Jam-Packed Post: Friends From Faraway, Birch Ice Cream Recipe and a New Foodie Blogroll Update!
I can honestly say I am overwhelmed daily by the generosity of the Food Blogging Community. People are supportive of new ideas, helpful when you ask, and it doesn’t take long to feel like you have a whole world of friends out there. One day I have dreams of traveling around the world, and meeting up with all my friends from the community of foodies I have met online. So what does this have to do with this picture of ice cream? We will get to all of that, in due time…
It is almost a year since I began this journey into food blogging and it is one of the best things I ever did with my time. It has helped me re-affirm my passion for food and has made me realize that food and networking with other foodies is where my future lies.
I am getting married in less than a month, so I will continue to post regularly until the first week in April (- after which I am taking a 3 week hiatus), but I may not be able to make my normal rounds to all my favorite blogs. Just know that it is nothing personal and I can’t wait to see you all again in May! Thanks for your support! π Also be sure to read the end of this post with an update about The Foodie Blogroll! π
Anyway, back to the point of my post…making friends in the blogosphere…so a while back, if you are a regular reader of Valli’s blog, More Than Burnt Toast(and if by some crazy stretch of the imagination, you aren’t a regular reader of her blog Γ’β¬β GET ON OVER THERE!) you will have read that she and I did a little foodie exchange. I was enamored of her birch syrup (my favorite tree) and she wanted to try tamarinds. So we decided to have a little exchange! Well I gave her the wrong address and so it took a while for the birch syrup to get here Γ’β¬β but it did, along with some delicious maple sugar Γ’β¬β I love that stuff!!! Recently my mom gave Roberto and I a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker as an early wedding present (THANKS, MOM!)Γ’β¬β so I decided to christen the ice cream maker by making Birch Ice Cream (recipe to follow).
Then the next day, the postman comes a knocking AGAIN (Γ’β¬β he must wonder what in the world we are up to at our house!). I am looking at this package and I see a familiar name: Nuria! A package all the way from Spain Γ’β¬β and inside a wonderful apron with an octopus on it (I LOVE THEM – how did she know???) and a vacuum sealed package of her prized Iberian Acorn Ham. If you don’t know Nuria’s blog, Spanish Recipes (and again shame on you!!!) check it out and you will see how much she loves this stuff! But she sent this wonderful surprise to Roberto and I as a wedding present! I think we are going to enjoy it best this way.
So thank you Nuria and Valli from the depths of my heart! You two really made my week!
BIRCH ICE CREAM
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/3 cups whole milk
2 1/3 cups half and half
ΓΒ½ vanilla bean
3 large whole eggs
4 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tsp birch syrup
METHOD:
Combine milk and half and half in a medium saucepan. Use a sharp knife to split the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and using the blunt edge of the knife scrape out the seeds. Stir seeds and pod into the milk mixture. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, then turn down to low and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine eggs, egg yolks and sugars in a medium bowl. Using a hand mixer on medium speed whip until the mixture is thick and yellow (about 2 minutes).
Remove vanilla bean pod from pot and discard (throw it in your sugar bowl to make vanilla sugar). Measure out one cup of the hot liquid and slowly, with the hand mixer, mix into egg mixture. When thoroughly combined, pour egg mixture back into the saucepan with the milk mixture and stir to combine.
Cook, stirring occasionally over medium low heat until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5 minutes). Transfer to a heat proof bowl and stir in the birch syrup. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to cool.
Pour chilled custard into the bowl of your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s directions! Enjoy a little northern gold! π
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Now as for The Foodie Blogroll Update. Sorry to throw this in at the end of this post, but my posting days are limited heading into wedding time and I want to make sure everyone is caught up to date on the latest!
As some of you may have noticed, newer members (like the past 2 weeks) have different links in the blogroll displayed on their page than older members. One of the big concerns in the past was, what if your blog title came towards the end of the alphabet? How would you get exposure? So Roberto has implemented code so that there are the 10 most recent blogs and 10 random blogs showcased every day. This way, everyone has a change to be randomly showcased.
If you do not have this newer code (that is, if you have not joined the FBR in the past 2 weeks), we will be getting it to you soon, likely in May. That way you can begin to show this new blogroll on your blog. You will receive an email from me with a new code – this code has an ID – that will correspond to your blog, specifically. This will allow you to enjoy other features on FoodieBlogroll.com, like statistics.
Also FoodieBlogroll.com will feature Top Blogs – those blogs that get the most views – members can also vote for their favorite blogs, as well as a randomly generated Blog of The Day and Blog of The Month – that will also be featured on the blogroll displayed on each member’s page. You will also be able to login to FoodieBlogroll.com and change your profile, searchable tags and see your stats. We are also going to start giving away monthly prizes to random members. So if you have not joined yet, you better get on over there and become a member today! We are closing in on 2000 members now! With over 700 on The Forum!
