Farewell to Summer with Toasted Coconut Ice Cream
This post is a few days late but despite the excessive sweating and ridiculous heat I endured this summer, I am not quite ready to say goodbye. While I am looking forward to dusting off the beloved UGG boots that adorn my feet the minute temps dip below 60, putting away my sundresses brought a tear to my eye. (Yes, I know that’s a bit dramatic but this chica has a special relationship with her sundresses…even the ones with empire waists that at certain angles make her look preggers)
This summer, the last one in my 20′s, was emblematic of how fortunate I have been to make all of my 20′s quite memorable. My most memorable moment of the summer of 2010 – holding down the dance floor at my husband’s cousin’s wedding in Barbados with his 85 year old great uncle.
Yes folks – Uncle Errol is 85 years old, an avid swimmer (swims a couple hours each day in the ocean) and puts today’s fist pumpers to shame! Since I don’t swim, it took quite a few rum punches to give me the energy to keep up with him.
So I thought the best way to say see ya later to summer would be to make not just any ice cream, but the best ice cream I have made to date. Ya’ll already know I have an immense bond with the confection. But this ice cream took it to new levels all thanks to two special ingredients.
Vanilla Bean Baby – It doesn’t get more satisfying than those little gems.
And the only way vanilla bean can taste any better is when you throw toasted coconut into the mix. Don’t fight me on this – I know what I’m talking about.
This ice cream isn’t as easy to make as some of the others featured on A Chica Bakes. But I promise you will be handsomely rewarded at the end. It’s silky, creamy, smooth and sexy with a punch of flavor from the vanilla and toasted coconut. After I had it I had a jolt of energy similar to the one I got from the Barbadian rum punches a couple of weeks ago and had Uncle Errol been here we would have dance all over my living room.
If you don’t feel anything after you try it, come find me and I’ll compensate you with a rum punch or two.
Hope you all had a great summer and continue to make what’s left of 2010 memorable.
Toasted Coconut Ice Cream
Ingredients:
1 cup shredded coconut, preferably unsweetened
1 cup whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
Big pinch of salt
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
5 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractDirections:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread coconut on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, stirring it frequently until it gets golden brown.
Warm milk, 1 cup of the heavy cream, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan and add the coconut. Using a the back of a knife, scrape the vanilla seeds out of the bean and into the warm milk mixture and add the pod as well. Cover it, remove from the heat and let the mixture steep at room temperature for 1 hour.
Rewarm the milk mixture. Set a strainer over another medium saucepan and pass the mixture through the strainer and into the saucepan. Make sure to press down on the coconut to extract as much flavor as possible. Discard the vanilla bean pieces and coconut.
Pour the remaining heavy cream into a large bowl, set a clean strainer on top and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks while mixing constantly. Then scrape the entire mixture back in the saucepan. Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon. Pour this custard through a strainer into the bowl with the reserved heavy cream, mix in the vanilla extract and stir until cool over an ice bath.
Chill the mixture thoroughly in your refrigerator then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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newlywed — September 9, 2010 @ 8:16 am
That looks delicious! My husband loves coconut…perhaps I’ll have to treat him!
Joanne — September 9, 2010 @ 8:20 am
Can’t we just pretend it’s still summer? And that every week is the last week? So that I can make this every week as a farewell to summer? Because I have a feeling that once I make this, I will never stop. seeing as how vanilla and coconut are basically two of my most favorite things in this world. Plus peanut butter. Hmm. Maybe this needs a peanut butter swirl…
Uncle Errol does NOT look 85 and you do not look anywhere NEAR 30! I would go with 25 for at least the next decade or so.
nikki — September 9, 2010 @ 8:32 am
i love it…what a way to celebrate the end of summer. and you know how i love vanilla beans! love the pictures, too…i haven’t tried making ice cream yet, but i think it’s going to be my next spring’s challenge and i will definitely have to flag this recipe for then!
spike — September 9, 2010 @ 8:49 am
end of summer? no not yet! The ice cream sounds great though
naomi — September 9, 2010 @ 11:34 am
If there’s coconut involved, I’m there! Love the pic of you and Uncle Errol dancing.
Jessica — September 9, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
Oh my goodness. Is it time to put the dresses away already? No one told me! I am definitely not ready for summer to end. I am excited for fall, but this Southern California girl is a little anxious for the winter that will follow. I hope my Ugg boots carry me through!
This was the last summer of my 20s as well. Turned 30 yesterday and it is actually fabulous. Something to look forward to!
Amy — September 9, 2010 @ 1:25 pm
I think I am one of the few people who wants summer to never end (*raises hand* says the girl who finally moved back to CA after 9 VERY cold winters in Minnesota). I also think I’m the only one who has never made ice cream from scratch. I, however, am a pro at eating ice cream. With vanilla. And coconut. I’ll take 3…er…2 scoops please.
Katrina — September 9, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
I think coconut is great and can’t believe some people don’t like it at all! I’ve still been on an ice cream kick (and don’t really plan on stopping.)
Mary — September 9, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
I will follow you to the ends of the earth. This ice cream sounds divine. Kudos. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Velva — September 9, 2010 @ 6:21 pm
I think I am ready to say good-bye to summer for at least a little while. Florida heat has been sweltering this season and I am ready for a sweater-maybe, not UGG boots but, definitely ready to get the windows pen.
I think vanilla and coconut are some of my favorite flavors. Pure heaven in ice cream and all baked goods.
Cheers to you for keeping up with your husbands great uncle. I can tell by looking at him, that is no easy feat.
Shandy — September 9, 2010 @ 11:36 pm
Your toasted coconut ice cream ROCKS! Love it! Vanilla bean seeds are one of my all time favorites! I know you love coconut and you definitely make this coconut dessert a must try!
Michelle — September 10, 2010 @ 8:01 am
Oh, these photos make me wish I liked coconut!!!! And I’m loving that dance floor shot!
5 Star Foodie — September 10, 2010 @ 9:12 am
This ice cream with toasted coconut sounds just heavenly! We are still eating ice cream here though it is starting to get chilly
Tina — September 10, 2010 @ 10:11 am
That looks incredibly delicious! And glad you had so many great memories for the 20s. Love that picture of you and the uncle.
Flourchild — September 10, 2010 @ 3:38 pm
I want to celebrate with you! Looks yummy!!
Maria — September 10, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
I love coconut ice cream. Toasted is even better!
Barbara — September 10, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
I’m never ready to say farewell to summer, Eliana, but your toasted coconut ice cream is reason enough to indulge.
Nicole — September 10, 2010 @ 5:59 pm
Oh wow… oh wow… All that coconut goodness has taken my breath away. Especially those shaved coconut strands. YUUUUUM. If only I could eat your pictures.
You look so cute at the wedding! And it looks like you had a great time.
I also have UGG boots and I wish I could use them more. I mean I would use them here in the DR if I wanted to melt on the sidewalk.
Julie — September 10, 2010 @ 8:05 pm
Great pics dancing at the wedding! This ice cream looks delicious. I make ice cream even in the winter
. I want some UGG’s and certainly they would get lots of use here in the midwest.
Shyla Batliwalla — September 11, 2010 @ 5:31 pm
WOW! I’ve never attempted making ice cream … I would love to try this.
Barbara Bakes — September 12, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
Looks like a fabulous way to treat yourself at the end of summer. Love your blog!
Jaime — September 14, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
I LOVE coconut! will have to try this
we eat ice cream year round at this house! 