AI Ice Cream - Make Mine A Melting Cone!

So what, you might ask, has AI got to do with enjoying an ice cream cone? 

Well, when you're not eating ice cream, you might want to find some great ice cream images to send in social media messages to friends and loved ones or to print on a homemade card for someone's birthday or other celebration.

You can of course use Pixabay which is a great free platform but the time has arrived when it's easy to make your own ice cream images using AI bots and text prompts just from ideas in your own head.

AI and the Virtual Ice Cream Cone

The other day I decided to have a go and see what kind of AI ice cream I could conjure up. With so many real photos of my own, I looked through my archive and realised that the one type of photo that is always difficult to capture is of  melting or dripping ice cream. To me, the idea of scoops of ice cream topped with sauce all melting together down the side of a cone is a simply delicious prospect! So, I worked out the text prompts that would work best in one of the AI image bots and here's what I came up with .....

 

 

Wow! A vanilla cone with strawberry sauce topping all melting yet still edible.OK, thought, so how about taking it a step further and adding more flavors of ice cream and sauce. 

 

This was the result  ....

For my first attempt I was rather pleased. 

AI is likely to change people's lives in the same way the mobile phone has. Many people will doubtless conjure up lots of delicious ice cream recipes and photos with AI. However, the one constant in any REAL kitchen will be the freezer or ice cream machine that allows us to readily enjoy creating REAL  homemade ice cream to enjoy.

Guanaja Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate ice cream has to be one of the most popular treats on the planet. No surprise then that tv chefs and commercial ice cream makers seem to fall over themselves to come up with ever more variations!

When I was a child there was just one type of chocolate ice cream! Maybe that's why I got into ice cream making, because when it's homemade your only limit is your imagination!

Here are some of my favourite recipes for chocolate ice cream that you can make at home. Some have a custard base and others use a combination of heavy cream, milk and sugar.

Milk chocolate ice cream
White chocolate ice cream
Chocolate chip ice cream
Mint chocolate chip

Oh and there's a really quick and easy chocolate ice cream if you're in a hurry :)

Having covered the basics let's now move on to the exotic!

Chocolate, of course, is not just chocolate - there are many types with different percentages and grades of cacao. Guanaja chocolate for example. Ever heard of Guanaja? It's a little island in the Caribbean first discovered by Christopher Columbus more than 500 years ago and it was where he came across cacao for the very first time. The cacao that grows there makes a dark and intense tasting chocolate. What many chocolate experts would call a 'true' chocolate.

I recently chanced upon a special 'artisan' chocolate ice cream in France made with 80% Guanaja chocolate and ginger. Wow! It was one of the strongest, bitter chocolate ice creams I've ever tasted and the ginger gave it a great extra kick.

Guanaja chocolate with ginger ice cream cone

The same artisan ice cream maker used 80% Guanaja chocolate to create another unique ice cream flavor, combining it with yuzu and lime zest! Again, a very strong and intense flavour with a sharp hint of citrus. The yuzu also gave the ice cream a lovely aroma!

Guanaja chocolate with yuzu and lime zest

Note: Yuzu is popular in Japan for making marmalade and also it's aromatic oil is used for bathing most traditionally at the Japanese winter solstice (Toji). How's that for a nice extra fruity fact :)

So there you have it - Guanaja chocolate ice cream in 2 extraordinary combinations.

All I need now is to get my hands on some Guanaja chocolate and then I can adapt my standard custard base chocolate recipe by replacing the cocoa powder and regular milk chocolate with the  Guanaja chocolate. Can't wait!

Ice Cream Bear For A New Baby

One of the best recipes in life is the recipe of a happy family. Recently my Mother shared with me the lovely news that my cousin Gillian's son Mark and his wife Emma had been blessed with the birth of a beautiful daughter Isobel Gillian.

My cousin Gillian passed away sadly not very long ago but I know she would have been thrilled at the birth of a grand-daughter.

So is there an ice cream connection in this story? Well, yes actually, there are 2 ice cream connections and I would like to share them with you today.

