cadbury creme egg ice cream

Do you have any leftover Cadbury creme eggs? No? Well, have you seen any in the stores for 50% off?

If you have, I have a suggestion.

Mix them into your favourite homemade vanilla ice cream -- heck, mix them into your favourite store-bought vanilla ice cream and wham bam, you've got yourself a fancy ice creamy confection.

I chose mini eggs because I like Cadbury creme eggs in miniature version. When they're shrunken, they're more chocolate than creme filling and that's what I prefer. But if you like the creme more, then go with the regular sized eggs. Either way, once frozen, the creme filling turns into a delicious chewy not-as-mindnumbingly-sweet addition and is whole-heartedly more palatable.

I chose vanilla ice cream because I did my homework. I looked into recipes for homemade Cadbury creme eggs (why do these exist?!) and discovered that the only flavourings being used were vanilla and sugar (if sugar can be called a flavour). Therefore, I figured that the best ice cream option had to be vanilla. Which also works out cuz you get to see chunks of creme egg throughout the ice cream and that's pretty. So. Win/win.

If you're adventurous and spunky like the people who are actually manufacturing their own creme eggs, you could easily take this to internet sensation level.

I thought about it.

Crack open some creme eggs, melt the filling into homemade vanilla ice cream mix, tint a quarter of it yellow to mimic the yolk, swirl that in. Crack some more eggs and swirl in the creme, then chop up the chocolate bits and swirl those in... But goodness. Doesn't that just tire you out thinking about it? Don't you have other more important stuff to do? Didn't you just want to eat some tasty ice cream and call it a day? Yeah. So did I.

{cadbury creme egg preparation}

Cadbury creme eggs (mini or larger and however damn many you please)

Unwrap all of the creme eggs and place them into a freezer safe container (don't worry, they won't stick together). Place in freezer until completely frozen (overnight is probably best). Once frozen, use a large, sharp knife to chop them up. Be careful! The first cut is the hardest cuz they're wiggling around, but after that, it's easier. I tried to get a decent mix of quarter pieces with plenty of yolk and smaller chocolate chunks and flakes for variety. Then throw the whole lot into your freezer safe container and put it back in the freezer for later.

{ice cream portion}

If you're making your own ice cream, add the frozen chopped eggs at the end of your mixing cycle. If your machine can, let it do the mixing, if not, swirl them in yourself with a wooden spoon (this is when you work off the extra calories you're eventually going to consume). Freeze until set then serve.

If you're using store-bought ice cream, put the amount you want in a bowl, sprinkle the chopped eggs on top, grab your spoon and swirl it in (and use your whole arm for mixing. Like, really go at it. Don't be a wimp and only use your wrist. Remember the calories). Bonus: This method's awesome cuz you end up with soft-serve Cadbury creme egg ice cream. Yeah. Soft-serve. You just whipped that up. You don't need no fancy machines.

{note} This works for any candies and chocolates you like. It's a pretty straight-forward method. I don't get why there are chocolate bar flavoured ice creams on the market.

carnations

I used to think carnations were cheap little filler flowers until I smelled one

did you know they smell like candy?

spanakopita

I've made a lot of Greek dishes, but I've never made spanakopita. Thankfully, Idle Husband developed a taste for it recently, so I thought I'd make it for a vegetarian night.

This recipe is about as simple as you can get. I know phyllo has a reputation of being difficult to handle, but when you're layering like this, it doesn't really matter if the phyllo dries out a little or cracks a little during the process. Since it's all in multiple layers, no one will even see it. Fool proof!

What I really liked about this is that it's hearty and healthy and it tastes really good straight from the oven and really good straight from the fridge. I had it for two breakfasts, and I know Idle Husband snuck some out of the fridge as a late night snack. Idle Husband eating leftovers cold straight from the fridge? That's really rare, so I guess that means this was good eating!

adapted from here

1 package of phyllo dough, thawed (454 g)

1 package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (300 g)

1 1/2 cups low fat ricotta (or one 425 g tub)

4-8 ounces of low fat feta cheese (I used 4)

2 eggs

2 teaspoons dried dill

1 tsp garlic powder

pepper and Greek seasoning, if you like

Mix the spinach, ricotta, feta, eggs, and spices together in a bowl. If your feta isn't particularly crumbly (like mine was), use a fork to mash it apart.

Grease a glass baking dish (it's best to use one that fits the phyllo dough as closely as possible. Mine fit the phyllo when folded in half and it was 8x11.5" or 2 QT. I wish I'd have used a larger pan so the spinach layer was a little thinner) and layer about half the phyllo sheets into the pan (I used 12 folded in half). Lightly drizzle olive oil on the last phyllo layer and poke some holes in the top with a fork for even cooking.

Spread all of the spinach mixture on top of the phyllo in an even layer. Finally, layer the rest of the phyllo sheets on top of the spinach mixture and again lightly oil the top of the final phyllo sheet. Using a very sharp knife, cut equal portions into your phyllo dough (this makes it easier to portion and slice after cooking). Place into a preheated 375 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden. Remove and let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

april recap

I had a bit of a pancake obsession.

can you see the (accidental) heart?

pancakes with chorizo slices

ihop equivalent pancakes with homemade strawberry sauce and whipped cream

And a bit of a macaron obsession.

my latest: chocolate banana with white chocolate ganache & peanut butter

too many tulips meant too many pictures

some delicious greek easter candies with amazing packaging (they tasted like chewy werther's)

I realized what a mess my thread jar was in, so I cleaned it up

I felt badly when a pair of geese discovered their home had been turned into someone else's

walking, walking, walking

friday fixations: you tube edition

{kittens} This video made me laugh! I loved going through my own old drawings and journals. It really makes you wonder what the heck you were thinking back then!


{it's in my belly} I love the style of these little cooking clips. They're so sophisticated and easy, and I (surprisingly) love that there's nary a cake recipe in sight (so far).


{sword and sworcery ep} We were having a discussion the other day about whether today's gamers would even want to play 8-bit games due to the awesome realistic graphic capabilities available now. Well, judging by my reaction to the look, the sound, and the feel of Sword and Sworcery, I'd say yes. Totally. I watched this video once and I was instantly intrigued by it. (Why isn't this on our iPod yet?)


{tom haverfoods} Please visit tom haverfoods. It's a never-ending resource for hilarious alternative food names.


{the royal wedding} More like everyone elses' fixation! Ha! I had to smile at this cheeky take on the wedding, though. So have you watched, will you watch, or did you tivo the wedding? I was too tempted to snoop so I recorded it for fast forwarding power. Truthfully, I'm only interested in things such as her flowers, decor, and the cakes, but I don't actually care for the wedding itself (I am not a fan of big grand weddings) and I have no feelings either way towards the royal family (just meh, if you will). Ah well, I wonder how long I'll stare at it on the recorded list before I actually get down to viewing it (if ever).