Scottsdale AZ – Ever wondered what makes your local ice cream shop a great place to hang out.  Maybe its the ice cream – or maybe not.  It could also be the atmosphere, the music, the scooper behind the counter that delivers “the goods” so to speak.  Well I would put it to you that it is a combination of all of these things, and the maestro that brings all of these things together is the Ice Cream Shop owner.

Yes the man and/or woman who not only gives you a big cheesy when he/she is handing over your cone, but also toils away in the back of the store for hours churning, packing and freezing your favorite treat.  It takes a special kind of person to run an ice cream shop.  So you can imagine the excitement when over 300 of these “salt of the earth” kind of people get together for their annual convention.

Its a whole heap of fun, laughter and serious ice cream eating.  For more information on what the National Ice Cream Retailers Association does to support their members and to promote ice cream generally, go to www.nicra.org

Aah Thankgiving – The Turkey, The Trimmings, The Sorbet.

Yep thats right Ice Cream Lovers – No heavy ice creams this week.  As I always say – no one wants to eat a heavy ice cream when you’re full as a goog.  So to combat the amino acid tryptophan in your system after wrapping your laughing gear around a couple of turkey legs, this sorbet will pep you up.  Its light with a bite!!!!

Cranberrys, or “bounceberrys” as they are often referred to, makes a perfect base for a tart, refreshing sorbet that is easy to make and serves as something a little out of the ordinary on Thanksgiving Day.

The New England Ice Cream Association – Since its inception in 1946, the NEICRA has been supporting its members, which touts some of the most well known ice cream stores in the north east.  The association publishes a semi regular newsletter and holds conventions and training meetings through the year to support, educate and assist their members in operating and growing their ice cream businesses.  Who would have thought that there really is an Ice Cream Convention out there.  And its not the only one.

Now you do need to own an ice cream store, or be a supplier member to the industry to join NEICRA, and as you can imagine – the meetings and conventions are all about frozen desserts.  But attendees can also attend such seminar topics on Branding their Stores, Interesting Sundae Ideas and Promotions and also business related facts such as financial planning and the like.  All sounds very boring? On the contrary.

The people in the ice cream industry are some of the best people on the planet, and they have to be.  Who else can dispell the pressures and misery of day to day life by offering you and your family and great atmosphere and delicious ice cream on a regular basis.  That person will always be the salt of the earth.

You will find more about the association at www.neicra.org

Aahh Italy;       The Landscape.  The History.  The Fashion……The Ice Cream.

This week Steve finds himself in Milan Italy, home of the magnificant catherdral “Il Duomo”, and Leonardo Da Vinci’s, “The Last Supper”.  Also the home of the Host Show – One of Europes largest restuarant and hospitality trade shows.  If you are into coffee, pastries, chocolate and gelato – than youve come to the right place.  The Host show displays new and innovative foods and products from all over Europe, and the gelato is free flowing.

Follow Steve around the show and see whats new in the ice cream industry in Italy

Take it to the Fryer

With the onslaught of cooler weather coming our way, us Ice Cream lovers need to come up with more inventive and warming ways to consume our favourite treat. Well theres no warmer Ice Cream than Fried Ice Cream.  The chinese have been doing it for decades, and it has been a staple dessert for most chinese restuarants for years.

Now you can crank out some fried Ice Cream in your very own kitchen.  Steve throws together a simple recipe that not only is great to taste, but has a lot of excitement value for the whole family.  Now the question “Would you like Fries with that?” takes on a whole new meaning.

The Sweet and Spicy Tastes of the South

This week we find ourselves travelling to the south; The Deep South – Odessa TX.  

Blanca from La Paleteria was our gracious host as she gingerly guided Steve through the sweet and spicy mine feild that is Latina Frozen Desserts.  La Paleteria is a great spot for refreshing and unique ice creams, juices and popsicles.  And there is virtually a plethora of differing tastes and sensations.

The juices, made fresh daily, are some of the most refreshing you will find, and literally any combination and flavor profile can be acheived through mixing and matching your options.  Moving on to ice cream and popsicles, there are the traditional favorites such as Cookies and Cream, and Strawberry. For the more daring, some unique tastes such as Cucumber and Chili, or Lemon and Chili are an everyday occurence at La Paleteria.

Found in several locations around the Odessa/Midland area, La Paleteria is certainly one to put on your Dessert Travel Itinerary

 The one “hot Buttered” dessert the whole family will love.

Theres nothing more comforting that sitting down in front of a blockbuster movie that with a big tub of salty, buttery Ice Cream…….ICE CREAM?!?  Yep that’s what I said.  This week Steve Christensen AKA The Ice Cream Bloke combines america’s most microwaved meal with the a creamy dessert.

Many ice cream stores around the country are pushing the envelope with unusual and savoury twists on our ice cream favorites and this is certainly one of them.  This recipe will produce the sweetness and creaminess of our favourite frozen treat with a hint of buttery popcorn.

Also try a caramel topping or ribbon to give you the classic caramel popcorn taste profile.  So kick back put your feet up and also enjoy Steve’s movie recommendation.

Ruby is the Jewel in the Ice Cream Crown of the Midwest

The Ice Cream Bloke and his crew have always sought to bring you the unique and most interesting Ice Cream Stores and recipes from around the country.  We have profiled famous stores from New York to San Diego; From Boston to Tampa, but its these small independent ice cream stores dotted all over this great land of opportunity that keeps the lifeblood pumping in the ice cream industry.

Ruby’s is one of these stores.  If you are in St James MO, maybe for the wineries, maybe for the Tour of Missouri, you may dismiss this humble establishment perched just off the main drag through town, but a stop at Ruby’s is well worth your while.  The Ice Cream is made fresh daily and the staff are very friendly.  In the short time we were there, we had customers lining up to tell us how much Ruby’s Ice Cream means to them and their family.  Even the local K9 law enforcement officer shares his alternate licks of his cone with his trusted 4 legged companion. 

Now thats love; for Ruby’s and for the animal kingdom.

The Ultimate Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert – Sorbet