First of all, I have had a lifelong passion for ice cream with many happy childhood memories related to enjoying ice cream. As a child I spent many happy hours playing with my cousins Terry, Janette, Glyn, Allan and Gillian. My cousin Gillian was the eldest amongst us and she would invariably be charged with ensuring we didn't get into too much mischief. Occasionally an ice cream van would come along when we were out playing and we would rush into whichever cousin's house was nearest to see if we could persuade an aunt or uncle into allowing us an ice cream treat. We had the occasional success but invariably it was too close to tea-time for us to be allowed an ice cream on the basis it would ruin our dinner. Try telling that to a 8-12 year old group of cousins and getting them to believe you! Occasionally, however, our families would go together on a day trip to the seaside (usually Scarborough or Bridlington in Yorkshire) and this was the most likely bet for us all to get an ice cream treat. Oh how we enjoyed those ice cream cones - happy days :)

Secondly, my cousin Gillian's sister Iris once knitted me a wonderful white polar bear holding an ice cream cone. She's called Paula Bear and sits beside my desk in my study watching me write my blog.

Whenever I see Paula Bear I cannot help but smile. It is a treat that little Isobel Gillian will also get to enjoy because Iris has knitted one for her too. Lucky little girl! I hope that Isobel Gillian will follow in the footsteps of her grandmother and her cousins and develop a lifelong love of ice cream. Oh what fun awaits!

Waffling With Ice Cream

I have always thought that ice cream is one of the most versatile foods you could imagine. It may be regarded as a dessert but there are so many ways of presenting it. Here are just a few to get your mouth watering and your imagination running .....

Ice Cream Cone - The history of the ice cream cone makes for interesting reading. Click here for my dedicated page.

3 flavor cone - almond (blue), coconut, dark chocolate

Ice Cream Tub - scoops of your favorite ice cream topped with whipped cream.

With Fruit - like this delicious French dessert 'poire belle helene' ....

Poire Belle Helene - real vanilla ice cream, stewed pear and chocolate sauce

Knickerbocker Glory - A traditional and essentially English sundae, this was my late father's favorite way to enjoy ice cream. A glorious mix of fresh fruit, ice cream, fruit sauce (coulis) and whipped cream, not forgetting the cherry on top.

Knickerbocker Glory

Ice Cream Sandwich - great for the kids when you want to treat them.

Small Sundae - 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream with strawberry sauce and fresh strawberry on top.

 
Giant Sundae (the kind served at great ice cream parlors!)

Giant chocolate sundae with meringue, flaked almonds

Pancakes (Crepes) - a favorite with ice cream in many ice cream parlors and cafes in Europe

Apple Pie - mmmmm ... hot apple pie with real vanilla ice cream. You can't beat it!

Profiteroles - There's nothing quite like profiteroles made with real vanilla ice cream. The chocolate sauce and soft pastry just blend together so well. Defintely one of the best melt in the mouth desserts!

Real French profiteroles - see the vanilla pod seeds in the ice cream

Waffles - In many countries they serve hot waffles with cream and chocolate sauce or preserves or honey. My husband will not consider a waffle a treat, however, unless it comes with ice cream! His favorite is a hot waffle smothered in chocolate sauce with a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of chocolate ice cream and topped with whipped cream.

Simply Bananas About Ice Cream

Ice cream cones are always welcome on a warm sunny afternoon whilst out walking. It doesn't matter which country you might be in or where you might be walking because there is just something perennially attractive about a simple ice cream cone.

The only problem tends to be choosing a flavor because there are so many to chose from. I was at any ice cream parlor the other day where there were no less than 30 ice cream flavors on display, some of which I had never seen before and that's saying something!

Amongst the flavors on offer were chestnut, saffron, prune and goat's cheese and the parlor owner was kind enough to give me a taste of them all. How's that for sharing in a passion for ice cream!

The fact that I had just had an appetizing lunch meant that I didn't feel adventurous enough to try any one of those really unusual flavors but I promised myself I would return another time and do so :)

So what did I settle for? Simple banana ice cream. Absolutely delicious.

