isachandra ([info]isachandra) wrote,
@ 2005-05-25 15:22:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend  Next Entry
Ice cream makers
Who has an ice cream maker and would you recommend it? I suppose I can just steal my sister's but it makes things to icy for my tastes. I don't remember what kind it is. Speaking of which...

I dined at Counter the other night and for the first time I was really disappointed with their food. They have a good brunch (although on the pricy side) and they have a good BBQ tofu sammich but I think the goodness might end there. I decided to splurge on an $18 entree: Grilled Polenta with asparagus and sorrel mushrooms in sorrel cream sauce. The polenta tasted like frozen french toast, I can't think of any other way to describe it. Oh, but the reason I'm saying this is that I also had strawberry shortcake and the little scoop of ice cream it came with tasted like shaved ice. So if you go there, stick to the sammich (NOT the seitan burger, which is decent but you can get a better one at Kate's Joint for a fraction of the cost). And the chocolate hazelnut parfait is good, too.

(19 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]nobodyhere
2005-05-25 12:37 pm UTC (link)
I have an ice cream maker and I would recommend it. One of my favourite things about it is that it turns overripe fruit into something delicious.

I think mine's a braun but the mechanism is simple so I doubt if it matters much what brand you buy.

To prevent your "ice cream" (sorbet, whatever) from being icy, you can add more sugar, some booze or more fat (cashews are good).

(Reply to this)


[info]velma_007
2005-05-25 12:38 pm UTC (link)
I've tried counter too it was so-so, a whole medley of raw delights that gave me heartburn

(Reply to this)


[info]blueheron
2005-05-25 12:44 pm UTC (link)
I have one which I have mixed feelings about.

Basically, it is a large ice-pack in a cylindrical form, with a stirring blade and a rotating platform.

You freeze the "ice pack" part, and then take it out for use. Add all your ingredients while it is stirring and let it go for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once it gets really thick, I poor it out into containers and finish the freezing process in the freezer.

I find that it works well, is easy to clean, and doubles as a great way of making frozen margaritas. My only complaint is that it takes up so much room in my freezer that I don't leave it in there, so I have to plan making frozen goodies with it. Because of it's large opening as well, someone suggested that I try beating it while it froze to increase the air content and make it softer (a problem that people often find with home made ice cream, vegan or not). I will try that this year.

I have never had a problem with it making things too "icy". In fact, this ice cream maker simply automates how I used to make ice cream in the first place: put it in a pan in the freezer and give it a good stir every 4 - 5 minutes until it is completely frozen. That's still the cheap way to do it, but it works!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]isachandra
2005-05-25 12:53 pm UTC (link)
put it in a pan in the freezer and give it a good stir every 4 - 5 minutes until it is completely frozen. That's still the cheap way to do it, but it works!
Yup, that's the only way I've ever done it! I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy a whole thing for something I'll use only a handful of times a year, but I'm not happy with store-bough vegan ice creams.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]garbagedog
2005-05-25 12:47 pm UTC (link)
I have one of the kind that you add ice and salt to, but the roatation is mechanized. It's a pain in that you have to make/use all of that ice, but I've never had it make things too icy. Everything is nice and creamy.

(Reply to this)


[info]webtar
2005-05-25 12:47 pm UTC (link)
I have one from goodwill and wouldn't reccomend it if you're willing to spend money. Mine was $3 and works great most the time. It's the kind you put ice cream into the center in a metal can and ice and salt around that and it turns by itself (magical electricity!) Takes about 30-60 min. (The motor ins't too happy after 60 min.)
my ice cream knowledge so far:
Don't even try to make vegan buttermilk for the liquid, it will turn out too icy when frozen.
The more fat in the ingredients, the better.
You will probaby never be able to get anymore more firm than soft serve out of your mxer, unless you get a super dope one!
Getting the liquid as low as possible (33 degrees) before putting it in the ice cream maker will lessen the time in the mixer and do something else good.
I can't wait to see how your ice cream comes out!

(Reply to this)


[info]freshbakedpi
2005-05-25 12:48 pm UTC (link)
I LOVE my icecream maker. It's a Cuisinart!

<3

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]blueheron
2005-05-25 12:53 pm UTC (link)
Yes! I also have a Cuisinart, but their low-end model, the ICE-20.

