Ironic Comfort

The wind is whipping.

The frost is growing.

The sky is blue but it is so mocking.

The sun is shining yet is only a mirage of warmth.

The heaters are on, to no effect, my nails are pale yet my nose is red. I can no longer feel the tips of my ears.

As I climb out of bed, my heart is heavy, I need something to take my mind of the cold which is so prominent, I feel like I am trying to slash through it with a knife.

I trudge down the stairs in fluffy slippers and my brother’s old jumper which envelops me like soft, warm bearskin and then I finally reach my destination.

The freezer.

WAIT ONE SECOND. The freezer?????

Geeez calm your farm, let me finish the story! *Ahem* sorry, as I was saying, the freezer. A blast of icy cool hits my already red nose until I cannot feel it anymore.

But like the great men and women who climb Everest, I carry on in my quest, digging past corpse packets of peas and containers which used to hold food, turned to ice. Finally, I grasp it and pry out my treasure.

I take generously, scooping until it gives away to frictional heat and decides to cooperate. And then you find me, sitting in the cold, my toes cushy in my shoes, my body all rugged up, eating a nice big scoop of Rocky Road Ice Cream to make me think of something other than the temperature.

Ok now you can say what you want to…

It’s so cold, you say you can’t feel your ears yet YOU ARE EATING SOMETHING WHICH COMES OUT OF MINUS DEGREES? WHY??

Because as I said, it takes my mind off the cold and on to how smooth, creamy and delicious and chocolate ganache ice cream is and how much better it tastes when there are large chunks of Turkish delight, salted peanuts and marshmallows in it…

Oh…

\It takes my mind to a place where I am melting from the gorgeous texture and silkiness of the ice cream and dying because every flavour hit I gets makes me feel as if I am eating rocky-road gone awesomer (yes, it is a word now)

Oh… *drools*

Is that enough explanation for you? Ironic that a bowl of soup cannot offer me the satisfaction that a Rocky-Road Ice Cream does in winter no?

Yes….

Do you have a problem with that?

No!

I didn’t think so

So I know that half of you are experiencing the same steam-out-of-mouth mornings as I am but half of you are sweltering in the ridiculous summer heat.

So here is a recipe for you both mes amis! Guaranteed to transport you to a world where there are talking marshmallows, smiling peanuts and where you get a whole lotta chocolate love

Rocky Road Ice Cream
Adapted From: Baking And Boys

Makes: 1 L

Ingredients

Chocolate Ganache

• 180g 70% dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 3 tbs cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup thickened cream

Ice Cream

• 3/4 cup thickened cream
• 1 cup full cream milk
  
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/3 cup caster sugar – make 1/2 cup if dark chocolate is too strong for you
• 1 tsp vanilla essence OR 1/2 tsp coffee essence

Mix-Ins

** Note: I added in the usual Rocky-Road add-ins but you can use any nuts, lollies, bars, candy you desire

• 1/2 cup roughly chopped salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (if you only have large ones, cut them up using scissors because knives DO NOT work)
  
• 1 King Size Turkish Delight
  Method

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, heat up 3/4 cream until there are bubbles around the edges but it is not boiling
2. Take off heat, put in chocolate and cocoa powder and gently stir until mixed together and smooth. Set aside.
   
3. In another large saucepan, add in 3/4 cup cream and milk and combine. Bring to the boil. Turn off heat immediately and remove.
4. While the milk mixture is happening, in a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until slightly thickened and pale
   
5. Temper the yolk mixture by pouring in 1/3 of the hot milk mixture while stirring continuously (to not get scrambled eggs)
   
6. Pour this custard back into the original milk saucepan and stir over low heat until it thickens to be able to coat the back of a spoon and if a finger is run through, it leaves a defined trail (approximately between 76-83 degrees C)
7. Remove the pan from heat and gently stir the custard into the ganache over a strainer to catch any egg bits
   
8. Refrigerate the custard with a piece of cling-wrap placed on its surface to avoid a skin layer forming – note that when it will be taken out it will be thicker and have a mousse like consistency
   
9. Scoop the chilled mixture into the ice cream machine and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
   
10. Place in a large container.
    
11. Add in all mix-ins
    
12. Stir around and then refrigerate 3 hrs or overnight to firm up (or eat soft serve style!)
13. Before serving, take out maybe 15 minutes before (less in Summer) and let soften before scooping and devouring

*****************************************************************************

Before I leave, I would like to pass on a couple of awards

Firstly, I was seriously thrilled to receive another Addictive Blog Award from a great blogging friend and S’mores queen, Kim over at Treats & Trinkets! Thanks so much Kim, you are too nice!

Since I just got this award, just check out this post to see its requirements

Secondly, sweet Ambreen from the fantastic blog, Simple Sweet ‘n’ Savory, nominated me for the Illuminating Blogger Award, presented to bloggers who give illuminating and informative blog content
It really lit up my day (sorry, irresistible!) Thank you very much my friend

For both these awards, I would like to nominate:

• C.J @ Food Stories
• Jennie @ The Messy Baker Blog
• Heidi @ The Young Grasshopper
• Jen @ Juanita’s Cocina
• Zoe @ Bake For Happy Kids
• Carol @ There’s Always Thyme To Cook
• Love 2 Dine
• Lisa @ Parsley, Sage & Sweet
• California Living
• Kayle @ The Cooking Actress

I toast you with my spoon

Congrats my friends

Also check it out! Lyna at ThemThreePees finally received my foodie penpal package! Yay
I did not want to write anything in my own foodie penpal post until she received the package (which I was so scared she wouldn’t) so here you are a pic of what I sent along to my buddy in the Philippines! Read more about it at her gorgeous blog!

Curry powder, lamingtons, fruit & nut chocolates, samosas

And to all, don’t let the hot or cold get to you (yes, I am including Katy Perry’s song in this too!)