When I think about summer I think about backyard picnics, yummy food and strawberry ice cream under my grandma’s fruit trees. I’ve told you a little about my sweet grandma in this post on Heirloom Apple Rolls, but there are so many more stories so scroll down.
There’s just something so magical about old fashioned strawberry ice cream during the summer. To me it’s a reminder of the summer vacations spent at my grandma’s house in Jerome, Idaho. All of the family would gather at her house under the beautiful fruit trees that had perfect branches for climbing and hiding. We’d pull out long tables, bring out delicious foods and listen to Grandma’s stories while her homemade ice cream churned.
This photo reminds me of grandma. I know, it’s a little more dark and modern in many ways, but it’s almost as if it’s the distant memories that have been tucked away in a dark corner waiting to be pulled out and enjoyed with perfect clarity. Grandma’s house was peaceful, quiet and safe. Her stories were always about herself and her life, and 10 times more wonderful than any fairytale. In fact, as I look at the strawberry ice cream I feel pulled into the past listening to one of my favorite stories, the one with her in the outhouse. You see, Grandma is a shy, tenderhearted woman who married a practical jokester with a heart made of pure gold. I often hope that he is watching over me and I’m grateful that one day we will be together again.
But, let’s get back to the outhouse…
“Putting the war behind us and learning to adjust to our new way of life was not easy for either of us. Meal time was especially hard. I worked so hard to please him with good meals. I baked bread and tried to cook tasty foods that I knew he liked. We would just get our plates filled and I’d wait expectantly for him to tell me how good it tasted. Suddenly he would turn white and get up and leave the table. This always left me shaken and in tears.
Much later he told me whenever he looked at a plateful of food he could see all those hungry people in Europe that he had just left. He could not even take a bite. Oh that horrible war! Would he ever be able to forget and be happy again? I also had some lessons to learn. Slowly I learned that laughter is the prescription for healing mental wounds.
For some reason I never wanted anyone to see me go to the outhouse. I’d wait until my husband went out into the field before I would go down that path to the outhouse.
One morning I heard the tractor start up and head for the field. I hurried down the path and just got seated when I heard the tractor coming back to the yard. ‘He must have forgotten something. I’ll just be quiet and he will never know where I am.’ The tractor got louder and louder and I still sat there silently. I peered out through a little crack and saw the bumper of the tractor push up against the door.
‘My gosh! What is he doing? Has he lost his mind completely? Will he really push me over?’ He started rocking that little building back and forth. ‘This is not a joke. He is crazy!’
I knew it was time to break my silence. I stood up and let out a blood curdling scream. As I peeked out the crack of the door I saw those blue eyes twinkle and his shoulders shake with laughter as he backed off and headed for the field. ‘What a creep!’ Now I had no secrets at all. He knew I had to use the outhouse just like everyone else.”
I love that story. I love what a darling lady Grandma was and is. Recently I attended a dinner with Land O’ Lakes where we talked about vintage recipes and bringing them back to life. I guess that’s where this post came from. A place of the past that I’ll never let be forgotten.
Can You Make Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Freezer?
An ice cream maker definitely makes the best ice cream, but you can make ice cream without a machine.
Freeze a freezer-safe container such as a 9X13 cake pan.
Mix up your ice cream ingredients and pour into the frozen pan.
Return to freezer for about 20-30 minutes.
When the edges start to freeze, remove from freezer and mix with a hand mixer.
Put it back in the freezer and repeat about every 30 minutes.
Repeat until the ice cream is frozen firm and ready to eat.
Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream
Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream
Description
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cup Strawberries, smashed
- 2 Cups Whole Milk
- 5 Egg Yolks, large
- 1/4 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Cream
- Dash Salt
Instructions
- Heat the milk and berries gently over medium heat until very hot, but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light in color.
- Slowly add 3 tb hot milk mixture to the eggs while whisking.
- Pour all of the egg mixture into the pan.
- Gently cook over low to medium heat, until it starts to thicken and reaches 160 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. (Don’t let it exceed 180 degrees, or it will curdle. If you don’t have a
- thermometer, cook until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of
- a wooden spoon.)