 

If you fancy trying some at home here is my own simple and easy banana ice cream recipe. It's ideal for when you're in a rush or need a quick treat using simple ingredients. It also doesn't require any eggs. 

 

Jack Russell Loves His Cone

Everyone loves ice cream - even cats and dogs. In fact, it's not just fun for them to have a taste occasionally but it can be very therapeutic. For those of you who haven't been following this blog for very long, I featured a heartwarming story 4 years ago about a Jack Russell called Woodso (pictured left) whose life was saved by eating ice cream. Sounds crazy perhaps but true! Read Woodso's story here and how his recovery after emergency surgery was aided by eating ice cream.

So why mention Woodso? Well, I was browsing YouTube and was reminded of his story when I came across a video of another Jack Russell with a fondness for ice cream - I just had to share it with you. The constant tail wagging says it all and the relish with which he tackles the cone is a joy. I dare you not to smile :)

Best Ice Creams Of 2012

On the last day of 2012 I thought I'd feature 3 of my favorite ice cream photos of 2012.
Here they are .... I hope you enjoy them!

Photo 1 - One of the creamiest, sweetest ice cream cones I've ever had!
New York Cheesecake ice cream and candy apple ice cream in a waffe cone.

Photo 2 - One of the smoothest and most indulgent of combinations in a cone:
Dark chocolate ice cream and real vanilla swirled with salted caramel.

 

Photo 3: On a tray about to be served together in a French seaside ice cream parlor:
Banana split with strawberry and vanilla ice cream and a mint choc chip/vanilla sundae. Notice the lashings of chocolate sauce on both sundaes!

May 2013 bring ever more delicious ice cream into all our lives!

Doggie Ice Cream

Animals of all kinds love ice cream. I've seen videos of cats, horses, rabbits, birds and even a lizard tucking into some ice cream! Click here to see a selection of fun video clips.

Dogs, it seems, love ice cream possibly more than any other animal. I know that from personal experience having shared many an ice cream cone with my Yorkshire Terrier Josie as I grew up. I never stopped to think about why that was but have since learned that dogs don't have sweat glands, hence why they pant when they're hot. So licking ice-cool ice cream is a big draw for them.

Last month I was having dinner with my family in seaside restaurant, opposite a big and very popular ice cream parlor. A family of 4 came along, bought an ice cream cone each and sat down on a bench at the side of the parlor to eat them. They had a beautiful golden retriever with them and it was obvious he was a big ice cream fan! I watched with fascination at what happened next. These pictures tell the story .....

Dog watches everyone eating their ice cream cones. He's calm but clearly interested .....

 

His interest starts to turn to excitement ....

Taken across to one of the ice cream vending machines, he's clearly on his best behavior!

He gets his reward ...

 

Seaside Ice Cream - Memories Are Made Of This

Ice cream at the seaside - there's little to beat that combination!

The chance to indulge in some locally made ice cream whilst walking in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh, sea air is truly something to relish. It's one of my fondest childhood memories. Usually the local ice cream parlor figured in the equation too!

I particularly remember my father being easily swayed into buying ice cream at the seaside. In fact, it was often his idea to get some, particularly if there was a chance of getting a Knickerbocker Glory somewhere! It was his favorite ice cream sundae. If a sundae wasn't on hand, he was always  happy to have an ice cream cone.

My father had a great sense of fun and ice cream was often part of that fun. I have many happy memories of him, smiling whilst enjoying some ice cream - and not just at the seaside but lots of places. In fact, anywhere where ice cream might be available!

The seaside, however, was always my father's favorite place for an ice cream. This photograph was taken by my mother 4 years ago at the seaside resort of Bridlington in Yorkshire, England.

My father is on the left with my Uncle Ron (my mother's brother) on the right.

What sets them apart is that they each chose a different ice cream - my father an ice cream cone and my uncle Ron a tub of ice cream with a small spoon.

