They All Scream for Ice Cream!

The illusive ice cream beast. I know all the promo-videos show someone making ice cream, but it's more like a runny sorbet consistency and if you freeze it, it pretty much turns into a rock. My loyal peanut gallery had expressed making "real" ice cream from the Vita-Mix as a top priority. I was on it. Granted you have to temper it by freezing after you blend it so you can't eat it immediately. If you're looking for instant gratification, you're going to have to settle for the runny stuff, but if you can hold out, this is truly worth the wait. The beautiful thing is that you can use this vanilla base for any number of flavors. I haven't started experimenting yet, but the sky's the limit!

Toasted Coconut Ice cream

Makes 3 to 4 very rich servings

1 cup whole milk

small tin sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

6 frozen ice cubes of coconut milk

1/2 cup toasted unsweetened coconut

Place all in the container of the Vita-Mix. Start on variable #1, increase speed to #10. Use tamper to make sure the coconut milk cubes are completely incorporated.

Pour into a container with a lid, or cover with foil. Freeze until set, 8 hours or overnight.

Scoop and serve.

Well Past an Elephant's Eye

I haven't had enough corn this summer. Actually, this was my first of the season and considering we're just past Labor Day weekend, that's a crime. I'm trying to make up for lost time with this straight forward and very comforting chowder.

Sweet Corn and Squash Chowder

Makes 60 ounces

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large yellow onion, chopped

4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 7 ears)

3 cups chicken stock

2 cups chopped yellow squash

1 vanilla bean, scraped of seeds (reserve seeds for another use)

3/4 to 1 teaspoon smoked salt, or kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 scallions, chopped for garnish (optional)

Smoked paprika (optional)

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to pan, cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add all remaining ingredients to pan. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the vanilla bean. Pour contents into the Vita-Mix container. Start on variable #1, increase to #10, then high and process until smooth, about a minute. Serve with chopped scallions and smoked paprika (optional).