Let the good times churn

So after holding out for many years, I gave in and bought an ice cream maker last week. There was much rejoicing in my household the day it arrived. I had to sit everyone down and explain that no, they could not have ice cream that very night because although the churning itself takes only 30 minutes, homemade ice cream calls for patience. The bowl has to chill for ages, the ice cream mixture has to chill for ages, after churning the ice cream has to chill for ages and so on.

I detest ice creams that are too heavy and eggy, so I am leaning towards eggless ice creams. The first recipe I tried was double chocolate peanut butter ice cream and yup, it is a keeper just like I imagined it would be.

The next one was this quick saffron coconut ice cream I first noticed on David Lebovitz's blog. The original recipe is from the Delicious Days cookbook. They're not kidding when they call it quick, in terms on hands-on time at least. My modification was to spike the mix with crushed pistachios, because kesar-pista is such a classic and popular combination. Here's how I made it:

1. In a saucepan, stir together, bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes:

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/2 heaped cup sugar (or more to taste)
• 1 1/4 cup heavy cream
• hefty pinch of saffron threads
• tiny pinch of salt

2. Chill the mix overnight, then churn in the ice cream maker. Add a handful of finely chopped roasted pistachios in the last minute of churning. Freeze.

I'm serving this tonight when friends come over for dinner and will update this post to tell you how they liked it. We've sneaked a few spoonfuls during the transfer process and think this ice cream tastes divine. 

Because this recipe is inspired by another blog, it goes to Blog Bites 6: The Potluck Edition. If you try a recipe from another blog and post about it in the next 15 days, you are welcome to bring it to the potluck. Entries are flooding in and this round is going to be really fun by the looks of it. 

If you have a favorite recipe for home-made ice cream or sorbet, please share it with me in the comments- thank you! I think we'll be making ice cream practically every weekend from now on. 

With snow-white coconut milk, green pistachios and saffron, this ice cream coincidentally contains the predominant colors of the Indian flag. Today is August 15th, Indian Independence Day-

Happy Birthday, India!

Home Cute Home

In the past, I've never really had the time or inclination or know-how to do any kind of thoughtful home decor other than simply creating a basic functional space to live in. But a move to a new home always provides the opportunity to start on a fresh space and we decided to put a little thought into creating a fresh and inviting place to come home to every day. I have been reading many home design blogs and they are ever so lovely and enticing and do-able- like these tutorials on Young House Love.

I started by making a simple paper wreath for the front door. I love wreaths; just like rangoli designs in India, they add a personal touch and seem to declare that this is a home, not just a house.

This tutorial from The Red Thread was so stunning. Here is my version of it-

I used a cereal carton to cut out the cardboard ring for the wreath base. The paper came from Jo Ann crafts, a retro green design and a textured yellow one. Then I cut out leaves and stapled them in place, added a bow and hung it on a wreath hanger. It is easier to make this wreath with thinner paper; the paper I used was a little difficult to fold and staple into place, but I like how it turned out.

Canine Update

A couple of you have been asking about Dale- here he is, out on a long leisurely weekend walk. All the humans and animals in St. Louis are panting in unison, because we are going through a pretty long and relentless heat wave here.

Dale strictly does not believe in change of any sort. The first day we moved to the new place, he whined ALL NIGHT about being in this new unfamiliar place- V and I were almost in tears trying to console him. The next day we bought him a new bed. What a great investment- now this dog cuddles into his hammock bed and snores through the night. He still won't run around in the backyard, preferring to stay on the back porch where he can keep an eye on us. But I know how this goes. There was a time when Dale would kick and scream when he had to get into a car, he hated it so vigorously. Now he loves car rides and tries to climb into any open car door, regardless of who the car belongs to. It is only a matter of time before he grows to love his new home. 

Flowers for Daisy

Ending this post on a solemn note- Dale and I want to offer these flowers as a tribute to Daisy, a sweet much-loved dog who passed away last week at the age of 17. Bulbul, we are so sorry for your loss.