What they share in common is the wonderful wry smile on their faces, probably no different from when they were boys, acknowledging the fun of a special treat - and clearly enjoying every minute of it! Happy days :)

To my Uncle Ron who recently suffered a broken shoulder I would just say:
"Please get well soon and keep eating that ice cream to build yourself up!"

To my father who passed away 3 years ago today I say:
"Thanks for the memories Dad, especially the ice cream ones!"

The angels will surely get an ice cream treat today if he has any say :)

Ice Cream Cones & Sundaes On National Ice Cream Day

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day by enjoying some of your favorite ice cream. If you make ice cream then here are some popular ice cream recipes as well as a few unusual ice cream recipes you might like to try.

If you don't have the time to make your own ice cream then you could visit one of the many ice cream parlors that will no doubt be open on National Ice Cream Day and enjoy a great ice cream sundae. 

If an ice cream sundae is too much for you then a simple ice cream cone is always a great option. Take a friend along and buy 2 ice cream cones .... or even 3 ice cream cones!

Ice Cream Cone For Jefferson & 4th July

Yes one of the biggest ice cream days of the year has finally arrived - 4th July.

It seems more people make ice cream for 4th July celebrations than for any other time of year. Don't believe me? Check it out on this  culinary blog post entitled 'Ice Cream For Jefferson & 4th July'. If you follow the link it will also provide you with a FABULOUS Rocky Road ice cream recipe - I know it's good because it's one of my own!

If you don't feel like making ice cream today, that's OK .... just don't deny yourself of the pleasure of eating some though! Just go out, find a great ice cream parlor and grab a delicious ice cream cone like the one pictured here (chocolate and mint choc chip ice cream). Delicious!.

Happy 4th July! 

Eating Blue Ice Cream With A Spoon

Ice cream cones are always a pleasure to eat but the colour you choose can add even greater appeal.

For this cone that I photographed, my husband chose these 3 scoops of ice cream for the combination of taste, texture AND colour. What are they?

Rich chocolate ice cream
Coconut ice cream
Vanilla and almond ice cream (the blue one!)

All of these ice creams were made by our friend Jerome Paradis in France and served by him personally at this ice cream parlour.

Notice the two small plastic spoons in the ice cream? In France this is common as many people prefer to use a spoon rather than risk getting the ice cream all over their face!

Coming shortly on the ice cream recipes website is an exclusive interview with Jerome, one of the finest ice cream makers in SW France.

I have my ow recipes for chocolate ice cream and coconut ice cream if you want to try making some. Just follow the links ... and have fun!

Summer Ice Cream - Picture 7

Summer Ice Cream - Picture 7
Almond ice cream photographed at an ice cream parlor in France.



Read more about ice cream parlors

Summer Ice Cream Treats - Picture 3

Summer Ice Cream - Picture 3
Taken in France on the beautiful Île de Ré in the Vendée region of France, this picture shows a close up of a delicious ice cream cone. It wasn't around for long!


I remember the day well because the camera had been really busy! We came back with shots of all sorts of interesting things we had seen along the route including pictures for a variety of sites and blogs that I'm involved with (medieval recipes to ghostly ancient castles and more!).

Back to the sublime .... read more about French ice cream. There's nothing quite like it :)

PS. Just conducted a poll on my ice cream recipes Facebook page. I asked how people liked their ice cream served - in a cone, a bowl, or some other way. Ice cream cone was the winner! As a result I've started a Facebook cone gallery

PPS. If you like the look of this ice cream, here is a great page about Vendée food and wine. When it comes to food, whether starters, main courses or desserts, the French really do have that 'savoir faire'.

Summer Ice Cream Treats - Ice Cream Picture 2

Summer Ice Cream Picture 2
An ice cream cone with a single scoop of creamy ice cream and a chocolate flake. Looks tempting doesn't it?

Well, you would be wrong to be tempted!

Not because of the calories - far from it .... this ice cream cone is not even edible!
It's an ice cream display cone made of plastic and was part of a display in an ice cream shop window that I passed.

