The Art Of Making Gelato: 50 Flavours To Make At Home by Morgan Morano

The Art Of Making Gelato: 50 Flavours To Make At Home is a hefty hardback book which really does have a huge range of gelato, and a few sorbets for you to make yourself. Proud of her Italian heritage, Morgan Morano shares her passion by teaching the tradition of 'True Italian Gelato'.

In the introduction we are told that Gelato (Italian Ice Cream) differs from American Ice Cream in 3 specific ways - Gelato is lower in butterfat, it is denser than American ice cream, and Gelato is served at a warmer temperature.

A Halloween Trick And Treat at Gulliver's World, Warrington

Yesterday we had a smashing day out at Gulliver's World in Warrington. We only took the 2 little boys as the teenagers were all elsewhere, and that was ideal because Gulliver's World is a theme park especially suited to families with children aged 2-13. On the way home our 6 year old pronounced it "the best day ever".

Set in spacious grounds, but compact, incredibly flat and easy to walk around, even for younger children, Gulliver's World has over 90 rides, shows and attractions. 

Strawberry Vanilla 4 ingredient, 5 minute Ice Cream

After the success of my Really Easy Victoria Sponge, the second recipe I've tried in the Duerr's 'Baking For Boys' series is Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream.

I've never made ice cream before, I always thought it was incredibly hard, time-consuming and complicated....apparently not! It took us 5 minutes to make this and it only has 4 ingredients. Bob it in the freezer and come back to it 3 hours later. Job's a goodun.

Ready to go in the freezer

Their tip about covering it with cling film while it sets certainly worked well. I had a tiny bit of ice on the top surface of my ice cream, but none throughout.

 The ice cream is incredibly soft and easy to scoop.

And the verdict?

Oh my. I've been missing out. This is amazing. The taste is one that you rarely find anywhere and only usually get with incredibly expensive ice cream. The Duerr's jam gives a perfect flavour that is really full of strawberries, but doesn't completely overpower the vanilla. It's absolutely delicious and immediately I started looking at everything else in my cupboard to see what other flavours I can make. I can't believe it was that easy. I can't believe I missed out all this time!

I've got Raspberry jam ice cream setting in the freezer for tea......

I was sent the jam to add to this recipe. And very delicious it was too.

Ice Cream Bread - yes, really!

One of the most popular sensory activities of any family has to be cooking, and my lot love it. I was really delighted yesterday to spot a link posted on Google+ for Ice Cream Bread.  This is the most simple and awesome recipe ever, and it's seemingly foolproof, I knew my lot would love it...

1. Put two cups of ice cream (any flavour) into a mixing bowl ~ we used 1 cup of vanilla and 1 of Chocolate.

2. Add one and a half cups* of self raising flour and mix until all the flour is moistened.

3. Place the mixture into a greased bread tin, and place in the oven for 45 minutes at 180C.

4. Leave it to cool

5. Eat  

*A 'cup' is an American measurement of volume roughly equal to 16 tablespoons/240ml, we used a small mug. 

Despite this being the easiest recipe of all time, and only having 2 ingredients, my daughter managed to put in only half a cup of flour....

Attempt no.1

 

 If yours looks like this ~ it's wrong!

 And you'll end up with this......which is kinda tasty, but a bit.....jelly inside...

 Attempt no.2

However we aren't that convinced this is right either ~ I think there may be a little too much flour

The verdict is don't leave a 13 year old in charge, and that when you use the right amount of flour, it really is a type of bread. It even smells like bread and is better buttered and still warm. It's really tasty, if a little heavy.

It's got a hint of ice cream, but not as much as you'd expect, and it's hardly sweet at all. It does have an ice cream aftertaste though....and it was all eaten in 5 minutes...

 

 If you try it, you are probably best to slightly melt the ice cream and squeeze it well down into the cup. I'm determined to get it right at least once, so I'll have another go...


And while they were making that, thankfully I was making a standby dessert....using a simple sponge, Cookies and Cream Kit Kat, Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Icing.....and Playmobil....

And an assistant....