Ice cream for Dinner and Asparagus for Dessert.

Recently, I made Honey-Vanilla Ice Cream, which basically is any vanilla ice cream recipe, minus the sugar plus honey. I borrowed a book from the library and followed the recipe to the letter. After the ice cream had its go in the magical carousel, I swirled in some blackberry jam that I made. The jam was a little runny so it made a perfect addition to this ice cream. I ripened it in the freezer and it was amazing.








Here is the asparagus that my friend Ermentrude* made for us when she and her family visited in May. It has my children begging for more. And just so I am not stepping on any toes, she told me that this is similar to the one on the Pioneer Woman's Website. But old Erm does it her way, I hope she won't mind me sharing!

Season asparagus with salt, pepper and olive oil. Roast for 15-20 minutes on 400. Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese over asparagus, and put it back into oven until asparagus is melted. Before serving squeeze 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice over asparagus. Watch it disappear and pat yourself on the back.

*Ermentrude is not my friend's name.

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie)

Ingredients:

• 2lbs baby spinach
• 1 package of filo dough (found in the frozen section)
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 8-10 ounces, feta cheese, crumbled
• olive oil
• pepper
• 3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, sautee garlic and green onions in olive oil, about 6 minutes over medium heat.
2. Remove garlic and onions to a large bowl
3. Using same skillet and working in small batches, cook spinach until wilted and add to bowl with green onions and garlic
4. Add feta cheese to your taste (I like a lot) and mix well
   Melt unsalted butter
5. Open filo dough and slice strips of about 3-4 inches in thickness
6. Working quickly, brush butter thinly onto one strip of filo dough, adding about a 2 heaping tbsp of spinach mixture, until it is gone
7. Fold into triangle shape and place on rimmed baking sheet
8. Brush triangles on the outside with remaining butter
9. Bake for 30-45 minutes (or until triangles are a light, golden-brown) on 325

Basic Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour sifted, plus some for rolling
• 1 tbsp. baking powder, sifted
• 4 tbsp. butter, diced
• 2 eggs
• 7 tablespoons milk
• 1 beaten egg to glaze

Directions:

1. combine flour, baking powder and butter
2. add eggs and milk (originally the recipe called for 1 egg, but it was so dry that I added two, use your discretion)
3. roll out on a floured surface to about 3/4 in. thickness
4. cut with a biscuit cutter or a drinking glass
5. lightly grease baking sheet and transfer
6. use beaten egg to glaze
7. bake for 8-10 minutes on 425

We served this with Chunky Beef Stew, which you can find my recipe for on this blog to the right.