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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Vanilla Soft Serve

I love waking up to rain. I know that seems weird, but I love working out when it's dark to the sound of rain. It's so peaceful. I enjoyed some interval training and muscle toning this morning and it felt so good. I am finally recovering from the B12/iron issues I was having. I love feeling good!

Now, how about some frozen treats...

I'm pretty sure the frozen yogurt industry lost out big time when I discovered I couldn't eat it any more. I ate some every night...and by some, I mean quite a bit. I kind of fell out of love with it since, at the time, there weren't many products that tasted anything like what I wanted. Not only that, but who can afford some of that stuff? Um, not me. 


Well, lately, I've been craving some frozen treats. It got really cold last week and while I still wanted it, I am cold natured to begin with...there was no way I was going to freeze myself for a treat. Luckily, the weather changed in my favor! Vanilla soft serve here I come!


I had to make pizzelles too! Warning, these things are addictive. Every time I walked by them, I grabbed one. 


They aren't super sweet, think graham cracker sweet and maybe not quit that much. Just a hint of sweet with a cracker crunch. 


Sandwiched with some soft serve...yum!


Now, I know most people probably don't have an ice cream maker, so I want to play with this and see if you need one or not. This is the first time I've used xanthan gum in ice cream and I LOVE the texture. You have to be careful with xanthan gum since it can make ice cream chewy...that is not what I am looking for. I used So Delicious Coconut Milk, so there is a hint of coconut. If you are looking for dairy free milks to use that don't have that flavor, use what you like, but make sure it has a little bit of fat in it. I used almond milk in another batch and it was a little less creamy, but softened up when it sat out for a little bit. This is a starting point for me to play with...

Vanilla Soft Serve
(makes about 5 cups)

4 cups So Delicious Coconut Milk
3/4 cup sugar (I want to play with stevia, but for now I used sugar)
2 TBSP vanilla (we make our own with vodka and vanilla beans)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum 
1/8 tsp salt

Put 2 cups milk, sugar, vanilla and salt in a blender. Blend well. Gradually add xanthan gum to the blender while its on. Put the remaining 2 cups of milk in a bowl and pour the contents of the blender in with that milk while whisking. Freeze according you your machine's directions. 

Since I woke up this morning in a good mood...I am going to work on accounting stuff and taxes! I know I can hardly contain myself. I hope you all have a great day!
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35 comments:

  1. Heather (Where's the Beach)March 15, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    I can see how working out in the dark and rain could be peaceful, but it'd require me peeling myself from the bed first! So glad you're feeling better.

    That soft serve sounds great. I'll be curious how it works with the stevia.

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  2. Evan ThomasMarch 15, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    I love the idea of a soft serve sandwich with pizzelles. My inner hungry Italian is beaming.

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  3. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly VegMarch 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Oooh, I love waking up to rain! But I hate going about my day in the rain, ha.

    Your comment on my post was great. I know how hard it can be to introduce new foods after staying away from them for so long, especially when they're tied up with an ethical dilemma. I hope that you're able to beat this B12 deficiency without compromising your personal ethics and what feels right to you. Of course, that being said, nothing is worth compromising your health for!!

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  4. Tina @ Faith Fitness FunMarch 15, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    So happy you are feeling more energetic again! And finding a way to get your icecream on. That looks delicious!

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  5. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Ahhh I love making my own soft serve. Especially because I'm not a big fan of dairy! I've never tried making soft serve with coconut milk though!

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  6. PeggyMarch 15, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    This sounds like a great treat! Love the pizzelle sandwiches!

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  7. MelissaNibblesMarch 15, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I like working out in the dark. I thought I was the only weirdo! This recipe sounds delicious. Can't wait to try it out. Oh and I really appreciate you trying to use the blender with it.

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  8. Laura @ Sprint 2 the TableMarch 15, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    You even made the pizzelles! I'm so impressed.

    I can't wait to make this. Soft-serve is absolutely my favorite springtime treat.

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  9. HeatherMarch 15, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    I don't know what I would do without ice cream!!! Glad you could figure out an alternative!

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  10. EmilyMarch 15, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Mmm...your ice cream sandwiches are definitely gourmet. They look so good! Thank you for the recipe. :)

    Hope you continue to have an awesome day!!

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  11. Amy B @ Second City RandomnessMarch 15, 2011 at 12:14 PM

    I think I'm the exact opposite- I love falling asleep to rain. It's wonderful... Waking up to it makes me frown because I know I have to actually go out IN it... lol

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  12. The Carnivorous VeganMarch 15, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    That sounds amazing! Now to get an ice cream maker!

