Perfect Vanilla Ice Cream and the Lovely Blog Award

Happy almost-Halloween! Are you guys all gearing up with special treats and some pumpkin carving? I think we'll be carving ours today. I realize that I'm a whole holiday behind at this point, but I just can't skip this recipe! Remember back from my Thanksgiving post when I showed you those pictures of the vanilla ice cream I made? Well, you really need to make it too! It is the dessert staple! So make a run for your kitchen, break out the ice cream maker (yeah, I know it's the middle of Fall! Just do it already!), and whip up a batch of this creamy vanillay goodness! You won't regret it!

Vanilla Ice Cream (recipe adapted from Room for Dessert by David Lebovitz)
1 cup milk
pinch of salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla
5 egg yolks
2 cups heavy cream

- Measure the milk, salt and sugar into a saucepan and heat until it begins to simmer.

-Stir together the egg yolks in a bowl and gradually add some of the warmed milk, stirring constantly as you pour. Pour the warmed yolks back into the saucepan.

-Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula.

 Strain the custard into the heavy cream and add the vanilla extract. Chill thoroughly, and freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Put it in your freezer overnight (or as long as you can restrain yourself!), and then dig in! I made this for our Thanksgiving dessert, and it went perfectly with Ben's pumpkin pie!

Enjoy!

As a side note, I wanted to thank Jeanne at Simple Math Bakery for bestowing on me this "lovely blog award"! It was just SO sweet of her, and I'd like to share the love! Here are a few blogs that I want to recognize, and that you should really check out! They all deserve this award! If you are receiving this, please copy it to your blog (if you want to), and then pass it along to 12 other bloggers who have lovely blogs!

and now for something Completely Delicious- Annalise is so creative with her food! I love her down to earth recipes and seasonal thinking!

Annies Eats- The decorating ideas on this blog are out of this world! I want to make everything she posts, and eat it too! I'd browse this site just for the pictures!

Brown Eyed Baker- Michelle always has a recipe for exactly what I want to make! And if I don't know what I want to bake then there are sure to be great ideas waiting for me on her blog! I love how clean and professional all of her photos look!

Carrots 'n' Cake- Tina has a great mix of food, recipes, and exercise. Plus I just can't get enough of her little pug!

Espresso and Cream- Madison shares a clean and beautiful blog, with creative recipes that I always want to try! Her photography style is my goal! Everything is beautiful and simple, great quality shots, but still with the feel of something homemade!

Ezra Pound Cake- Now here is a blog that I go to when I'm looking for something to make at home. A good meal, or a simple dessert or treat. This is food presented beautifully and professionally, but in a very accessible way. I think I just saw something on there that I want to make for dinner!

fANNEtastic food- Anne's blog is one of the fist I ever started reading! I love that she can create such healthy meals and still have them look so good! Plus, I like seeing her daily food, and her exercise regime really inspires me to get off the couch!

Joy the Baker- Joy is the best! She writes my very favorite blog! She is hilarious, smart, and always has a fresh take on everything. I look forward to every lighthearted post, and to all of her drool-worthy recipes! This is the place to go for baking recipes (and some other good stuff too!). 

How Sweet It Is- Jessica writes my other favorite blog. She has a great sense of humor, and her writing style is so fun to read! Plus, she is notoriously in love with everything peanut butter/chocolate, possibly with bacon on top. Oh, and she has a very impressive shoe collection!

Kath Eats Real Food- KERF is on of those blogs that I stand in awe of. Very professional, great recipes, fantastic photography and lots of fun!

Koko's Kitchen- Koko writes such a lovely blog! I enjoy all of her creative recipes so much! She is always giving me new ideas, and new spins on classics. 

Willow Bird Baking- Julie writes about making beautiful delicious food. Very accessible recipes, but you really just want to make it so that her pictures will come to life in your own kitchen! Great ideas are overflowing from this blog!

I hope you will check out some of these blogs! I enjoy their posts SO much, and I hope you will too! They all have very lovely blogs!

Question of the day: What are you going to be for Halloween? What are your special plans to celebrate? What is your favorite Halloween treat?

Happy haunting!