O, Happy Day!

It's here! It's here!

I finally broke down and bought a proper ice cream maker. While making it without a machine is easy enough, I was ready to graduate to the next level. After watching prices for an entire year, I snagged this baby for under $40! How great is that?

It took an overnight in the freezer to get the bowl completely frozen, which gave me time to consider what I wanted to make for it's maiden voyage. I wanted to keep it relatively simple, but not too simple. Y'all know what I mean!

I've obviously been thinking a lot lately about other, warmer places I've lived. Before moving back to my hometown in Central New York, I lived and worked in the Atlanta area for five years. Before that, five years in beautiful Key West, Florida. Even after three years here, the long, cold winters still bug me--I'm ready for spring by the end of February. Instead, it's been rainy and snowy. Thankfully, the weather forecast reports temperatures up to the mid-50s (F) today and seemingly above-freezing for the next ten days or so. Dare I hope that spring has finally sprung?

Even so, the furnace still runs overnight. I still need a jacket, socks, closed-toe shoes and often a hat outside of the house. It's getting me down, man! I miss the warm breezes of south Florida, palm trees and spring breakers riding around town beep-beeping on their scooters. I miss the conch fritters from the stand outside the Aquarium, and cafe con leche.

The old-timers in Key West made it best: strong espresso mixed with sweetened condensed milk for a tantalizingly sweet treat. I didn't drink it often, but every once in a while it was just the right accompaniment on a morning stroll.

That very flavor translates perfectly into ice cream: sweet, strong, milky coffee.



Cafe con Leche Ice Cream
makes about 1-1/2 quarts

1 cup sweetened condensed milk
(I used a sugar-free homemade variation; recipe below)
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and milk. Heat in 30 second intervals on high power until hot, but not boiling. Stir in instant espresso powder until incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for several hours until cold.

Combine espresso mixture with remaining ingredients and process according to your ice cream maker's instructions. I processed for 30 minutes, then transferred to a container and froze overnight for a firm, but not hard, ice cream.

Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

1-1/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar substitute

Combine dry milk powder with water and microwave on high power for 45 to 60 seconds. Add sugar replacer and stir vigorously to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 2 weeks. One recipe equals one can of sweetened condensed milk for recipes. Note: This does not thicken like the regular canned stuff!


Note: The pier photo above is of the White Street pier courtesy of kwbill and used under Creative Commons license.

Leche Flan

When I lived in South Florida I learned how to make a number of Cuban-inspired dishes, such as Cuban-roast pork, black beans and yellow rice, arroz con pollo, picadillo, plantains in many ways, and the best of all: leche flan.

I remember the first time I tried it. I had started a new job as a clerk/typist and was being trained by the head secretary. One of the managers that worked there brought in a flan made by his mother. I actually didn't want to try it--it looked too egg custard-y. But he insisted.

Heaven.

I bothered the poor man for months; he finally relented and gave me his mother's recipe, and I've been making it myself for years. Now you can make it, too.

Mrs. Roberts' Key West Leche Flan

6 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (5-ounce) can evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract, or dark rum (optional)

Whisk together all ingredients. Pour through a wire mesh strainer into a greased pie plate. Place pie plate in a larger pan, then both into a preheated 350*F oven. Add hot water to large pan and close oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until set and firm to the touch. A knife inserted near the center should cut cleanly with no liquid seeping out.

Remove from oven; remove pie plate from water bath and cool completely. Invert onto a serving dish. May be garnished with whipped cream, fruit or fruit purees, shaved chocolate, or anything desired.