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  13. gfe--gluten free easilyMarch 15, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Pizelle ice cream sandwiches?!! Yes, please. I love ice cream made using coconut milk. :-)

    Shirley

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  14. Kristina @ spabettieMarch 15, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    SO glad you are feeling better!!

    this looks simply delicious... I love the pizzelle sandwich. I have not used that gum, I may have to try this... it sounds refreshing!

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  15. Holly @ couchpotatoathleteMarch 15, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Ok - I need to get some coconut milk ASAP to make this -- it looks/sounds delicious! And I love that you made little ice cream sandwiches - how adorable!

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  16. MeganMarch 15, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    I love to sleep when it rains. As in, sleep, wake up, hear the rain, roll over and sleep some more. So peaceful.

    Thanks for sharing your soft serve recipe. I've owned an ice cream maker for several years now, but never even taken it out of the box. Guess it's time!

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  17. SoniaMarch 15, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Your soft serve looks amazing!! Sometime I make banana soft serve and put it between graham crackers in the freezer to make sandwiches. But your pizelles look so sophisticated :)

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  18. MegSmith @ Cooking.In.CollegeMarch 15, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Those look absolutely heavenly...I don't have an ice cream maker so if you figure out how to do without PLEASE let me know!!! It'd be so worth whatever work it took :-)

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  19. LisaMarch 15, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    I've made something totally similar! I used to buy the sodelicious ice cream, but always thought it would be way better to make it and save money (and decrease the sugar!)

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  20. Lauren @ Spiced PlateMarch 15, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    ah. pizzelles remind me of my grandmothers, they'd make them with anise and it'd fill up their houses with the most delightful smell. I wonder if they're available gluten free? hmm...

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  21. AnonymousMarch 15, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    That looks absolutely delicious, Sarena! I can't wait to try this at home. I really miss soft-serve. Is there no end to all the delicious things you can make with So Delicious coconut milk? This vanilla girl is verry happy!

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  22. Alisa FlemingMarch 15, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    You are amazing my lovely! I am so going to try this recipe once I have room for my ice cream maker in that little freezer!

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  23. LifeasKristinaMarch 15, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    I like the rain too:) As long as i'm not on vacation!
    That dessert looks goooooooooooood

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  24. jess@HealthyExposuresMarch 15, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Even though I hate rain during the day - sometimes it really is so peaceful!
    The soft serve looks amazing, and I'm so excited you're going to play with making it w/o a machine, too. I'll be unstoppable then ;) The pizzelles remind me of when I was young - I remember they were a fun thing to make around christmas with my mom!
    Hope you got everything you wanted to accomplish done!

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  25. UnknownMarch 15, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    ahh I know, I did the same! I love the so delicous coconut milk. Vanilla soft serve beats the real froyo anyday....well in my opinion.
    LC

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  26. Pure2raw twinsMarch 15, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    glad you are starting to feel better!!

    I like the dark too, not just for working out, haha that sounds bad, but really do enjoy it. I am weird :)

    ice cream looks great! love coconut!

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  27. AverieMarch 15, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    "You have to be careful with xanthan gum since it can make ice cream chewy...that is not what I am looking for. "--


    when i used to use XG...I used to make my food chewy..ALL the time. Blech! I never got it down pat how to do it properly and since have realized it bothers my tummy so no XG for me anymore...lol.

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  28. FallonMarch 15, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I love pizzeles!! Where did you get your maker?

    Can't wait to try out this recipe once we move to GA. I took my ice cream bowl out of the freezer so we could start packing things up.

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  29. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)March 16, 2011 at 12:43 AM

    Apparently my grandmother just threw out her pizzelle maker- ugh!! For now I have to settle for store bought :)

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  30. ToniMarch 16, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    I got sooo excited when I saw the Pizzeles! These are a staple in my house! My grandma taught me how to make these when I was a little girl!

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  31. Natalia - a side of simpleMarch 16, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    Just the thought of vanilla soft serve has me SO ready for warmer weather!

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  32. RachMarch 16, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Ooh what a good idea! And it looks SO yummy! :)

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  33. LexiMarch 16, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    This is so exciting. I've been looking everywhere for a non-dairy blog that has such great recipes (that I can make).

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  34. Christin@purplebirdblogMarch 16, 2011 at 11:56 PM

    A friend of mine bought me one of those ball shaped ice cream makers that you toss around... I really need to pick that up from her so I can give this a try!!! I hope you're having a lovely week, sweetface! xo

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  35. Heather @ kissmybroccoliMarch 19, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    It's too hard for me to peel myself out of bed for a workout when it's raining outside...I much prefer sunshine and birds chirping! But I do love to fall asleep to rain...a good rainstorm always helps me sleep soundly!

    Your ice cream sandwiches looks so fancy! Love the sound of those cookies!

    I can't wait to try out this recipe for soft serve! I've yet to break out my new ice cream maker but this will be perfect for my first ice "cream" creation!

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