This blog documents my explorations of the little things in life that keep me happy, healthy and sane! Reoccuring themes include cooking, time with family and friends, exercise, and creative endeavors. Thanks for joining me!Hi Friends,
What is the first thing a food lover must do in their home? Get the kitchen a little dirty, of corse! I just realized that there are multiple ways that could be interpreted. The dirty I am talking about is by littering it up with posts and pans and food. Get your minds out of the gutter 
Anyway, I took home a sample packet of Smoked Chocolate Sea Salt from work last week. After pondering salted chocolate cookies or sprinkled on top of an avocado, I decided to use it in my next ice cream adventure. I did a bit of research and found a few recipes salted caramel ice cream that I adapted a bit. This was my first attempt at making an ice cream with a custard base. I am pleased to report that I ate some last night and tonight and have not yet become ill from salmonella
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
- 2 cup 2% milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 TB butter
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 tsp Smoked Chocolate Sea Salt
- Heat milk over medium until bubbles begin to form around the edges of a large sauce pan. While milk is heating, whisk together egg yolks. Once milk is ready, slowly add half to the egg yolk mixture whisking constantly. Add the yolk and milk combination back to milk pan over low heat.
- Combine brown sugar, heavy cream and butter in a separate sauce pan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and begins to melt. Bring mixture to a boil and let it boil for three minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the Smoked Chocolate Sea Salt.
- Add caramel to the milk and yolk pan stirring constantly. Remove mixture from heat right before bubbles begin to form. Place in the refrigerator until cool, at least one hour.
- Mix according to ice cream maker directions.
I left this recipe in my Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker for much longer than the others I have made. It took a bit longer to thicken up. Art loves the flavor but I personally think it tastes like a standard caramel ice cream. The saltiness and hint of chocolate that I was hoping for doesn’t quite make it through. This was also the softest, most scoopable ice cream I have made so far.
For comparison sake, the above is a shot of the ice cream fresh out of the maker with a chunk of cookie Art brought home a nearby bakery. Again, this recipe didn’t thicken up in the maker like most of the others have, yet it retained the creamy texture in the freezer. Hmmm? Anyone know why that may be?
As I write this post, I am pondering why I rarely ever follow a recipe when cooking or baking. I spend time researching them, but usually do my own thing. Do you follow recipes or prefer to go freestyle in the kitchen ?
Enjoy the last official week of summer!
Kate
I love going freestyle in the kitchen! Sometimes if I know a recipe is perfect the way it is I won’t mess with it, but I love adding my little flair to it
Ugh don’t remind me that it’s the last week of summer, lol.
Smoked chocolate sea salt is sounding pretty awesome! It must be really cool to work at a specialty food store! I love new, fun products like that but they’r usually expensive so I rarely buy them. :/
I do a little bit of recipe-following and a little bit of my own thing. With baking I follow most of the main measurements (egg, flour, baking powder, butter, etc.) but make things up for the mix-ins. It’s a good balance!
Have a great week girlie.
I almost never follow a recipe. I just can’t! It’s not in my nature to obey! lol.
I LOVE what you did with that Smoked Chocolate Sea Salt. And where can you get that (besides it being free at work)? It sounds wonderful.
I have to follow a recipe — my food seems to turn out horribly if I just wing it.
That ice cream looks so good. I could never own an ice cream maker, that is dangerous
I would love to meet at the Farmers Market sometime — late Sept maybe?
WTH??? Smoked Chocolate Sea Salt! Ohhh in some fudgy cookies please.
You are making me hungry with all this talk of icecream
I go freestyle in the kitchen! Well, most of the time. Sometimes I get scared to go freestyle, because who’s to say it’ll turn out? Usually I follow a recipe with a few of my own personal adjustments.
I want some of that salt! Yum!
Freestyle all the way! What’s a recipe?
hehe xxx
It looks delicious! I prefer the freestyle and hmph I can’t wait to try this recipe.