ICE CREAM!!

What is YOUR favorite, most enjoyable thing to do? If you are anything normal, then it likely is related to the deep need of our species to be loved, warm, well fed, and all around satisified.

If you are Adam Helman then ice cream is as far as you need search for something close to nirvana.

I view ice cream as a medium within which flavor is conveyed to the senses. In this regard it differs from pancakes and waffles, which in a cynical sense are simply devices to transport the flavors of maple syrup and butter to the tongue. Ice cream differs only in the texture afforded.

The universe of ice cream is accentuated in several respects. My chief means to enhance the experience is by providing contrasts. Thus I mix in cookies, swirl in molasses, fold in pistachio and marshmallow cream, and in general transform plain vanilla ice cream (or frozen yogurt) in 1,001 ways.

Another constrast is provided by temperature differences. Hence hot chocolate cake with the frosting oozing from the oven, as a contrast to the chilled ice cream waiting patiently at the table. Or the hot pecan pie served alongside coffee and/or chocolate ice cream.

I place relatively little emphasis on the quality of the ice cream itself, e.g. the fat content. Thus I normally enjoy the lower fat, or even nonfat varieties available, simply because the opposite end of the spectrum, as Haagen Dazs, offers little compensation for the additional expense and fat content. Besides, the mix-ins provide lots of calories on their own. In this regard I differ from many friends who emphasize smooth creamy texture instead. Personally it is galling to my psyche to see someone eat plain vanilla ice cream: to me this is equivalent to having bread with nothing on top. WHERE IS THE TASTE?? Eating is an experience and not something to ever, EVER be taken lightly.

I like ice cream so much that it often takes the place of more healthy food in my diet. Nevertheless a rough calculation shows that only 8 percent of my calories come from ice cream, an amount I consider acceptable. As many calories derive from what I have WITH the ice cream, be it cake or whatever.

In general I purchase pints of ice cream since they contribute to my ice cream pyramid as described below. I buy ice cream "novelties", as fudge bars and Eskimo pies, if they are new and "interesting".

On occasion I buy a quart or a half gallon if some special flavor comes along available only in the larger sizes, or if I want to celebrate some special event. In particular I seem to enjoy a half gallon on my birthday. Although this might seem excessive, do note that ice cream, being mainly liquid, digests very quickly. A half gallon of say, peanut butter, would be a different matter!

Party

When Marie Ida Johnson was at Biosym I was treated by her to a surprise party on or very near my birthday each July. The company was a different entity back then, and I doubt anyone would take the time and effort to treat me similarly in the future. I just have to treat myself. One time there were THREE chocolate cakes with two half gallons of ice cream and a large assortment of toppings like chocolate syrup and maraschino cherries. WOW!

At my present employment I attempt to keep my ice cream fantasies, as well as my fanaticism about food in general, to myself.

Contest

I have won an ice cream eating contest at the University of Michigan. The category was for demonstrating your enjoyment rather than sheer quantity or speed of consumption. Indeed I take a long time to eat ice cream and food in general since the experience is drawn out and since once can eat more if sufficient time is taken. Eating until one bursts is clearly insane.

Ice Cream Collection

Flavor Combinations

Here are neat flavors you likely have not thought of. Each is guaranteed to please.

• Honey and rosewater with pistachios for texture. Rosewater is available at Middle Eastern specialty stores and should be used sparingly owing to its strong flavor.
• White chocolate and raspberry jam. Serve with sugar cookies.
• Dark molasses and chocolate. Try adding to coffee ice cream.
• Mocha hazelnut. The trio of coffee, chocolate and hazelnuts is incredibly good. Try using the hazelnut instant coffee from the store, made into a syrup by adding a small amount of water, and fold into chocolate ice cream. Add cold milk to lighten the consistency for a milkshake. Or serve hot as one would coffee.
• Blueberry cheesecake. A lower fat version is obtained by substituting marshmallow cream for the cheescake. Serve with sweet graham crackers.
• Be imaginative!