Almond Chai Ice Cream

I love Chai. For those of you who think of it as just a sweet, syrupy, sticky concoction, you are so wrong.

What makes the perfect chai is really the balance of fresh spices. Adding milk or sugar is just a bonus.

The other day, in the mood to experiment, I decided to try something fun with my Chai. Ice Cream!! I loved Almond Chai, though it is hard to find, so I got out my almond milk & began my journey.

I adapted this recipe from David Lebovitz’s Perfect Scoop, and it came out even more awesome than I could have ever dreamed.

The soft creamy flavor of the Almond milk was the perfect partner for the deep rich spiciness of the Chai. We actually had cups of the tea steeped in almond milk while waiting for the ice cream base to meld, and it was wonderful. We didn’t add sugar, so the tea was lightly sweet, allowing the spices to shine. This was a necessity as it has been raining here like mad.

If you haven’t tried Rishi Tea, they have lots of awesome teas! I had the delightful pleasure of actually getting to try them at the Fancy Food Show and I have def become a fan! It was quite a pleasure to smell all the different blends, which I am now trying as I can.

Luna’s Almond Chai Ice Cream

3 c almond milk

3/4 c cane sugar

2 tsp Rishi Organic Masala Chai

7 yolks

Warm milk through, but do not boil. You can steep your tea while the milk is heating, for a deeper flavor, otherwise, add tea once your turn off the heat & let steep at least a half an hour.

Whisk yolks & sugar, then add strained milk a bit at a time to make sure it doesn’t curdle. Once you have it all combined, turn your heat on low and stir constantly until ‘nappe’, (coats the back of the spoon.) Pull it off the heat immediately, strain & set bowl into an ice bath.*

*I actually did not have an ice bath, it was cold, so I set it under the kitchen window!

Cool, chill, then freeze per machines instructions.

I hope that you make this and enjoy it. If you do, leave a comment, I love to hear from you!

Feeding a Yen by Calvin Trillin

Feeding a Yen is one of the best books I have ever read. That being said, the next time I read anything by him, I will need to have a lot of delicious food handy.

Having never read Trillin before, I had no idea what to expect. Calvin Trillin now has a big fan in me for a basic reason; he's not a food writer, he's a man who writes, rather passionately, about food.

Each essay has funny and delicious moments that make the book such an enjoyable read. In 'Magic Bagel' Trillin scours New York in search for lost a pumpernickel bagel with which to bribe on of his daughter's to move back East.

In 'Pepper Chase' his focus is on peppers, but all I could focus on was that "Galacia has seafood of a variety and quality unmatched by any place I've ever been."

He then proceeds to talk about eating octopus, oysters, crab, oh and peppers. His passion for peppers is matched by his desire to eat fried fish in the Carribeian, discover the ingredients of a green sandwich and the hunt for the perfect pan bagnat.

His 'Desperately Seeking Ceviche' essay, which involves eating lots of it in Ecuador, sent me to the store for fresh cracked crab, salsa and chips for a make shift version.

The crab actually finished as a fantastic crab soup....

Trillin's writing makes me crave things I have never heard of, like cancha (pan friend salted corn kernels), Chinese Flowering Chives with Shredded Duck, leek dumplings, amba & carne adovada, for example.

And then there are the things I guess I just never imagined: Sweet Potato Cream Curry Soup, and Chicken Tortilla Avocado soup from Shopsins, shrimp wrapped in rice noodles, pan bagnat, tiradito and tourte aux blette.

and just what is Empire's Favorite Concubine Chicken, anyway?!

Regardless, I have recommending Feeding a Yen to anyone who will listen. Or basically, who walks past me. If Calvin Trillin's passion for the food he writes about doesn't move you, I diagnose you a lost cause.

I am inspired to travel further a field and pursue one of my major passions further, thanks to this marvelously enjoyable series of essays!

Luna's Pick of the Week: Redux: Coco Zen

I bought a chocolate lip balm and it was alright. Then I got my hands on a Coco Zen lip balm and discovered what I had been missing!

In so many fabulous flavors, Chocolate Chai, Chocolate Coconut, Chococlate Cappucino, Chcoolate Mint, Chocolate Orange Blossom and Chocolate Strawberry, my lips were feeling pretty good. Then I tried it: the ultimate lip scrub…cause its edible!! Oh yeah, I kid you not! And my lips have never been softer, sweeter or tastier

The best thing to do is order this: A lovely Lip Duo as it will allow you to get a great deal on the scrub and your favorite balm. Here is something else really cool: it is safe for your kids, too!

How good is this stuff really? My friend Chris was complaining about having dry lips. I, being the always prepared Aunt type, whipped my Chai Lip Balm from my pocket and presented it to him. He rubbed some on his finger, sniffed & rubbed it on his lips. This was followed by a happy smile.

So there you have it, loved by a woman who didn’t know she was craving edible lip scrub and enjoyed by a young man. A true crossover product. Even funnier? Thus far, my favorite lip balm is the Cappucino! Wonders never cease! Oh yeah and Joyce & Co are committed to using Fair Trade and Organic products, as well as being local to the San Francisco Bay Area.

So go to the website: Coco-Zen and don’t forget to follow Joyce, the one and only Coco Zen Mama on Twitter!

Luna's review of POPChips

PopChips

These popped chips are very interesting. They have a texture unlike anything I have every encountered before. I have seen them in the store many times, so it was a fun experience to try them at the Fancy Food Show.

The chips are made with natural ingredients and currently come in five flavors: Original, Salt & Pepper, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Parmesan and Barbeque.

The Barbeque was hands down my favorite, as having given up flavored chips for the most part due to the additives, I was so happy to have such a tasty and healthy chip! We have really come to love the black pepper and sea salt as snack, too!

It is certainly an interesting concept, no baking, no frying….just popping. Try them for yourself and see!

www.popchips.com

Luna's Pick of the Day: Ravenswood '05 Zinfindel

Juicy mouthfeel, not too fruity, well balanced.

We enjoyed this wine w/bbq chicken sandwhiches and the combo was perfection!

The berry adds a light sweetness that is pleasant. This is one wine I will certainly enjoy again!

Ravenswood Winery

‘wichcraft SF: review

As soon as I look at the menu I know. Oh ham, avacado & butter on baguette. We belong together.

The service is fast & friendly. I decide to get a cookie, too and ask what her favorite is.

She not only tells me, but let’s me know the chocolate chip is fresh today.

For under $10 (inc tip, so great deal!), I got a filling sandwhich (chips inc), a thin cookie sandwhich on its own plate & quick friendly service.

I love the open, spacious layout, though the noise level could be off putting if it was busier.

Its a friendly, funky atmopshere from the head Chef over at Top Chef and certainly worth checking out.

Cons: *My ham was fattier than I like.
*Nice level a bit high

Pros: *Nice, filling sandwhich.
*Fresh chocolate chip cookie sandwhich. While some might want more filling. I thought it was just right.
*Nice that it comes with chips, making it even more of a bargain.

3 1/2 cupcakes out of four

'wichcraft