A Love Affair With Ice Cream - From Boy To Man

Today I have 3 ice cream pictures to share with you. Why these 3? Well, whilst they were all taken on different days and in entirely different places, they do have something rather special in common - they reflect the passion that the male species has for ice cream!

From toddlers to teenagers to businessmen, the male species has a fondness for ice cream that appears to know no bounds.

Little 2 year-old Dylan not only loves his ice cream cone with chocolate flake so much that he gets it everywhere in his haste to devour it but he positively enjoys making a mess and getting lots of attention in doing so. Wonderful!

When he gets older, however, his self-consciousness will start to kick in and, as a young man, looking cool and trendy, he will probably endeavour to handle his ice cream cone a little more carefully as Oliver does in the second picture. (Photograph taken outside an ice cream parlour in The Vendée)
When it gets to the level of a businessman, however, it becomes a little more tricky .... how to enjoy a treat of an ice cream cone without getting it all over the suit, shirt and tie. Paper napkins at the ready chaps!

If you believe the old saying that the way to a man's heart is his stomach, then be sure to have some good homemade ice cream on the menu!

A Lifelong Love Of Ice Cream

I have written many times before about how I was brought up to enjoy ice cream as a special treat and with a sense of fun.

My late father perfected the art of how to truly appreciate a good ice cream sundae, his favourite being the Knickerbocker Glory. So it was that he became my 'Knickerbocker Glory Champion' and the memories of our visits to ice cream parlours at English seaside resorts when I was a child will stay with me for ever.

Well, the family tradition continues throughout all 3 generations of my family that are still living, from my mother to myself to my son. Here is my mother (Betty) enjoying an ice cream cone whilst out on a recent walk with us. Notice the experience of years of handling ice cream cones - the paper tissue delicately wrapped around the base of the ice cream cone and not a splash of ice cream anywhere on her clothes :)

I am delighted to share this picture with my Blog Of Ice Cream readers especially today - on what is my mother's 79th birthday.

Happy Birthday Mum!

Ice Cream Cone Holder - A Welcome Idea

Have you noticed how, whenever you eat an ice cream cone there's always a bit which melts without you noticing and drips down onto your fingers? It then risks getting on your clothes and, what's more, it tends to all gather at the base of the cone and make it soggy and sticky.

Some people would say that's part of the fun of ice cream and when I was a child I would definitely have agreed .... but now? Well, I must admit to finding myself clutching a paper tissue in readiness before I even get served at the ice cream counter!

Countenance my delight, therefore, when I was recently handed an ice cream cone in its own paper cone holder - free of charge and without asking. It was even branded with the local ice cream maker's name .... a nice little marketing ploy and one I wholly congratulate them on.

Here's a picture of the mint choc chip ice cream cone my son chose - you can see the paper cone holder quite clearly.

FOOTNOTE: In N. Ireland they use the term ice cream poke instead of ice cream cone.

An Ice Cream Puzzle

Here's an idea for anyone with children to keep entertained this summer vacation.

If it's been a hot day or rainy day and they want to spend a while indoors, here are some ice cream jigsaws they can do on their PC. They are free to download and easy to use.

As they complete the jigsaw, help them celebrate with an ice cream cone - whether it's homemade or from the ice cream truck doesn't matter.

Summer and ice cream were made for each other.

The Ice Cream Smile - A Unique Phenomenon

I love to see people eat ice cream - because they invariably smile! And it's a smile different to any other you will see. I demonstrated this last summer in a my ice cream blog when I wrote a post which featured a wonderful little ice cream parlour. People of all ages it seems are happy to be photographed eating their ice creams and very few ever have straight face when doing so!

I think this is a phenomenon unique to ice cream.

And if you need more proof, just look at this ....

Captured on camera by his dad Paul, sweet little Dylan Robinson happily tucks into an ice cream cone.

Without a care in the world for where it ends up - on his nose and face, hands, his high chair or indeed on the floor where apparently the faithful family dog Nelly patiently waits to lap it up - the look on his face is unquestionably what I call ....

THE ICE CREAM SMILE