Monday, December 8, 2014

COOKING WITH CLORIS--GUEST AUTHOR SUSAN SANTANGELO AND ICE CREAM BREAD

An early member of the Baby Boomer generation, Susan Santangelo is the author of the humorous Baby Boomer mystery seriesShe’s currently working on the sixth book in the series.  Her spoiled English cocker spaniel Boomer serves as the model for the books’ covers. Learn more about Susan and her books at her website. 

This time of year, there’s always so much to do, and there never seems to be enough time to do it. At least, in my house. I’m sure I’d get a lot more done if I were organized. My main problem seems to be that I’d rather shop for gifts than anything else—including cleaning the house and baking the tons of holiday goodies everyone expects. I’ve tried substituting store-bought cookies for all those neighborhood exchanges, but I always get caught. And I’m always embarrassed when I am! But I have a secret, which I’ll share with you—a quick and VERY easy recipe that’s bound to impress all those friends who seem to drop in without calling ahead. (Who are these people, anyway?)  Ice cream bread.

Yes, you read that correctly. Not ice cream cake. Ice cream bread. I used this recipe, which was given to me by a dear family friend, in Retirement Can Be Murder, the first book in my Baby Boomer Mystery series. Like me, my protagonist Carol Andrews is no great shakes in the kitchen.

Ice Cream Bread
This two-ingredient bread is great any time of day. It can be prepared as a dessert topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, chocolate, or other flavored sauces, or toasted and used as a side dish to a meal or for breakfast.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pint ice cream, softened, in your choice of flavor. (fruit flavors like peach or strawberry work very well. For the holidays, try peppermint stick – one of my all-time favorites.)
1-1/2 cups self-rising flour.

Stir ingredients together just enough so that flour is thoroughly moistened. Spoon batter into 8x4 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350F 40-45 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.

Remove bread from pan and cool on a wire rack.

Funerals Can Be Murder
Baby Boomer Carol Andrews is shocked to learn that her hunky landscaper, Will Finnegan, has died, and feels obligated to pay her respects to his family. But this Finnegan’s wake is shut down before it even starts, when Carol discovers someone has added a pair of scissors to the guest of honor’s chest. Once again, her husband Jim and the Fairport police forbid Carol to get involved. But the always curious Carol can’t help herself when one of the most important people in her life jumps to the top of the suspect list.

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7 comments:

  1. Hi Susan, This recipe is so incredibly easy! Thanks for sharing, and your Baby Boomer mysteries sound great. I will check them out.

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  2. So easy that I will have to try it. Thank you.

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  3. Off to the market to buy my favorite ice cream and will make receipe. Sounds like a great gift for neighbors. Can hardly wait to enjoy while reading the Baby Boomer mystery series. Thanks.

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  4. Be sure to use the ice cream with a high fat content. No skinny low fat stuff! Besides, during the holidays, Santa always melts off those extra calories! An extra holiday present!

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  5. Susan, thanks for the recipe. Quick, easy and delicious. That's my kind of recipe! Happy Holidays!!

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  6. You are so welcome, Angela. Happy Holidays to you, too!

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