Okie Gelato

Today, Yesterday, we were warned that the Blizzard of the Year was approaching our neck of the woods even though there is always a more than 50/50 chance nothing at all will happen after the entire city's grocery shelves are bought out and lines form to buy gasoline.  Well, that's exactly what happened.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zero.  The Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles received over a foot of snow and we ain't got even a snowflake's kiss on the cheeks.  (Ain't got is used a lot in these parts but the women in sweatpants, crocs-with-socks, and men in wife-beater shirts are to blame for it).

I had hoped the snow would come heavy and hard so I could make snow ice cream.  I even put out my big, shiny bowl to collect the snow because the weatherman promised with all his techno-maps and projectories that 6-8" of snow would be waiting for us come morning.  School closings had started, the non-stop newscast interrupted all local broadcasts and tons of sand were waiting in the city warehouses so the Mayor wouldn't get caught short (again) when the street crews ran out of sand.

I decided to risk those 'atomic' fallout particles from the atmosphere and make snow ice cream.  At some point, the USDA determined that  snow--that most pristine of nature's elements--is contaminated with atomic joo joo, space crap or alien waste.  Perhaps, but I basically try to ignore the government and it's Health Announcements (because they change weekly) and since the snow only makes random visits here, I knew it would be worth scooping, sugaring and eating a bowl just this once to show the world how safe and good our snow is in this Red State.  I was even prepared to go postal bonkers on our neighbor if those off-leash dogs squatted anywhere near my white snow or just turn our really, really big dog loose on their snow to get even. Let the snow wars begin. But that too, shall have to wait because

THERE I S  N O  S N O W!

As I'm rather like a bulldog that keeps ramming its head into the door, I just don't give up. After falling in love with real, Italian Gelato (oh, you must go to Italy), I wanted you to know you can make your own version in your very own kitchen sans (without) an ice cream maker.  It's creamy and you will feel so 'Martha' or 'Julia' when it comes out of the freezer and you serve it up and tell everyone, "Yea, I made it myself."  The basic recipe has very few ingredients--milk/cream/sugar/vanilla/salt--and you can add anything you like to it.  Same goes for snow ice cream--you just need the snow to start with, add sugar and milk, a splash of vanilla and what a childhood memory you will have or start for your kiddos.

As I had Chocolate Noir Pistache (dark Pistachio chocolate) in my freezer (that I hadn't found and eaten yet from my visit to Paris last summer), I added it as the recipe indicates.  You can use any type of chocolate or not, fresh or frozen fruit and even coffee and cinnamon which is to die for.  If you do not have an ice cream maker, you will freeze this in a covered tupperware or glass container and freeze overnight.  You will need to set it out for approximately 15-30 minutes before serving because it does get rock hard but softens into a creamy mass of mouthasms.

Okie Gelato
In a medium saucepan, combine:

1/3 c sugar
2 TBSP cornstarch
Pinch of salt
then add 1/4 c whole milk, whisking to dissolve cornstarch.  Turn on flame and cook over medium heat until thickened and comes to a boil.  Boil for about one minute, Remove from heat. 
If you are adding chocolate, break up 5 ounces of dark or milk chocolate into hot mixture and let sit until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally.
Pour into medium-sized mixing bowl.  Add:
1/2 c cream
1/2 vanilla bean scraped or 1 tsp real vanilla.  Mix well.  You can add chopped fruit, chocolate bits and nuts if you desire.
Pour into freezer container and freeze overnight or pour into ice cream maker and freeze according to machine directions.

Remember to remove from freezer to allow approximately 15-30 minutes times to soften before serving.

I hope there's snow where you live and you can try making real snow ice cream but if you have to settle for some Okie Gelato, y'all enjoy it and don't get any on ya'.

Buono Gelato!