Nothing Says Thank You Like Ice Cream

My blog now is almost half a year old. Even as I say it I cannot believe how much it has grown since then. From grotty pictures and posts which lasted one paragraph to a slightly more sophisticated style of photography and ultra long posts which I sincerely hope entertain you.

It is necessary though to say that I would never have lasted so long if it weren’t for all of you – the food blogging community – and my friends and family (who go without saying )

Your support, comments, encouragement and awesome networking has been the reason I have continued this blog. You all inspire me, are friendly and share the same love of food that I do. Honestly now, I cannot imagine how weird it would feel not to be posting at least once a week (though you may have to forgive me during my half yearly weeks in 2 weeks time) or replying to all your comments or commenting on your fabulous blogs

I am grateful and love you all and just wanted to take a moment from my insane stories and super long posts to tell you that. You have no idea how special you make an ordinary 16 year old girl feel

One form of such wonderful encouragement and support for me has been through blogger awards. They are cute, they are funny but more than anything they connect the blogger community together and show appreciation for each other

I was so lucky that in this week, I got awarded three more awards from three beautiful blogger buddies!

Firstly, Kimby @ A Little Lunch, one of the most homely yet decadent blogs I have had the pleasure to meet, awarded me with The Sunshine Award. Most sweet of you my friend! You too brighten up my computer screen with your delicious food!
Since the questions which accompany this award remain the same and I have answered them before, check out this post to see what comes from receiving it

Secondly, a relatively new foodie friend I have met @ Food Lovers Club (cool name no?) tagged me with the Versatile Bloggers Award!
Thank you very very much
If you have never checked out this blog, then you must drop everything and go because this truly is for food lovers only – WARNING: Do not come on hungry stomach
I posted about receiving this award from another wonderful blogger in my a couple of posts ago and since it requires you to tell 7 things about yourself, you can check it out there

Last but certainly not least, Sheelagh @ The Irish Village Pantry has gracefully given me the ABC Of Me Award (a.k.a The Awesome Blog Content Award) – how cool is that???
The Irish Village Pantry is definitely a blog I could look at all night (don’t think I haven’t tried, my parents always catch me ) – All rounded chef, perfect pictures, really it does not get any better than this!

I have never received this awesome award before so let us get to the crux of it: The rules are simply to share facts about yourself using each letter of the alphabet before sharing the award along. Ok, here goes nothing…

A: ‘Amazing’ is a word I use too much while commenting on blogs – I can’t help it because they are!

B: Butterflies – did you know even if you touch the wing of a butterfly, it will never be able to fly again?

C: Cartoons – I can never get enough of Tom & Jerry!

D: Driving – Best. Fun. Ever.

E: Elephants – I finally rode one when I went to India last – love it!

F: Finger Buns – My daddy and I share a bond over their sweet fluffy taste

G: Games – Pass the parcel anyone? A favourite

H: Halloween – One of my favourite days of the year because I love horror (also starts with H!)

I: Indian heritage me

J: Jewellery – the best is definitely rings and earrings!

K: Kitchen – one day I want to have the best kitchen in the world – easy right

L: Lindt – Sorry had to make a mention to my favourite chocolate brand

M: Meteor Shower – Something I am yet to see but dream of

N: Nincompoop – one of my favourite insults “Duh, you nincompoop!” – effective no?

O: Opera – I love operas, musicals, theatre the lot – one day I will visit Broadway I promise!

P: Painting – something which I never could do in art

Q: Questions – sometimes I ask way too many (especially in maths!)

R: Rebel Without A Cause – ILY James Dean, too cool!

S: Shopping – Yep, when it comes to the beginning of new seasons, I am the first one to drag my mummy shopping!

T: Telepathy – If I had one gift to share with my best friend!

U: My name begins with a U – crazy right?

V: “Without a P as in Venezuela” – Quoting Thomson from Tin Tin

W: Webs – my greatest fear is to get tangled in one!

X: X-rays – I love getting them – how cool is it to see your own bones

Y: Yawn – something I do much too much of!

Z: Zoologist – only recently learnt they were real…

‘Now I know my ABC, next time won’t you sing with me’

Thank you again my friends, these awards were fantastic and I had so much fun! I would now like to pass them all on to these ultra multi-talented food bloggers – Congrats mes amis!

• Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious
• Medeja @ Cranberry Jam
• Tia @ Simply Tia
• Kay @ Pure Complex
• Betsy @ Bits And Breadcrumbs
• Sugar Craving Baker (another high schooler!)
• Daisy @ Never Too Sweet
• Balvinder @ Simple Gluten Free Kitchen

*****************************************************************************
Now, um, besides my sappiness and overwhelming happiness I shared through said sappiness, you must have been looking at the photos. One after the other after the other. Since this post is already so long, I will cut to the chase for once and not tantalisingly tease as I always do – or at least try to

Maple Raisin Ice Cream. MAPLE RAISIN ICE CREAM.

STAYS PERFECT CONSISTENCY IN FREEZER ALL THE TIME EGGLESS MAPLE RAISIN ICE CREAM.

This ice cream is  my favourite I have made to date. It is soft and creamy, eggless, and has the most delicious flavour I have ever tasted. It is the perfect blend. And I am in love with it. Absolutely and utterly in love with it.

I got my original recipe from here. Bacon had to go. Obviously. Raisins had to replace it. Obviously. I also decreased the sugar to 3/4 cup and increased the maple syrup to a whopping 1 cup. Obviously.
Also I dissolved the sugar in the milk not by beating it but by heating it because that is what I find easier (just below simmering point then take off heat). And just a couple of tips:

• The mixture will be runny, even after refrigeration (at least 24 hrs) but don’t stress, just churn away in your beloved ice cream maker

So as a thank you again to you all, I make this ice cream. Since it cannot be sent around the world without melting in less than 10 minutes, I enjoy it on behalf of you all

Much love my friends