- Pour into a clean bowl and add the cold cream.
- Chill until completely cold.
- Follow your manufacturer instructions to make the ice cream, then store in a tight lidded container until you serve.
To serve
- Scoop out the ice cream into dishes and serve with smashed strawberries
Notes
Nutrition
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Stephanie McEnery
What is your recommendation if I want to puree the strawberries? How much puree or how many strawberries should I use? Thanks for your help!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I bet this is so creamy, rich, and perfectly wonderful!! 🙂 And what a lovely post!
Nutmeg Nanny
Love this story and I love seeing old photos like that one 🙂 this ice cream looks wonderful!
Sweet Basil
thanks!!
Jocelyn
What a special story about your sweet grandmother! And what a mouth watering dish of ice cream that is!!
Elizabeth @ SugarHero!
What a great story! Oh yeah, and the ice cream is pretty awesome too. 🙂
Sweet Basil
haha, thanks!
Amy Mulberry
Is 1/4 cup of sugar correct? It doesn’t taste sweet enough.
Sweet Basil
Hi Amy! Yes, that should be right, but if you prefer it sweeter, you can definitely add more.
sally @ sallys baking addiction
So many amazing family memories. 🙂 Your grandma is wonderful! My grandma passed a long a few incredible recipes that I will cherish forever. Strawberry ice cream is one of my favorites!!
Sweet Basil
isn’t that the best, having those sweet recipes?
Des @ Life’s Ambrosia
What a funny story! I love listening to my grandma and grandpa’s stories too. 🙂 And as far as this ice cream goes, goodness sakes I really need to get myself an ice cream maker.
Emily
When can we go to lunch so you can tell me more stories?
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Great family memories! Love it when recipes/foods has a great memory behind it 🙂
LOVE strawberry ice creams. Try roasting it with a little balsamic vinegar. Mind-boggling!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
You are so amazing — you’re grandma seems like she was just as great as you!
Tori
love the story, love the recipes! thank you! once again you’ve done an awesome job!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
What a lovely story and a great connection that this ice cream has to your family memories! Such a nice post, Carrian. I’ve got to try your ice cream for myself!
Maria Tadic
There’s just something so comforting about home made ice cream. It’s so creamy and delicious – I love waiting and watching it churn and churn! I recently made some strawberry and rhubarb ice cream – the perfect summer treat! Can’t wait to try out your recipe – somewhat more authentic than mine!
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma’s Cookie
I love the connection to your grandmother! My grandmother passed away when I was 13, and there are so many foods that remind me of her. It is such a special thing 🙂
Karly
Oh my goodness, I just adore that story! Your grandma sounds like such a sweetie! Your grandpa, too! 🙂
And, as I was scrolling down to comment I saw my big ol’ ice cream picture there! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Your grandma is hysterical! I Family recipes are the best! Gorgeous pics, Carrian!
Megan {Country Cleaver}
Ohhh your grandma is adorable!! That story made me LOL in my office!! My great grandma had the best stories, I just adored her to no end. Thanks for sharing this on with us. 🙂
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
What a fun story that you shared. PS – OH MY GAWD THIS ICE CREAM!
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
Your story gave me the chills becuase I too had family so affected by World War II. I think people had to just put it in a place in their mind and leave it there, very typical of that generation. I think it’s wonderful you are telling the story. Love the outhouse story too!
Thanks for the read and the recipe.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
OMG your grandma’s story is adorable! And I love that photo that reminded you of her, I agree there’s almost a vintage feel to it-even though it’s a modern style.
Sweet Basil
thanks! She’s such a cute lady, I wish everyone could know her
ashley – baker by nature
This is such a cute, sweet post! And I LOVE strawberry ice cream. I need to make some asap! xo
Julie @ Table for Two
awww this is so sweet! i love your little ice cream bowls 🙂
Sweet Basil
thanks, Julie! Hope today goes better for you!
Tieghan
Okay, your grandma is so cute. I loved reading her story and I love this ice cream! Old family recipes are always the best and they always have the best stories that come with them!