How Can This Be..

My 100th Post?

Perhaps I should do something special in honor of the occasion. Fireworks? Too over the top (and how would I get them on my computer without blowing it up?) A Giveaway? Too assuming (assuming people would leave a comment, that is) A special song? Too repetitive (see post# 99)


Perhaps I should mention to you that today is my little sister's 30th Birthday. If you have been reading my blog for longer than a month, you may recall that I was doing her "30.lbs by 30" challenge with her - only I was shooting for 10 by the time she turned 30. I was doing really well, having lost 9. something lbs. And then we went to Disney World in June.. and had the dining plan...and then I went to the beach for the 3 weeks, with last week being Keith's vacation week there. And I had my ice cream maker with me... All this is my great big excuse for why now, on the day that the challenge ends, I only lost about 2 lbs. Truly unfortunate. But we won't dwell on that today because this is supposed to be a celebratory post.

Perhaps in honor of my 100th post, and the fact that I lost almost 2 lbs. in the past 5 months (dispicable) , and it is my little sister's birthday, I should share a recipe with you that was part of my demise. I even have photos.

Have you ever had Strawberry Pretzel Salad? It used to be one of my favorite dishes growing up. My mom even made me a batch to bring back to college my freshman year after a break, and I did not even share it with my 3 roommates (maybe one of the reasons we don't keep in touch..hmmm) I had not eaten it for a very long time and decided that I HAD to have it on Memorial Day - at the beach house. So I made it. And I loved it. And I did share it. But I'm not sharing THAT recipe with you today, oh no. I came across something even more beautiful in my blog reading travels....

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Ice Cream

(adopted from heatherbailey.typepad.com)

Just typing it makes me want to run and get my ice cream maker back out of the pantry.


Here she is:


You'll need to run out and get one of these if you don't have one already. Mine has a 1.5 Qt. capacity.

Okay, first you'll need to crush up about 1 1/2 cups of salted pretzels and throw 'em in a pan with 1/4 c. melted butter and 1/4 c. sugar. Bake for 10 minutes at 350.




Then let them cool, and break them all up again.

While they are in the oven begin making your vanilla ice cream base. I whisked 2 c. heavy cream, 3/4 c. of sugar, 1 T. vanilla extract, 1 c. of whole milk and a pinch of salt and poured it in my ice cream maker and started her up.







After about 20 minutes, when the cream is at soft serve consistancy, it's time to add the mix-ins.

In addition to the crushed up pretzels, you'll need to combine 5 oz. of strawberries (partial frozen - cut into small pieces) with 1 T. of sugar. And you'll need 4 oz. of softened cream cheese, mixed with 1/2 c. sugar. FIRST add the pretzels and the strawberries, then turn off the machine and fold in the cream cheese.


(Now, please keep in mind that if I wasn't at the beach house when I made this, I think all of these ingredients would have been artfully displayed in matching bowls - perhaps)


Don't let your doubtful husband try to sneak a taste before the right time, or add any boogies, for that matter.




Now pop it in the freezer and let it harden overnite - if you can wait that long.



Wait for it.....

Ta Da! Okay so I didn't make it look all beautiful. We were at the beach, and I really didn't even want to stop to take the picture before inhaling all of the deliciousness in that bowl. But if you did want to make it more beautiful, you could throw, I mean, place a few strawberries and pretzel sticks around the sides.

Even the doubtful husband ate his in seconds flat, and then suggested that it would be best if we finish the rest right then and there.

Very Celebratory.

Perhaps next time I may try chocolate-coverd pretzels to just "kick it up a notch". Or maybe put homemade chocolate shell on top. Because I can't really have dessert without chocolate.

Perhaps I better go out running now. Perhaps. I do have 8. something lbs. that I have to loose by August 21st now. And okay, I don't run, but I do need to get reaquianted with my trainer, Bob...

Perhaps I'll just go make this ice cream and celebrate my sister's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Annie!!