So there is a lot that is going to be happening on FoodieBlogroll.com! We are really excited about this and can’t wait to implement it all in the coming months! So stay tuned! π
Peter - March 26, 2008 at 11:03 am
Val and Nuria and foodie friends, par none and you received highly valued ingredients from both gals.
The apron, it’s so Nuria! lol
It’s a little cold still to be enjoying ice cream up hear but I’ll have a scoop…(saying AHHHH)!
nΓΒΊria - March 26, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hey! Look at you!!! That apron really fits you!!!! π I’m so happy you liked it and so happy that customs didn’t get the ham away from the package!!!
Just hope that you have a great time eating it π
Wish you the SUPERBEST to you and Roberto for your wedding day and the rest of days in your lifeΓ’β’Β₯
You are such a special woman and you just harvest what you sow. Thanks so much for showing the picture with the apron on and for mentioning Spanish Recipes there.
A big hug for you twoΓ’β’Β₯Γ’β’Β₯
The Leftover Queen - March 26, 2008 at 11:18 am
You are so right Peter! They are some of the nicest people in this great community of food bloggers. I just love that apron! It is great! That birch syrup really made a great ice cream! Even though it is cold in the Great White North, if I could give you some, you’d be asking for seconds!
Hi NURIA!!!! π I know! It is perfect! I love it sooooooo much you don’t even know. It is so original and cool. We are very much looking forward to eating the ham – most likely this weekend, when we are celebrating Roberto’s birthday! Thanks for all your sweet well wishes! Big hugs to you to!
BaL Banu - March 26, 2008 at 11:57 am
Apart from that mouth watering dessert, I’m just in love with the vanilla pods π They look soooo charming to me -especially in milk π
Jenn! This is such an exciting period of your life. Enjoy it dear π I’ll be living the same excitement soon, by June.
wishing the very best for you, and your f/husband.
The Leftover Queen - March 26, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Thanks Bal! You too! π
Ben - March 26, 2008 at 12:21 pm
All I can say is WOW! First your wedding, Congratulations! Second, I also think my future lies in the blog-o-sphere with all those wonderful people around the world talking and making new friends around food. Third, excellent recipe! and lastly, you and Roberto have done an excellent job in the foodie community and the FBR and forum are the best thanks to you both.
I wish you the best in all your journeys π
Judy - March 26, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Isn’t making new friends the best! The apron looks great on you! I grew up on maple sugar, mmmm the memories!
The Leftover Queen - March 26, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Thanks so much Ben! :)Glad to have you on the journey around the food blogging world! Best of luck to you in all your endeavors as well!
Yep, it totally is Judy! I know, there is nothing quite like Maple – but I must say, this Birch Syrup is amazing stuff!
Peter G - March 26, 2008 at 4:25 pm
What wonderful people to send you those lovely gifts. Hmmm…fancy some “Vegemite” as your wedding present?
Lucky you to have the ice cream maker and to make all that natural beautiful ice cream. I’ve said it before, but it won’t hurt again. Good luck with the wedding preparations Jenn
Allen - March 26, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
The ice-cream looks wonderful π
Ivy - March 26, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Wow, two of my best friends. They are both wonderful aren’t they. So, it seems that Roberto and I are having our birthday this weekend. Mine is on the 29th. Happy birthday to us Roberto.
Kat - March 26, 2008 at 7:53 pm
wishing you all the best!
Cris - March 26, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I feel so lucky to be part of this community, wow Jenn, 2000 members!!! The big day is getting closer… and closer… woo hoo!!! Oh gosh, you’re gonna have to have an internet wedding so we can “go” to your wedding and see you on your special day!!!
Lisa - March 26, 2008 at 8:09 pm
The food blogging community is certainly comprised of some lovely people. Just last week, I received a vegetarian Mediterranean cookbook from Holler. It was a complete surprise and brightened an otherwise gloomy day.
I’m excited about the upcoming changes to the foodie blogroll. Some great ideas!
Laurie Constantino - March 26, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Jenn, isn’t it amazing to see the wonderful fruits of your genius idea for the blogroll? You do such a good job with it – thank you!
Drew Kime - March 26, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Jenn:
Congratulations on the wedding. When you come back I expect we’ll hear about all the new kitchen gadgets you got. And we’ll all be jealous.
courtney - March 26, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Your a lucky girl in so many ways! I have the Cusinart icecream maker and I love it. Oh and the ham…..Lucky, lucky!
Elly - March 26, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Oooh such exciting gifts in the mail! And the birch ice cream sounds divine. Thanks so much for all the hard work you and Roberto put into the blogroll. All of the “coming attractions” sound fantastic.
Ginny - March 27, 2008 at 12:34 am
That first picture is just beautiful! I am very intrigued by birch syrup…whats it taste like?
