Avocados, Ice Cream and a Dessert or Two

My husband loves avocados, which is great because we live in San Diego where fresh avocados are available year round. Fresh guacamole is delicious, sliced avocado is lovely and salads of avocado are amazing but after awhile it becomes a little monotonous. In my quest to discover new ways to use this creamy, delicious fruit known as the avocado I have found and created a couple new desserts. The first dessert I would love to share with you is avocado ice cream ( with a little help from the very informative Mr. Alton Brown). The second is all my own creation and I will share with you a little later in the week, so stay tune! Both take a little prep time, but are easily made ahead of time.

I was a little skeptical about this recipe, not for the texture but for the flavor. Avocados have a very earthy distinct flavor profile that I was not sure it would fair well as a sweet ice cream. I was very pleasantly surprised, not only was the ice cream rich and sweet but the flavor paired perfectly with the crunchy sweet tortilla and perfectly ripe strawberries.

Avocado Ice Cream Napoleons

Avocado Ice cream: Courtesy of Alton Brown

3 ripe avocados ( preferably Californian)

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 1/2 c. whole milk

1/2 c. sugar

1 c. heavy cream

Pit and remove avocado from skin. Place in blender with lemon juice, milk and sugar. Blend until smooth. Transfer to mixing bowl and whisk in heavy cream until combined. Place in refrigerator for 4-6 hours until temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove from fridge and place in prepared ice cream maker. Churn 5-10 minutes. Place in freezer 2-4 hours to set up.

Strawberry Sauce:

6 ripe strawberries

1 tsp. vanilla bean paste

Puree strawberries and vanilla bean paste in blender to desired consistency.

Deep fried Tortillas:

canola oil about an inch in cast iron pan

3 tortillas ( cut to desired shape with cutter)

1 tsp. good cinnamon

1/4 c. sugar

Heat oil to 350 degrees. Place tortilla in oil carefully and fry until very light golden brown. 1-2 minutes, turning while cooking. Remove and place on paper towel to drain. Sprinkle with sugar mixture.

To assemble:

Spoon small amount of strawberry puree on plate.Place one tortilla on plate, put a small scoop of avocado ice cream on top. Add another tortilla to top of ice cream, garnish with ripe strawberry. Spoon a small amount of strawberry sauce around plate. Serve and enjoy!!

Show Your Love All Year Long

My husband and I do not celebrate Valentine's Day. It is not because we do not want to celebrate how much we love each other, we simply believe that you should show your partner how much you love them each and every day. So, in celebration of everyday being a day to show your significant other how much you love them I present you with mocha creme brulee.

Creme Brulee is simple to make, decadent to eat and the perfect way to surprise the love of your life when they least expect it!

Mocha Creme Brulee

Serves 4

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup 1/2 and 1/2

1 whole vanilla bean

1 tbsp. crushed coffee beans

1/4 cup good cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

4 egg yolks

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat heavy cream, half/half, vanilla bean and coffee beans to a simmer. Simmer on low 10 minutes. Add cocoa powder to hot mixture and whisk to incorporate. Strain mixture into a bowl to seperate vanilla bean and coffee beans from the custard.

Place egg yolks and sugar in bowl and whisk until thicken and light yellow in color.

Add a small amount of hot cream mixture to egg mixture, whisking while pouring. Pour remaining cream mixture into tempered egg mixture, whisking while pouring in a steady stream.

Divide creme brulee into 4 ramekins and place in 8x8 cake pan. Place into preheated 325 degree oven, fill pan with hot water halfway up the ramekins. ( this is called a water bath and will keep your custard smooth and creamy)

Bake 35-40 minutes until set in the middle.

Chill creme brulee once cooled in the fridge. Before serving sprinkle with granulated sugar and use your kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar. If you do not own a kitchen torch simply put under broiler in your oven for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Remove and chill.