As with most government, my city has done an outstanding job of doing road construction at every possible way out of my subdivision. Now, I’m all for better roads and people having jobs, but is it really necessary to do it all at the same time? Spread the love…or pavement as it may be in this case.
It’s provided some headaches of course but it has definitely added some amusement. While sitting there the other day with my window down I got to hear a daughter shout to her mom (she was the worker holding the stop sign) from across the street that she was pregnant. Lots of key words were exchanged and it ended with, “be glad there are people around or else I’d come hit you with this sign”. Sadly I don’t know if she ever did as I the sign moved from STOP to SLOW and I had to move on.
The other guy that works there just always looks bored to tears. About a week ago I brought him cookies. I asked if that was against the rules. He told me he didn’t care it if was, those cookies looked good. From that point on, I may or may not have brought him more baked goods in hope of getting preferential traffic treatment. Which I may or may not be getting. Though I think at this point anyone with a bright blue car is getting that treatment, but hey, it’s working for me. I’m getting to go around the special cones. I feel privileged all the same. 🙂
Sadly I think my privileges will be going away. The temperatures are warming up around here and the thought of the oven on is a big NO. So I went with what we do in the baking world, I turned to frozen treats. This is Tiramisu that I turned into a sundae. Most of the elements are the same with the exception of the mascarpone layer, which was turned into ice cream form. I also added some crushed toffee bars because I can’t seem to say no to the buy 3 candy bars for a $1 display at the check out.
And a big hello to anyone who came over from CNN.com today. They have a little write up about the blog, you can see it here.
Tira- Me So Hot to Bake Sundaes
Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Ice Cream (recipe follows)
Mocha Ganache (recipe follows)
Purchased Iced Mocha (I used the kind from the store by the famous Seattle area maker)
1 package Ladyfingers
Toffee Bars (such as Heath or Skor), crushed up real good
To build your sundae first place your iced mocha in a bowl (if there is actual ice, remove that). Get a bowl however large you like. Dunk lady fingers into ice mocha and layer on bottom. Top with some ganache and then some toffee. Place a scoop of ice cream on top. Then repeat with the ladyfingers, then ganache, then toffee. Then one more scoop of ice cream. Add more ganache and toffee and place a full size ladyfinger for garnish.
Makes two Peabody sized sundaes…or more like 6 normal people sundaes
Vanilla Bean Mascarpone Ice Cream
1 cup whole milk
A pinch of salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 cups heavy cream
5 large egg yolks
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
Heat the milk, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk with a paring knife, then add the bean pod to the milk. Cover, remove from heat, and infuse for one hour.
To make the ice cream, set up an ice bath by placing a 2-quart (2l) bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice and water. Set a strainer over the top of the smaller bowl and pour the cream into the bowl.
In a separate bowl, stir together the egg yolks. Rewarm the milk then gradually pour some of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk 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. Stir over the ice until cool, add the vanilla extract, then refrigerate to chill thoroughly. Preferably overnight.
Remove the vanilla bean. Add mascarpone cheese and freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Adapted from the Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz
Mocha Ganache
½ cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
CeCile says
I would be one of those peoople to venture to your site after it was featured on CNN.com today.
You are a truly horrific and evil woman (I say that in the nicest way possible) to make all of these delicious, saliva-inducing treats and for that I thank you.
I feel as though my waistline as expanded since I first started perusing your blog. I will definitely have to try some of these recipes on my husband and co-workers.
Zazzy says
Congratulations on the CNN feature! How exciting! And good luck with the construction – how about some no-bake treats such as variations on the rice krispy bar?
Linda says
CNN! You’re moving up in the world. Congrats!
kristine says
That looks so good, Peabody! It is ridiculously hot and humid here. And CNN! Well done!
sarah says
wow–congrats on the feature! and i was here ’cause i just love you anyway 😉
Rosa says
Sooooo good!
Cheers,
Rosa
Fallon says
Gosh I wish I could have that right now!!
katie says
Yet more of your deliciously indulgant treats! Its only breakfast and now i’m craving tiramisu and ice cream!
Debs says
Oh yum, this sounds delish. I want one now & it’s only breakfast time LOL.
Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes) says
Woww! Congratulations on the CNN feature!! This looks like pure sin, my waistline is already cursing you!
Valerie says
I love the name you bestowed upon this amazing looking dessert!
And congratulations on the CNN feature. 😀
Elizabeth says
CNN?! You go girl! And well, this dessert is just ridiculous..out of this world, and I may or may not be planning on making it today. I heart you.
Donna says
Congratulations!!!
No one can do evil like you.
Joanne says
The story about that pregnant girl is too funny. My mom would kill me if I told her I was pregnant across multiple lanes of traffic.
Tira-me-so-need-this. Is all I have to say.
And congrats on the CNN feature!
Sobaka says
Congrats on the CNN feature! That’s really cool. The sundae looks delicious. I’m definitely ready for fall weather, how about you?
Kristina says
Hooray for you! Getting featured on CNN…congratulations, and more of the same in the future.
bellini valli says
I’d be happt to give your preferential treatment at the dcotors office for some cookies or sundaes.
Lisa Seatter says
CNN…that’s really cool! Tiramisu Sundae…extremely cool!! Looks super yummy, I think I started drooling when I saw the photo!! Hope your weekend is great!
karen says
great write up on cnn – if i had never read your blog before i would definitely have checked it out if i saw that.
MyKitchenInHalfCups says
This one has me on a drool. I say buy all those candy bars! They look perfect on top.
Now I’m off the read the article …. oooo lovely.
Caroline says
I have just jumped on the Peabody band wagon after the CNN feature. I don’t know if it was such a good idea, because I can feel my butt expanding just looking the photos!
CookiePie says
I love tiramisu in any form, and yours looks fabulous!!
Sues says
Oh how I love tiramisu! AND ice cream sundaes! This is most definitely the perfect combination of the two 🙂 LOVE it!!
Paula says
here is so many inspirations!
have a nice time!
Paula
Mrs. L says
Bribing road construction workers. I like that idea 🙂
Kate @ Savour Fare says
Congrats on the CNN writeup! And that Sundae looks delicious. I’m sure you could bribe anyone with that.
Elle says
Construction sign wavers mostly get the finger or a glare, so cookies if a big step up for them…you SHOULD get better treatment! Gorgeous sundae with all those yummy Ital flavors.
Nikki (Pennies on a Platter) says
Ha! Love the construction story! We had that in Chicago, as well. Not so much now that we’re in CA!