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Monday, March 15, 2010

Drowned: Ice Cream Floats Italian-Style



There is a certain chain of coffee shops where people stand in long lines for a medium double-double. In this country, people are utterly devoted to this brand and you can practically find a location on every corner. While I understand the appeal, personally, I prefer a stronger brew.

Years ago, I bought myself a little espresso machine so I could get the good stuff at home. Oh, the joy it brought me! Lattes in the morning with the paper before work, and espressos in the evening after dinner. It was civilized. But over the years, our espresso machine gave way to our programmable coffee maker. It was a simple pleasure, to hear it buzz the beans in the morning and by the time we walked into the kitchen, coffee was brewing. It was nice but not the same.

We recently discovered some of the best coffee in Toronto but it didn't come from a coffee shop. Just a guy with a roaster (so his website says) who roasts some pretty delicious stuff. We bought 2 pounds of coffee: 1 pound of a fair trade espresso roast and another pound of a fair trade dark roast. Like children, we love both our coffee machines and we spoil them rotten!

Aside from drinking it, I made a simple but luxurious dessert with our espresso: Affogato. Literally, hot espresso poured over cold vanilla ice cream. Think of it as Italy's answer to the ice C\cream float.

Affogato means drowned in Italian. It's vanilla ice cream doused in a bath of hot, freshly brewed espresso. Pure heaven. (Even if you find espresso "too strong.") The creaminess of the vanilla ice cream tempers the assertiveness of espresso and the result is a rich, velvety, creamy and bold dessert. So simple, and so divine. The only challenge with this dessert is to try to savour it before all the ice cream melts away.

When you make such a simple dessert, splurge on good quality ice cream and espresso. If you don't have espresso, brew some good quality strong coffee.


Affogato
per person

Allow your guests to pour espresso on top of their desserts.

1 scoop vanilla ice cream
1 shot freshly brewed espresso (or strongly brewed coffee)

1. Scoop ice cream into dessert glass. Return the freezer while you make espresso.
2. Brew espresso.
3. Remove ice cream from the freezer and serve espresso alongside.
4. Pour espresso over ice cream and devour!

I have found the perfect proportion is one scoop of ice cream to 3/4 espresso shot.

19 comments:

Needful Things said...

Wow, this looks awesome. I can't wait to try it out.

MaryMoh said...

This looks very delicios. It will make my day!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

dessert simple, delicious and easy to make

Patty said...

Oh wow that looks completely amazing! Thanks for posting this, I can't wait to try it out!

Memória said...

The next time I make vanilla bean ice cream, I'm going to have to try this out. YUM! What a lovely photo!

Piee said...

I always wanted to try this dessert after dinner, but never ordered it, because I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to sleep that night. Perhaps, I will make one for myself after lunch instead.

Anonymous said...

Wow..that looks great. I would even try that for breakfast!

Vinosister said...

OMG! This sounds fantastic!!!
I want some now!!!

Lindsey @ pickyeatings said...

I have seen Giada make this on Everyday Italian, and everytime I see her make it I want it. Even though I am not a huge real coffee person (I love coffee ice cream, coffee milk, anything coffee flavored) I think I would love this.

alphapet said...

mmm affogato. they had it on the lunch menu at pizzeria libretto last month...too delicious!

Cindy said...

If I could make it without the caffeine-oh, heaven.

Tebonin said...

Wow it is amazing. Best dessert I have seen for these days. I wanna try it for sure.

Hungry Gal said...

@ Grapefruit / Mary / Linda / Patty

I hope you try it. It really is so easy and definitely impresses any guest!

@ Memoria

You make your own ice cream? Great job, girl!

@ Piee
I "think" espresso has less "caffeine" - but I can't be sure. I have it after dinner all the time, but if it keeps you up - then lunch is a safe option! :)

@ triple
I like the way you think!!

@ Vinosister
I hope you made this! So easy, girl.

@ Lindsey
Even if you're not a coffee person (what?) you would probably like this since you like coffee ice cream

@ alphapet
Yes, I know! It must be on every one's mind - I see it popping up everywhere these days. BTW - love pizza libretto. really great pizza.

@ Cindy
You could try a making really strong decaf coffee

@ Tebonin
Thank you! hope you try it.

Sandy said...

Thanks for the recipe it was great, although I had some teeth pain, I think it was caused due to the difference of Ice cream's and Coffee's temperature.

Lisa said...

Not much of an ice cream float type of girl but this looks amazing!

Anonymous said...

Have you tried ....

Black Forest Affogato?

http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/jamie-oliver/mustard-chicken-and-black-forest-affogato-meal

Anonymous said...

...sorry, I meant to say it's an absolute pleasure to eat!

Johanna

Unknown said...

Wow it is amazing. Best dessert I have seen for these days. I wanna try it for sure. South Florida Vending Machines Services

Olivia writer said...

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