Here at IWOOT, we want to make sure that the products we sell are as wonderful as they look, so we've started a new blog series : 'Real Recipe Ideas', where we test some of our fabulous gifts and gadgets, complete with tips on how to make the most out of them!
For our first post, we wanted to try the Shake 'N' Make Ice Cream Maker because hand-made, homemade ice cream sounds like the best invention for these long summer days.
INGREDIENTS
Vanilla: 45 ml milk, 45 ml double cream, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence.
Strawberries and Cream : 45 ml milk, 45 ml double cream, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence, two or three crushed strawberries.
Raspberry Ripple : 45 ml milk, 45 ml double cream, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence, handful of crushed raspberries.
Chocolate : 45 ml milk, 45 ml double cream, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence, 1 tbsp cocoa powder.
*In addition to these ingredients you will need a bag of ice and table salt.
METHOD
1. Mix the milk, double cream, sugar and vanilla essence in a bowl until the sugar is well folded into the mixture.
2. Add any extra ingredients for different flavours and mix well.
3. Fill the metal cone with the creamy mixture, make sure not to go past the line.
4. Fill the blue plastic base half-full with crushed ice and add 4 tablespoons of table salt.
5. Place the metal cone on top of the ice and make sure both plastic lids are sealed shut.
6. Shake vigorously for 3 minutes and check the consistency of the ice cream. Continue to shake for an additional 3 minutes if the mixture is still runny - voilà! hey presto! - two scoops of creamy homemade ice cream!
7. Go outside, wherever you might be and enjoy your new homemade delight in the sunshine!
Beach - Image Source Unsplash
TIPS
Just in case it didn't go to plan first time around, we have a few tips that will help make sure you won't be disappointed.
1. Freeze the double cream for 30 minutes before you start 'Shaking N' Making' ! The low temperature will speed the ice cream making process up, but make sure not to let it freeze completely.
2. Use crushed ice in the base. If you can't find it in the supermarket, then do as we did, put the ice in a plastic bag and crush using a rolling pin - very therapeutic!
3. While yogurt is a healthier option, it may take longer for the ice cream to form as there is a lower fat content. So, if possible, keep the fat content high with double cream. If you're intolerant to cream or milk then yogurt does work too, it just might take a couple minutes longer to form.
OUR VERDICT
We truly had a lot of fun with the Shake N' Make ice cream maker! It's perfect for entertaining children and getting them involved in activities during the summer holidays. Plus, as an added bonus, you know exactly what is going into it, so no unwanted nasties and a batch of (almost) healthy icecream! The Shake N' Make would also be perfect as a gift for a new home, or for somebody starting university in September, after-all, what better to make new friends than with home made ice cream?
We hope that our recipe ideas and tips are helpful, please let us know in the comments box below if you have tried any of our recipes or if you've invented some of your own - we would love to see some pictures too!
Also, make sure to keep an eye out for more articles in our 'real recipe ideas' series.Images Sourced from Unsplash
