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TopIce Cream Ideas
Refreshing Ice Cream Ideas
Hot weather calls for refreshment and nothing fits the bill like cold, delicious ice cream. Whether you make your own ice cream or choose from our wide selection of readymade icy treats, let Metro help you beat the heat.
The History of Ice Cream
The roots of making ice cream go back to the second century BC, although there is no specific date for its creation or a known creator.
Early fans of flavoured ice and snow included Alexander the Great, King Solomon and Nero Claudius Caesar, who ruled during the Roman Empire. Marco Polo brought back a recipe for a concoction that resembled sherbet from the Far East. Italian Catherine de Medici introduced the French to frozen desserts in 1553. “Cream ice” was served often at the table of the English monarch Charles I in the 17th century.
In 1660, ice cream was made available to the public when a mixture of milk, cream, butter and eggs was served at Paris’ first café: “Café Procope”.
In North America, the first advertisement for ice cream appeared on May 12, 1777 in the “New York Gazette”. Until 1800, when insulated icehouses were invented, ice cream was rare and only enjoyed by the rich.
Today, Canada ranks in the top 10 in the world in terms of per capita consumption of ice cream.
Meet the Ice Cream Family
Ice Cream is a mixture of cream and/or milk, sugar and occasionally, eggs. It is frozen while being churned, and contains the most milk fat.
Gelato is traditionally made using mostly milk. Its creaminess comes from its density, as it is churned with relatively little added air.
Frozen Yoghurt blends yogurt with an ice cream base of milk, cream and sweetener for a sweet and tangy dessert.
Sherbet is lighter than ice cream, but still has a creamy texture. It contains less dairy, and the lower amount of fat means the often fruity flavours get a real chance to pop.
Sorbet is a dairy-free treat that cleanses the palate. It is usually made from fruit purées, but it can also be created from wine, or even infusions like tea.
Top 5 Ways to Enjoy Ice Cream
Ice cream and summer were made for each other. Enrich all of your everyday and special occasions with its creamy goodness:
1Whip it
Go retro and blend ice cream and ripe summer fruit into creamy milkshakes – the perfect cooling drink to accompany spicy grilled meat
2On the side
Bake mixed berry crumble, apple pie, strawberry waffles, or chocolate cake and add a scoop – or two - while your baked masterpiece is still warm
3In a cocktail
Combine butterscotch vodka, almond milk and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in an old-fashioned glass – pour Irish Cream liqueur over top
4In a cake
Homemade ice cream cake is right on trend – and perfect for summer birthdays
5In a cone
For kids of all ages, this simple tradition is one of summer’s biggest pleasures
Host an Ice Cream Party
Velvety-smooth ice cream is the ideal finish to your backyard barbecue. Here’s how to chill out with style:
- Play on the burger barbecue theme by serving our Perfect Ice Cream Burgers. You can include “condiments” such as strawberry sauce, honey and maple syrup.
- Have your guests assemble their own ice cream creations – place ice cream in mason jars and put them on ice, and have an array of sauces and toppings served in vintage dishes on hand.
- For a lovely, Italian-inspired look, cut the top third off of citrus fruits and remove the fruit from inside. Chill the peel shells, fill them with ice cream or sorbet and place them in an ice-filled serving dish.
- Let a large container of ice cream melt a bit and then spoon the ice cream into a metal baking dish. Refreeze. Cut out shapes with your favourite cookies cutters and refreeze, if necessary. Serve the ice cream shapes on or beside baked items or fruit.
Creative Ice Cream Sundae Toppings
Choosing toppings for your sundaes is the fun part! Customize them to your personal tastes:
The Traditional
Whipped cream, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, and sprinkles
The Crunchy
Caramel corn, toasted almonds, and crushed candy bars
The Natural
Honey or maple syrup and coarse sea salt
The Savoury
Reduced balsamic vinegar and berries cooked down with sugar and fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, rosemary or mint
The Decadent
Lemon curd, toasted coconut, and crushed graham crackers or gingersnaps
The Tipsy
Ontario ice wine or Frangelico
Creative Ice Cream Desserts
Ice cream is delicious on its own or as an ingredient in other recipes. Here are some of our favourite dishes that use ice cream as a base.
Fudge Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream sandwiches form the layers of this incredible cake, drizzled with hot fudge sauce and chocolate pudding. Whipped cream and Oreo cookies also come to the party to create a dessert that's perfect for summer birthdays.
Peanut Butter Banana Sundae Pie
Ice cream is wonderful with and IN pie! A premade graham crust, bananas, peanut butter and vanilla ice cream pair up in this summer refresher. The kids will love it.
Piña Colada Ice Cream
This recipe calls for making your own ice cream from cream cheese, coconut milk, yogurt and sour cream and then blending it with rum, coconut and pineapple. Delicious!
Even More Ice Cream Ideas
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