It’s 95 degrees today. The heat index (summer’s answer to the wind-chill factor) is 105. I’m going to make Italian ice.
First, though, a confession:
I don’t post recipes here because I’m a great cook, because I’m not. I post recipes so I don’t lose ‘em. When I want to make pancakes and chocolate-chip waffle cookies and Lowcountry boil, I’ll check the blog, because I have no idea where I found the original recipe or what I did with the printed copy.
This is what Italian ice looks like (Wikipedia).
On the other hand, it’s ungodly hot, so I’m sharing this recipe for Italian ice as a public service.
You don’t need special ingredients or equipment. I like vanilla, but it works with lemon juice or some other flavoring. It takes several hours to freeze, so plan accordingly.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cup of light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
- Boil the water.
- Stir in the sugar. Once the sugar dissolves, remove the pot from the heat.
- Stir in the corn syrup and vanilla.
- Let it cool, the pour the mixture into 3 or 4 contains and place in the back of the freezer
- Wait a couple hours, then scrape the ice from the sides of the containers and stir it back into the mixture. This is important. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a block of ice.
- Wait a couple hours, repeat Step 5.
- Once it’s frozen, let it thaw a bit, then scoop it into small bowls or cups and serve. Refreeze any leftovers. Like there’ll be leftovers.
I made a key lime pie Sunday and let me tell you, that thing is cool, tangy and delicious. And some of it is even in the fridge still.
I guess we have more self control than Packs.
Why, you, I oughta….
My husband bought a big box of Freezies from Costco. Now, we just need some warm weather up here so we can enjoy them!
Is that the flavored sugar-water in the plastic tubes? I love that stuff.
Yes, one and the same. No nutrition to speak of. But no mess factor. In theory, the plastic tubes could be rinsed and refilled with real fruit juice and then frozen…
Sounds like the perfect summer offering the next time my wife asks me to make dinner.
Which, the Italian ice or the pancakes?
I am more amazed at the dexterity of the man holding the Italian ice – three fingers supporting the ice while the other two hold a spoon.
Now that’s a pro.
Ha! I didn’t notice that. This isn’t his first rodeo.
You, sir, are a genius. I love Italian Ice!
Glad you like it, Thoughtsie. Let me know if you come up with a way to make Pop-Tart-flavored ices.
Love your no-nonsense approach to cooking and recipes Todd.
So how can I make this chocolate? – just throw in a few blocks of baking chocolate maybe? Think it will work?
Italian ice is supposed to be smooth, I think. You might try dissolving chocolate syrup into the sugar-water. Worst case scenario, it’s inedible, and you’re out 50 cents on ingredients.
This sounds good, Todd…I’m going to try this! Thanks.
Wendy
Wow, this sounds like a fair treat. I must try this out sometime. Thanks!