I do like the results that I get from it, no doubt about that.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]mollyf
2005-05-25 12:57 pm UTC (link)
I have this machine. I do like it. I keep the ice-pack bowl in the freezer all the time since I don't have much else to store besides ice cubes.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]isachandra
2005-05-25 12:54 pm UTC (link)
OK cool, unless someone posts about the vegan ice cream delux 3000 I will get a cuisinart.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]supercarrot
2005-05-25 01:54 pm UTC (link)
we got 3 of those on our gift registry, but i haven't used it yet, so i can't give you any good info.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?pid=00821540000&base=00821540000&qty=1&BV_SessionID=@@@@1960722006.1117054216@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdgaddejmjfmdjcegecegjdghldfom.0&bidsite=GRBF

except, i had one of those buckets with salt and ice, and it was a pain in the tuchus. all that salt going to waste.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]freshbakedpi
2005-05-25 12:54 pm UTC (link)
Whoa... I never have a problem with it being "too icey" I use a basic recipe from Vice Cream & change the flavouring or add fruits/nuts/whatever after it's churned. I am so happy to be once again living in a world full of Pistachio ice cream. Rawr!

Basic Ice Cream (as adapted from Vice Cream)

2 cup cashews or cashew peices
2 cups water
1 cup maple syrup (this can be lessened by at least 1/2 if using sweet fruit)

Blend until creamy ~ about 2 minutes

Blend in extracts/flavourings/pureed fruits of your choice

Freeze mixture in blender 1 hour

Pour into frozen bucket of ice cream maker & churn according to its instructions (about 1/2 hour in mine)

Stir in any whole items berries/chocolate chips/PISTACHIOS etc of your choice

Serve immediately for soft serve or freeze in tupperware for up to 4 days without freezer burn.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]blueheron
2005-05-25 12:59 pm UTC (link)
Do you use raw cashews or dry-roasted?

Damn. Now I want to go home and make some ice cream.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]freshbakedpi
2005-05-25 01:09 pm UTC (link)
I've been using raw! But dude, you have just totally opened up my world. I bet dry-roasted would be so completely awesome for something dark and rich.. I think I've been missing a little roasted cashew chocolate extraveganza in my life.... "OMFG"!!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kittee
2005-05-25 06:42 pm UTC (link)
i have an ice cream maker that my dear friend perrin gave me for a housewarming gift. i really love it, though i've only use it once. my ice cream came out perfect, it was chocolate with a pb swirl. the directions that came with mine say that once you've churned it in the maker, you must freeze it in a container in the fridge to get firm ice cream...that's true whether it's vegan or not. email me if you want me to send you bryanna's list of vegan ice creams and sorbets, all vegan all the time.

you can see the one i have here .

xo
kittee

(Reply to this)


[info]claudia_yvr
2005-05-25 10:52 pm UTC (link)
I have the Cuisinart ICE-20 as well, and it works great. It's noisy, though, but I'm guessing they probably all are.

I find the recipes in Vice Cream work best if you replace the cashew/water mixture with coconut milk.

(Reply to this)

ice creams and sidewalks
[info]perfesserwoland
2005-05-26 10:39 am UTC (link)
we used to make ice cream in a sealed can that we would roll back and forth onthe side walk. almost always vanilla, though sometimes we made chocolate or strawberry.

we got a big can and a smaller can. put our ingredients inthe smal can and packed the large can with crushed ice and rock salt. with enough room to place the smal can. sealed them both. and rolled it back and forth for about ten or fifteen minutes.

we then opened our cans. used a spatula to stir and scarpe the ice cream. repacked the crushed ice and rock salt mixture. and rolled for another five minutes and reapeated if needed.

not as fancy as a store bought ice cream maker but sure is a heckuvalot cheaper.



(Reply to this)

Cuisinart ice-cream maker on sale
[info]cynnagirl
2005-05-28 05:25 pm UTC (link)
I was ordering something on K&H today, and noticed a Cuisinart sale. Since everyone seems to be recommending the Cuisinart and you're interested in it, you might want to check this out: http://www.ekitchengadgets.com/cufryoicecrm.html
The ICE-20 people mentioned is on sale for $30, but only until midnight Monday (it's a Memorial Day sale, which seems an odd way to 'celebrate' but icecream itself is always worth celebrating!)

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: Cuisinart ice-cream maker on sale
[info]veganmomma
2005-05-31 01:38 pm UTC (link)
I really like my ice cream maker. I make ice creams and sorbets. The brand I use is a Villiware. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/sim-explorer/explore-items/-/B0001GNJWO/0/101/1/none/session/ref%3Dpd%5Fsxp%5Fr0/102-3236694-3385753
I keep the unit that freezes the ice cream in the freezer. I take it out whenever I want to use it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(19 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…