LIA - March 27, 2008 at 2:36 am
i like ur apron Jen, its pretty on u. summer has came here will be perfect dessert with ur ice cream π
The Leftover Queen - March 27, 2008 at 10:43 am
Thanks Peter G. and I think I will skip the vegemite sandwich, but thanks for the generous offer! π
I tried marmite a few months ago and it was really not my thing.
Thanks Allen! It was quite tasty, I must say..
They are wonderful, Ivy! π
You and Roberto both were born on the 29th! That is so cute! He says Happy Birthday to you, too!
Thanks, Kat!
I know Cris, it is growing like crazy! LOL! I am not sure about an “internet wedding” but there sure will be pictures, you can count on that! π
Wow, Lisa! Isn’t it so nice to get a surprise in the mail? People are just so sweet and thougtful! Holler, especially.
Thanks so much Laurie! I enjoy it – I am all about community building – it is where I get my jollies (besides cooking of course!)
LOL Drew! Yeah! I am sure there will be some new additions.
I feel very lucky, I really do Courtney. I am thankful everyday for what life has brought me. I know, I love that ice cream maker! We just made a new kind last night – but you all are gonna have to wait until May!
Thanks Elly! I know, these ladies were just so sweet and thoughtful. I am really excited about the blogroll too! π
Thanks Ginny! It is kind of herbal actually. It has a warm, burnt, caramel like note at the top, kind of like brown sugar, but then it hits the back of your throat with an herbal punch. It is not something I would use like maple syrup – as a sweetner, but more like an extract.
Thanks so much Lia! I love ice cream any time of year! π
Sandy - March 27, 2008 at 11:17 am
That apron is way cool and is that the ham that Anthony Bourdain explores in his Feran Adria/amazing foods of spain? Lucky you! Congratulations too on your upcoming wedding, what a special and exciting time.
bleeding espresso - March 27, 2008 at 12:49 pm
The blogging community is just fabulous isn’t it? So happy we met way back when we were just baby bloggers π
Deborah - March 27, 2008 at 2:34 pm
What a great idea for ice cream! And a few awesome wedding gifts!
David Hall - March 27, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Iberian ham, yuuummmm!!!!!
GumbeauxInTheKitchen - March 27, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Look at you with your apron and your ham! CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!
And how yummy does that birch ice cream look? I would never have thought of that. I think I may have to drag out the ice cream maker NOW. I usually don’t bring it out til summer!
Jane - March 27, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Oh that ice cream looks wonderful! We have an old fashioned hand crank ice-cream maker that I grew up using, & we love making ice cream with it in the summer. I’m going to have to google birch syrup.
And, that is an amazing apron. π
Emiline - March 28, 2008 at 2:10 am
Wait a second- you forgot one thing.
You forgot to put the Iberian Acorn Ham in the Birch Ice Cream.
Mmmm.
The Leftover Queen - March 28, 2008 at 10:16 am
Hmmm. Sandy, I am not sure about the ham…I think I must have missed that episode. I don’t get the travel channel now, so I am missing out big time on my Bourdain fix! Thanks for your well wishes!
I know Michelle! “baby bloggers” I love it! π
Thanks Deborah! I know, these are some awesome gifts!
I cannot wait to try it, David!
Thanks Gumbeaux Gal! You are making me blush! I think you should get the ice cream maker out! There is no time like the present for ice cream! π
Thanks, Jane! Have fun with your ice cream maker! What a fun summer tradition. I know, isn’t the apron fab? I kinda want to turn it into a dress, so I can wear it all the time! lol!
Ahhhhh, that is a very Sugar Plum thing to do, Emiline! I should have consulted you first! π
Heather - March 28, 2008 at 11:59 am
Iberian ham is the best wedding gift EVER! π I’m so jealous. And the apron is fantastic, too!
I’ve been really thinking about getting an ice cream maker, and now I think I pretty HAVE TO. π
Chuck - March 29, 2008 at 3:14 am
Just wanted to wish you and the new hubby all the best in the world. Congratulations!
The Ice Cream looks amazing too!
Angela - March 29, 2008 at 7:39 pm
OMG, I love that apron!! You look GREAT. What an awesome gift, and the ham and birch syrup too! What a treasure trove. I hope you two have a wonderful wedding. Being married is the best thing in the world.
Helen - March 30, 2008 at 5:52 am
Sending that apron and acorn ham to you and Roberto is such a lovely and thoughtful thing to do! I bet that ham is delicious and that apron is so cool with the octopus. Congratulations to you both, I wish you a very happy day.
P.S I’m just about to post my entry for the Royal Foodie Joust – yay!
Maggie - March 30, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I love this ice cream idea. I’m a huge fan of birch beer and all I could think of was how good your ice cream would be in a birch beer float! Love the apron!
Cynthia - March 30, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Jenn, I was thinking the same thing – taking a trip around the world one day and visiting all my blog friends. π
Helene - April 3, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Love your new apron. You look good in it.