Memories of London and a Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
The cold and rainy days of Spring in New York remind me of my time spent in London. Just out of college and as fresh as lettuce, I acquired a six month work visa and headed across the pond. Awaiting me there were many odd jobs, an ex-boyfriend, a myriad of dirty hostels, and empty pockets. Big empty pockets. In other words, I was broke.
Odd jobs came along just enough so I could scrape some cash together for rent, a day-old sandwich, and a my favorite chocolate ice cream bar, which was a luxury for me at the time. These were my daily fixes, if I was lucky enough to eat daily. I spent the sunny days walking in the park and riding double-decker buses. Rainy days were saved for meandering about the British Museum and perusing the university’s used-book sales. It was there I discovered and simultaneously fall in love with the beautiful and damned Mr. F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Times like those were as romantic as they were fleeting. We all have some sort of memory in which food marks a timeline of the past. It becomes a significant part of the surroundings that shape you. Young and impressionable, learning what the world is all about with your own eyes and palate.
Today I look back on that experience, so happy to have had it and even happier that I do not have to sleep in a dirty, lumpy, beer-stained hostel mattress ever again (well, hopefully). Just like our travels, food molds our world. Whether that world is broke and empty or rich and abundant.
Food not only fuels our bellies, but also our experiences and memories in life. Now I have my own kitchen, where I can create and share recipes that I never would have thought to make years ago.
For instance, I recently learned how to make coconut milk ice cream. I wonder if everyone has memories of food that particularly stand out in their lives. Mine frequently involve some sort of sugary dessert, like the one below. How has food shaped your life? What are some of your most vivid memories that involve meals of the past and how did they shape your world into what it is today?
Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
2 13.5 oz cans of coconut milk (or 2 cups of heavy cream)
1 cup of almond milk (or 1/2 & 1/2)
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup honey
1-2 teaspoon mint extract
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks
Skim the coconut fat cream off the top of the can and discard or set aside the coconut water for another use. With a mixer, blend the honey and cocoa powder. Add the cocoa mixture alternating with the almond milk to the coconut mixture and add the mint. Blend in ice cream maker until thick. Eat. Freeze. Enjoy. Makes about four servings or one if you are like me and devour the entire bowl yourself.
Oh my! Guess I need to buy an ice cream maker now.
Haha! Thanks Pam! Well you can make ice cream without a machine, I’ve never tried it, but I’ve read that you can mix all the ingredients, stick in the freezer for 45 minutes, then remove and stir vigorously for a few minutes. Do this every 45min about 4-5 times times until frozen. The idea with the stirring is that you remove the water particles from the mixture, so it doesn’t turn into a block of ice! I just might try it sometime. I’ll let you know if I do!
I’ve had several coconut milk ice creams and they certainly rule the non dairy ice cream world. It’s good stuff.
I think my best memories of food are and always will be the meals my mom would cook for me and dad, or sometimes just me and her. Dad worked jobs in St. Louis during the weeks sometimes. Regardless, my mother cooked (and still does on occasion) with full regalia. Having learned the basics of country cooking from early childhood, to being married for a time to an Italian man from Boston with a family that cooked everything under the sun and taught her old-school techniques, to learning the science and enjoyment of home cooking from Julia Child et al…what can I say? She’s amazing. Aside from the occasional night out – we had a home-cooked meal most every night. She set the bar very high. One of my favorite meals she cooks is a South African chicken or lamb curry recipe with all the condiments and what-not. It takes two days to make! My senior year of high school, we had a South African exchange student in my class and when I told her about my mom’s curry her eyes lit up so naturally I ended up immediately inviting her over for it. Mom was so nervous. But it was, of course, delicious as usual and based on Yvonne hoovering three plates worth, I’d say it hit the spot.
Wow! Such great memories, Dora! Thanks so much for sharing. My mother is a great cook too. And Italian nonetheless! I learned a lot from her as well. We used to bake chocolate chip cookies together, such a simple thing yet so memorable. It’s one of my fondest memories to this day.
Thanks, Connie!
Great story!
XOXO
Ah, yes, London town. What fond and amazing memories. I remember more than a few epic conversations regarding the exotic mix of men we had the pleasure of meeting, over nicotine and chips from our local shop (the name’s escaping me. RIP). Speaking of ice cream, though…I used to have at least 4 HEAPING scoops of vanilla ice cream every day during the hot Kansas summers. I would curl up on the couch, comforted by air conditioning and ice cream, and stare outside into the Kansas sun. Although I have become a bit more adventurous with my flavors, vanilla ice cream will always give me that cozy home feeling that I sometimes long for.
Thanks for the memories. My time in London was something special. =)
Aw, thanks Adam! Glad I could bring back the memories. Yes, ice cream season is upon us! More memories to create. I love ice cream forever xo
I SCREAM YOU SCREAM WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!
Connie, not only do I love your penchant for cooking, baking and creating unusual recipes, your stories always put a smile on my face. So descriptive and entertaining.
My fav mems are helping my grandmother and Auntie to cook – one german and one Italian.
Holidays were exceptionally exciting and fun, not because of the presents to come, but the food! Not just the eating but the preparation of all things good. Anticipation was heavy and exciting with each bread, pastry, cake, cookies and pasta in the making.
I could hardly wait for the special moment to come; last minute prep for food, scurrying to set the table with our finest – and even the kids enjoyed the glass of watered down wine to make the meal seem even more festive and honored.
So, maybe it’s in your DNA, Connie!
Wow, thanks Joannie. That was a nice story. And yes, reminds me of my childhood…
Connie! Seems like only yesterday that we very reluctantly dropped you off at that hostel in London!! I was so afraid that something awful would happen there. But you proved yourself to be much more brave and streetwise than I’d ever imagined! Even Colin worried about you from the get-go and we had a lot of trepidation on going back to our safety net in Honiton. However, you were a trooper and made your way through London and far flung parts of the UK with an open heart, an empty wallet and the tenacity of a true pioneer woman. I remember you had a penchant for “vintage” shoes and clothes from the charity shops along the way. Remember the one in Lyme Regis when you came to visit us? Colin and I were so impressed with your success in surviving being a bar maid in far flung pubs and traveling on your own through the UK. We knew you were made of some quality stuff. You’re still blooming and I’m very proud of you for all your adventures. You have proven to be a real adventurer and, obviously, a wonderful cook with a great imagination! Love you! ❤
Aww, thanks Aunt Christine! I was scared of that hostel too at first! Hahah! It was so great to share the experience with you and Colin. xo
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