suzette roberts

// Coconut Ice Cream

One could say, "For those days when you want the 'colada' before the 'piña', or when you just want to stay put in the cozy comforts of winter living, while still keeping a connection to island life—, or even to include a quiet, lazy day (or hour) with a new edition of a loved mag or curious new book, a familiar fluffed throw, and blank moments, because they too are important pieces of our balancing act." This is the flavour to take that needed time-out and to just be: the casual Coconut Ice Cream. A fresh, light and breezy, no eggs, at-home make and indulgence. Late winter meets early summer? Easy recipe included after the jump. And three lovelies from our workweek: here, here (funny truth!), and also here (as promised), to go. :) Have a restful sleep-in weekend. ~xx

// Pistachio Nut Ice Cream

'Where I get so much joy these days— working on new ice cream blends. To say I have been wanting to delve into this favourite nut flavour in its purest form, is an understatement. It's been on my quiet(er) mind for at least two years now. But, yes there's a but; I wanted the best green pistachios known, and wasn't going to 'go there' until said nut was literally in my bare hands. It remained on my to-source list. Well, said ingredient spectaculaire arrived out of the blue the first week of this year, 2020, without any request, or even warning, and I almost couldn't believe it, and after closing my front door, I twirled and had my full-on happy dance mid-afternoon, as right there and then my month had already hit a pretty high note. I am ecstatic with the rich deep-bodied pistachio bite, sweet nutty aroma, and smooth velvety elegance of this month's flavour which took me over the moon (and I'm still not back as yet): Pistachio Nut Ice Cream. :) A few beginning behind-the scenes after the jump... Have a snuggly weekend. ~xx

// Bourbon Vanilla Rum Ice Cream

And this one's for you Dad- Bourbon Vanilla Rum Ice Cream. Using the best of the best Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans, and Jamaica's finest rum, Appleton Estate Signature Blend, as well as a few other organic greats, I started working on this flavour a few months ago in honour of my dad. He wasn't much of an ice cream guy per se (although he always made sure there was a tub of chocolate ice cream awaiting me and my Lifetime Channel, when visiting-- for many of the murder movies we watched together, daytime and after supper-- I guess we could say he liked a good murder too? :)). He did however, love a good spiked cream punch, booster or otherwise, with a healthy dose of vanilla extract. I realized this growing up and more so when he was not so well back in 2008 and I was in the kitchen peeling a lot of green bananas and playing around with the blender and such. And of course he hated all the fuss, saying he was fine, and to relax! But I wanted to create a flavour that would be just his: very little sugar, lower fat milks, fine beans, and with a splash from afar of rooted red rum that was not too lost and not in overkill-- but just right, so our kids could enjoy a happy scoop, as he'd want that too. This is it! :) ...

// Milk Chocolate Mint Candy Cane Crush Ice Cream

'Tis the approaching season for a touch of mint with our more festive chocolate bites for a refreshing nod to our holidays. For this month's flavour: Milk Chocolate Mint Candy Cane Crush, I sifted rich Dutch-processed cocoa into warm milk and cream for a pure milk chocolate base, and swirled in crushed mini peppermint and spearmint candy canes into the freshly-churned milk chocolate ice cream, before deep freezing. The end result-- an energizing and elevating sensation with and throughout each deep, dark and decadent milk chocolate scoop. Our kids enjoyed the cool crunch within each silky spoon while our adults enjoyed the lighter mellow merriment of their minty moment. More behind-the-scenes beginning photos after the jump... Happy weekend. ~xx

 

// Nutmeg Ice Cream

From the Moluccas, Spice Islands of Indonesia, and our West Indies (primarily Grenada), our warm, aromatic and slightly sweet-tasting nutmeg, made 'her' way into my never-a-dull-moment dreams one winter night. And I was curious, and thought it would be a fun idea to bring this flavourful spice I without hesitation always add to our fall custards and eggnogs, to a fuller, never-a-dull-moment when awake reality too. It's said that back in ancient times, the Greek and Romans used nutmeg as a 'brain tonic' with it being known to act as an adaptogen (a calm, sleep-inducing sedative, or a mood elevating stimulant), according to the body's needs. This is true. The first of three holiday frozen flavours: Nutmeg Ice Cream. I love its simple earthy appeal and the mellow warmth it generates within, all within that first 'magical' scoop. Can we ever call ice cream magical? For ice cream lovers, this is a happy no-brainer. :) More behind the scenes beginning moments after the jump... Thanks everybody, and have a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. ~xx