Coconut "Key" Lime

I'm pretty sure that this is my first Alchemy post I have made since getting my new macbook! Woohoo! No more angry posts because my stupid laptop died, or Blogger didn't autosave because my compy is so old that it can't run the most efficient internet. It's time to celebrate! Double celebrate in fact because it's 4th of July weekend! And no one says "independence" quite like Will Smith!

Or, for that matter, Key Lime Pie! I decided to attempt making this delicious summer-time dessert into a dairy-free ice cream. I approached it with two concepts in mind:

1) a scoopable ice cream

2) a frozen "torte" of sorts

So I did both. The scoopable ice cream was okay. I wish the graham cracker would have been chunkier, but instead it kind of speckled the ice cream. The torte, however, was amazing. I loved the consistency and I felt that it was a very good representation of the real deal.

Now onto the composition. I originally wondered how well coconut milk would do for the milk base...and then I remembered...

Of COURSE they go together! I also wished there were a whipped cream substitute (without being whipped soy cream) which is why I came up with the coconut glaze. I feel like the original base was just barely too icy, so I revised the recipe and cut out some of the water. The recipe below is the altered version, so you should not need to make any changes.

Coconut "Key" Lime

1c. canned coconut milk

1 1/2c. water

2/3c. key lime juice (fresh is best, but bottled with do)

1c. sugar

1 drop green food color (optional)

graham cracker crust mix (click for recipe)

Combine everything except the crust mix. Churn in ice cream maker until desired consistency.

For scoopable ice cream: Turn off machine, and fold in crust mix. Transfer to freezer-safe container and freeze until hard.

For torte: Line a small cake pan with parchment paper. While base is churning, press the crust into the bottom of the cake pan. Make sure to cover it completely. Once ice cream is finished churning, spread evenly into the pan. Cover with plastic and freeze overnight. Before serving, remove plastic and carefully run a knife around the edge between the ice cream and the pan. Flip onto a piece of plastic and give the bottom one nice "knock" (firm...but pound sounded too harsh). This should release the ice cream from the pan. Carefully peel the parchment from the crust. Cut into pieces and serve

For Coconut Icing: Take 1c. of canned coconut milk and mix with 1c. confectioner's sugar. Whisk until smooth. Icing should be thick. Drizzle over ice cream or slice of torte before serving. Garnish with toasted coconut or lime supremes if desired.

pg. 147 Chocolate and Brandied Fig Torte

I welcome you back to my laboratory with a little dish called "chocolate and brandied fig torte." Or, as I had to rename it "chocolate and red wine rehydrated fig frozen pie." Equally as delicious, I'm sure...but it wouldn't be right if I called it something it's not.

This was something I literally made off-hand because I had most of the ingredients kicking around my pantry. I didn't have any brandy, but I still had some red wine around from previous experiments so I decided to utilize this in my project.

Chocolate and Brandied Fig Torte

1 1/2c. dried figs
4T brandy (or in my case, red wine)
7oz gingesnaps
1/2c. melted butter
1/2c. milk
9oz plain chocolate
5T sugar

Chop figs and place in bowl. Pour liqueur over the figs and allow to absorb until most of the liquid is gone. Put cookies in food processor and pulse until crumbs. Mix with 1/2 of the butter until moist. Press crumbs into a metal or other freeze-proof pan to form crust and chill. In a saucepan, slowly heat milk and chocolate. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Put into a bowl to chill. In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining butter and sugar until fluffy. Fold in figs and chocolate, and pour into chilled crust. Freeze overnight. Serve with a garnish of whipped cream, cocoa powder, or fresh figs.

I unintentionally made this vegan by using vegetable oil instead of butter, and soy creamer rather than milk. I also substituted leftover dark chocolate chunks and red wine for the plain chocolate and brandy. Still tasted fabulous! I think I have found my first success in Making Ice Cream and Iced Desserts! Just when I was about to give up on 'em ;)