Vanilla-Date Swirl Ice Cream

This is really light ice cream, as I made it with whole milk and not cream. (It also contains sugar and vanilla extract, as well as date syrup). After the vanilla ice cream was in the freezer for an hour, I took it out and tried to swirl in some date syrup. It didn't work quite as I'd planned; the ice cream wasn't frozen enough. However, the taste was just what I wanted. I almost think that date syrup on ice cream is better than chocolate syrup. 

Homemade Vanilla "Ice Cream" 

The "ice cream" is here highlighted by Sfuf cake crumbs. (For more on the Sfuf, a Lebanese cake, please see my recent post.) The "ice cream" actually contains no cream. It consists of whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, all mixed together and put in a frozen-dessert machine. A sweet way to end the day! 

Vanilla Mahalabia (Middle Eastern Rice Pudding)

This was made with rice flour, according to SmileyGirl230's recipe on YouTube. It's very thick and luxurious, and I added some ground cardamom in addition to the vanilla extract. Very soothing and creamy after a spicy meal, or just when you need a little pick-me-up during the day!

SmileyGirl230 YouTube, How to Make Mahalabia - Easy Rice Pudding

Vanilla Pear Compote

This is based on the recipe of Two Red Bowls, which she featured on her Instagram feed a week ago. When I saw the photo, I really wanted to make it, too. I remembered the canned sliced pears I had left over from my Masala Chai Pear Scones of a couple days before. So, I took the pears, added some water, and then added brown sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (I also added a little cardamom), and simmered as directed. It was a great way to jazz up my leftover pears, and hopefully I'll get to try it again some time soon, with fresh pears! 

Two Red Bowls Website, Sprouted Flour Pancakes with Vanilla Pear Compote

Two Red Bowls Instagram, Feb. 28, Sprouted Flour Pancakes with Vanilla Pear Compote

Two Red Bowls Facebook