I Scream for Ice Cream
Hello my Foodie Friends!
June is a full month filled with graduations, weddings, birthdays, back yard BBQ’s, and Father’s Day. I know it’s a cliché’ but time does go by so quickly. Our daughter has a birthday coming up this week. I have also had many father’s days where we celebrated her birthday and my dad day together (making each that much more special). As I reflect on Father’s Day, I realize that the most important part of being a father is being in my children’s lives, to show them my love and to support their dreams and aspirations. I always knew I wanted to be a father and consider fatherhood my greatest achievement. Once I was asked, “do you miss your children being young?” My response was that I truly have enjoyed and continue to enjoy every stage of my children’s lives. I consider being a father a privilege with the gift of loving and teaching them through every part of their lives watching them change and mature. My children fill me with the important parts of overwhelming pride and joy I have for them. Being a father to them has given me the greatest gift in being their protector, caregiver, and mentor.
As I watch my daughter grow into the amazing person she is, it just seems like yesterday we were sitting at the Saratoga Race Track with her sitting on her foldable Barbie chair with a Saratoga umbrella watching the spectacular racing horses walking by. We are blessed to have our daughter serving our community as a doctor of Physical Therapy. To this day, she insists that my wife make her an ice cream cake as part of her birthday celebration. My wife has developed various creations over the years. Over the years, I have to admit, I did not mind having ice cream cake as our special birthday dessert. I love ice cream as much as I did when I was a kid. Many of us love ice cream. We crave for it during hot summer days, even during the cold northeast winters. It is a wonderful treat to have as we watch movies like “Sleepless in Seattle”, or “When Harry met Sally”. Can you tell I am a fan of Meg Ryan!
One culinary item that my wife relies upon when making her ice cream cake is a spring form pan. Spring form pans are a kitchen essential for producing flawlessly smooth cheesecakes, perfectly crusted tarts, or intricate ice cream cakes without damage to their tops, bottoms, or sides. Meant to eliminate the risks associated with removing cakes from traditional pans, removing your product from the pan is the final step before placing your delicate treats on display, serving to your family or guests, or packaging them to go.
This Father’s Day, take time to show the father’s and father figures in our lives appreciation and to celebrate those who have guided, supported, and taught us through our lives. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, to treat dad to some cool culinary tools. For Father’s Day, eat together as a family. Relish the memories and show Dad how much you love him. I am very proud of both of my children, Johnny and Aubrey, and thankful to be their dad. I once told a customer that I’m great at two things: Sharpening knives and being a Dad. The Husband part is a work in progress according to Paula. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.
Take Care, John & Paula
To our daughter Aubrey: You give us a thousand reasons to smile every day. We are so proud of the woman you are. Happy Birthday to you, our beautiful daughter!
Although I cannot share Paula’s recipe for her ice cream cake, I have included another fantastic ice cream cake recipe to make.
