Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home
by Jeni Britton Bauer [641.862 Bau]

The colorful graphics -- spoons of multi-colored ice cream flavors -- on the cover of this book grabbed my attention immediately. The author is the owner/operator of a chain of gourmet ice cream shops in the Columbus, Ohio area, and here shares her philosophy of ice cream construction and use of fresh, seasonal, regional and thematic ingredients. Nearly all of the recipes in the book are built around a simple ice cream base of frozen yogurt base, and Jeni gives the scientific and culinary reasons for how add-on ingredients affect both the chemical balance and the taste experience for her rather unorthodox flavor combinations. Bauer's recipes are designed around the use of a table-top electric ice cream machine, with its clear cover so that you can see the ice cream as it churns. So...if you've got an ice cream machine that's not so sophisticated you may be handicapped. However, if you've got the right equipment, and you're up for some intriguing experimentation, this book is for you. Bauer organizes the book into "seasons", and each season has some flavors I'd love to try making, including: Savannah Buttermint Ice Cream, Sweet Basil and Honeyed Pine Nut Ice Cream, Sweet Potato Ice Cream with Torched Marshmallows, and Brown Butter Almond Brittle Ice Cream. Some recipes require some advance preparation for some of the ingredients, but many require very little time. The illustrations are gorgeous, and Bauer includes instructions on preparing various sauces and other toppings, as well as how to make waffle cones. She also includes an index to sources for uncommon ingredients. All in all, this is a delicious cookbook. If you love ice cream, give this one a try! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[ official jenisicecreams.com web site ]

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