, and she said she personally sent out the plate, and there was avocado on it. So I said maybe it fell off between the kitchen and the table, because it WAS NOT on my plate. She gave me a look and walked away.
A few minutes later she came out with a plate of sliced avocado to show me what avocado looked like. I said "I know what avocado is, it just wasn't on the dish!" she asked if I wanted it then, and I said no thanks.
The whole thing was bizarre. I commented to MBB that I hoped she wouldn't spit in my food now, but she was very nice. Even gave us an extra dessert "to make up for the avocado.' I told her it wasn't necessary, but boy was it good. (chocolate mousse, not too sweet, very chocolaty).
In general I'd say the English have lived up to their reputation for cooking. Just get stuff that's grilled.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
We Take It For Granted
Maybe it's because every speaks English that things feel so at "home" here. Also, many products look familiar as well. But as we crosses the street today an oncoming car made a left turn into the street we just crossed, and I did a double take wondering why a ten year old boy was driving!!!
We had a wonderful day today, experiencing the best of English weather, cool, warm, rainy, windy and sunny all in a few hours time . We navigated the subways (they are very deeeep underground), went to the Tower of London, a short jaunt up the River Thames, and a walk around the Parliament area.
We debated going to the Tower today or Wednesday, and it's good we came today. Parliament starts on Wednesday, the Queen opens the session, and thus her Royal Imperial Crown will be in use, and thus not on display with the rest of the Crown Jewels.
The Tower was really interesting. The tour was great, but due to the rain a lot of it was finished off in the chapel. We had a good time anyway, and got to see everything, including a bunch of rowdy teenagers escorted out by one of the Yeoman Warders(who we had been speaking to earlier, so we knew that aside from being former military, like all the other Yeoman, he is a warranted police officer). It was so properly English. We were on our way out and he was standing near us and pointed to three boys (in a group with an adult and three other girls), and said "you, you and you-out." He then indicated who from their group could stay, and they all started walking towards the exit, down the steps , up Water lane with the Yeoman just walking behind them. He led them out the gate with nothing but his fierce attitude motivating them on.
From there we took the quick River tour on the Thames, and saw some nice things, and disembarked right at Big Ben and Parliament. The road right around Parliament was closed to traffic. We were on the sidewalk and a sign said "sovereign's entrance, and I told MBB I wanted to see that, since that's where the Queen will go in on Wednesday, but alas, we could only see it from across the street because at that point the sidewalk was closed as well. We took a lovely walk around that neighborhood, then a bus to the tube and dinner.
This trip has really shown me how fortunate we are in the US and how is easy it is to take Kashrus observance for granted. Unless you really know, you can hardly buy anything, and even then there's not that much. So next time you're out and about in the good old US of A, and you pick up some chips, or coffee, or anything, appreciate how easy it is.
We had a wonderful day today, experiencing the best of English weather, cool, warm, rainy, windy and sunny all in a few hours time . We navigated the subways (they are very deeeep underground), went to the Tower of London, a short jaunt up the River Thames, and a walk around the Parliament area.
We debated going to the Tower today or Wednesday, and it's good we came today. Parliament starts on Wednesday, the Queen opens the session, and thus her Royal Imperial Crown will be in use, and thus not on display with the rest of the Crown Jewels.
The Tower was really interesting. The tour was great, but due to the rain a lot of it was finished off in the chapel. We had a good time anyway, and got to see everything, including a bunch of rowdy teenagers escorted out by one of the Yeoman Warders(who we had been speaking to earlier, so we knew that aside from being former military, like all the other Yeoman, he is a warranted police officer). It was so properly English. We were on our way out and he was standing near us and pointed to three boys (in a group with an adult and three other girls), and said "you, you and you-out." He then indicated who from their group could stay, and they all started walking towards the exit, down the steps , up Water lane with the Yeoman just walking behind them. He led them out the gate with nothing but his fierce attitude motivating them on.
From there we took the quick River tour on the Thames, and saw some nice things, and disembarked right at Big Ben and Parliament. The road right around Parliament was closed to traffic. We were on the sidewalk and a sign said "sovereign's entrance, and I told MBB I wanted to see that, since that's where the Queen will go in on Wednesday, but alas, we could only see it from across the street because at that point the sidewalk was closed as well. We took a lovely walk around that neighborhood, then a bus to the tube and dinner.
This trip has really shown me how fortunate we are in the US and how is easy it is to take Kashrus observance for granted. Unless you really know, you can hardly buy anything, and even then there's not that much. So next time you're out and about in the good old US of A, and you pick up some chips, or coffee, or anything, appreciate how easy it is.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
You're Going the Wrong Way!
EDITED FOR CLARITY.....
We arrived safely, and were treated to an English treat, a Monty Python skit comes to life!
We got onto the train in Heathrow that takes you between the terminals, and the doors closed. We sat there and waited while we didn't move. Suddenly there was a noise that sounded at first almost electronic, however after two minutes of constant honking noises it dawned on us that it was not electronic. It kept going. The train was still not moving. The noise was constant. Toot, toot, toot. All of a sudden we heard a giggle and saw small braids with pink bows peeking out from the side of a seat behind us. More tooting. The little girl was blowing a little plastic saxophone. Continuously. I looked up at MBB, and said "Monty Python Cheese Shop." He nodded knowingly and started to laugh. The train pulled out tooting all the way to the next terminal, taking us to the Heathrow express to Paddington station.
I don't know if I will get used to being on the wrong side of the road, but we have a few days to figure that out. We took a nice walk, following the directions written on the pavement as to which way to look so as not to be run down by cabs and double decker buses. We played with some "fake money," and are looking forward to tomorrow's adventure.
We arrived safely, and were treated to an English treat, a Monty Python skit comes to life!
We got onto the train in Heathrow that takes you between the terminals, and the doors closed. We sat there and waited while we didn't move. Suddenly there was a noise that sounded at first almost electronic, however after two minutes of constant honking noises it dawned on us that it was not electronic. It kept going. The train was still not moving. The noise was constant. Toot, toot, toot. All of a sudden we heard a giggle and saw small braids with pink bows peeking out from the side of a seat behind us. More tooting. The little girl was blowing a little plastic saxophone. Continuously. I looked up at MBB, and said "Monty Python Cheese Shop." He nodded knowingly and started to laugh. The train pulled out tooting all the way to the next terminal, taking us to the Heathrow express to Paddington station.
I don't know if I will get used to being on the wrong side of the road, but we have a few days to figure that out. We took a nice walk, following the directions written on the pavement as to which way to look so as not to be run down by cabs and double decker buses. We played with some "fake money," and are looking forward to tomorrow's adventure.
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