How to Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
Nothing is more refreshing than a nice dessert with ice cream on a hot summer's day. July is National Ice Cream Month and here are a few ways to celebrate with some different ideas for recipes using ice cream.
Watching your weight? You can still enjoy a scoop of ice cream because ice cream is readily available in many different varieties such as fat free, sugar free and lower calorie. If ice cream bothers your digestion, there is lactose-free ice cream or you can just take a supplement and avoid the side effects that can happen from indulging in this dairy treat.
Another suggestion if you really do not like ice cream is to substitute the ice cream in the following recipe ideas for frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt comes in many flavors and many brands are just as creamy and satisfying as ice cream.
The first ice cream recipe treat is Brownie ala mode. Here is what you will need.
Brownies (store-bought or homemade and these too you can get fat-free or reduced fat)
Ice cream
Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or strawberry sauce
Whipped cream (optional)
How to:
On a plate or curved bowl, place a brownie square. Top with a scoop of ice cream.
Pour your choice of sauce on top, probably about 2 or 3 teaspoons
Top with whipped cream
This makes a pretty dessert. If you do not like chocolate you can substitute blondies for brownies.
Another tasty ice cream dessert is to make your own ice cream cookie sandwiches. The kids can help with this and it is a lot of fun.
Here is what you will need:
Cookies (soft variety such as Archway make for great ice cream cookie sandwiches)
Ice cream
Rainbow sprinkles
How to:
Allow the ice cream to soften enough to be able to scoop it out. You do not want it to be too soft because it will be harder to work with.
Place half the cookies on a cookie sheet.
Put 1 scoop on ice cream onto the middle of the cookie. Top with a cookie and gently press until the ice cream spreads to the edges of the cookie.
Here is the part for the kids to help with. Using a small cookie sheet, spread out the rainbow sprinkles. Have the kids take the ice cream cookie sandwich and turn it sideways. Roll it in the sprinkles to cover the sides.
Place the sandwiches onto the original cookie sheet and freeze until the sprinkles are set. Enjoy these tasty treats.
You can also use mini M&M's or small chocolate chips instead of rainbow sprinkles.
There are other ways to make delicious ice cream desserts to celebrate National Ice Cream Month. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of cubed fresh honeydew and canteloupe is a tasty summer treat. Experiment with different combinations of fruit and ice cream.
Ice cream can be enjoyed even if you are watching your weight. Just cut the portion down and add fruit and you can feel satisfied with indulging your craving without messing up your diet plan.
Written by Priscilla Benfield
http://www.HippyGourmet.com