Summer's Coming . . . Time to Make Ice Cream!!!

I love good ice cream.  It should be yummy, creamy and have to die for flavor.  On the other hand, it can be so fattening!  Being on the "fluffy" side, physically, I am always looking for ways to satisfy my sweet tooth.  This was the answer I finally came up with!

Vanilla Ice Cream

Mix in a thick bottomed pan:

• 3 1/2 c.   sugar
  
• 1/4 c.      flour
  
• 1/2 t.      salt
  

Add, mix and heat while stirring until thick:

• 4 c.          1% or 2% milk
  

Mix in food processor or blender, then mix into hot mixture:

• 8 oz.        fat free cream cheese, room temperature (you can use 
•                  2 c. cream cheese for even richer, creamier results.
  
• 2c.           milk (same kind as in the hot mixture)
  
• 1 - 2 t.    vanilla
  

In separate bowl beat:

• 4             eggs
  

Slowly pour a small amount ( 1 - 2 c.) of the hot mixture into the beaten eggs while beating with a whisk or mixer to temper the eggs.  After tempering eggs, slowly add egg mixture to the hot mixture while beating.  Cook for one minute to rethicken.

I usually do this the night before I want to freeze the ice cream so that I can chill it in the fridge over night.  This will speed the freezing process a lot!

ICE-- I have 10 - 12 ice trays that I fill and freeze the day and night before so that I don't have   to buy it.

Freezing the mixture.

Most freezers have instructions . . . read them?!?  If you don't happen to no where that little pamphlet that came with your freezer is (like me), or you haven't done this before, I will try to explain it.

• Pour the mix into the canister of the freezer.  
• Add milk to take it up to 2/3 full.  
• Put the dasher in, place the lid on the canister.
  
• Put canister into the bucket and place the motor on, fitting it into the notches to hold it in place.
• Put a layer of ice into the bucket all around the canister, about 2-3 inches deep.  
• Sprinkle rock salt around on top of the ice.  No, table salt won't work very well, I tried it.
• Keep layering the ice and rock salt until it is up to  about an inch from the top of the canister.
• Plug it in where you can hear the motor running but it isn't so loud that it drives you crazy!!!
• Check it once in a while to add ice and salt as it melts down.

This make up really well with different flavors, and chopped or blended fruit.

While it it freezing, get the toppings ready!!  =-0  !