Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes

Tomorrow is the last day of 2015.  How can that be?  

I have never been a great admirer of New Year's and this year my feelings are not much changed. Though I am ready and eager to enter the year in which I will marry my dearest and best friend, I am not avid to let go of a year that has brought so much joy.  I have never liked goodbyes.  

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

Just as I begrudgingly say farewell to 2015, I am clinging onto Christmas with all my might.  I am not ready for the "most wonderful time of year" to come to an end.  However, if I must say goodbye to this season and this year, I will do so in true holiday fashion. 

With gingerbread.  Of course it's still appropriate at New Year's!  The Christmas decorations are still up (I hope), and everyone is still donning their festive palates, so before we say our parting goodbyes, let's have a few more sips of the season. 

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

When I began dreaming up my New Year's beverage, I contemplated the classic, widely adored, citrus-based drink.  It is after all, Winter, the season of citrus.  But I was longing for something cozy, rich, and decadent because, apparently I have not gotten my fill through the dozens of Christmas cookies already consumed.  

To satisfy my longings, I threw everything that came to mind into a blender and it made something delicious.  I love how that works. 

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

We begin with chocolate ice cream.  Yes, you can buy it from the store.  You just finished hosting Christmas and now you have another party to throw?  Take it easy on yourself.  I always thought it was a bit rude of New Year's to barge in and demand attention so soon after the busiest holiday of the year. 

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

Marshmallows are toasted under the broiler or with a kitchen torch.  Your fire alarm will probably lose its mind.  Just turn up your music and go with it. 

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

Go find those super pretty glasses that your sister gave you for your birthday.  It's almost time for the sequin-clad guests to start arriving. 

Non sequitur:  I just remembered the one thing I really love about New Year's.  Everyone wears sequins.  That means sparkly EVERYTHING.  I like that.  

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

This is not one of those milkshakes that you eat with a spoon.  You know, those "milkshakes" that are by all other accounts just ice cream blended with toppings?  They bug me.    

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

This, is a milkshake that you drink with a straw.  Preferably a pretty straw, because it's a party and we are nothing if not festive. 

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

Oh, and if you happen to have any leftover gingerbread cookies, you could totally throw them in here.  I'm definitely trying that next time.  I'm always up for a bit of texture in my shakes.

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

Here we are.  Another holiday.  Another party.  Another drink.  

Though New Year's will likely never be my cup of tea, and saying goodbye to years and seasons will never be an easy task for this change-fearing-lady, there are ways to make it a bit more pleasant.  Chocolate and toasted marshmallows are certainly one of them.  

Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes {Pedantic Foodie}

One year is gone and another is welcomed.  Here's to saying hello rather than goodbye.  Cheers!

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie


Gingerbread Toasted Marshmallow Chocolate Milkshakes

makes 2 

  • 20 large marshmallows 
  • 2 cups chocolate ice cream 
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 
  • 1 tablespoon molasses 

Set your oven to the broiler setting.  

Place marshmallows on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and place under the broiler.  Allow to toast for 3-5 minutes, until the tops of the marshmallows are deep, golden brown.  While the marshmallows are toasting, prepare the other elements of the shake.  

In the pitcher of your blender, combine chocolate ice cream, milk, ginger, cloves and molasses.  Add toasted marshmallows, reserving four for garnishing.  

Blend on high speed until smooth.  Divide the mixture between two glasses and top with reserved toasted marshmallows.  Serve with a straw for sipping and a spoon for scooping out those yummy marshmallows!   Enjoy!

Nerd Word Wednesday

When I compare my calendar to my list of summer plans I feel slightly nauseous.  July 10th?  That can’t be right.  Why does Target already have school supplies out?  These things - these things are what keep me awake at night.  

lassi / lasē /

noun

a sweet or savory Indian beverage made with a yogurt base

Part of the fun of summer is fancy beverages.  Drinks in mason jars with candy-colored paper straws, tacky Hawaiian umbrellas afloat in icy refreshments - it’s a piece of summer joy.  

Lassis are something special.  They are a bit like a smoothie in texture.  But even sweet versions are barely sweet which makes the drink more refreshing and palate-cleansing.  A perfect addition to the strong spices of Indian cuisine.  

Lassis typically contain yogurt, fruit or spices, ice, and a thinning agent such as buttermilk or coconut milk.  

Cheers to lassis!  Perhaps one of the most refreshing summer treats I know.  

Happy Wednesday!

Sincerely,

   Pedantic Foodie

Welcome to Spice School

It’s spice talk time.  I think it is really important that we talk about this as spices are ubiquitous in our everyday baking lives and we should really know more about them.  Spices are like best friends that we use constantly, but mindlessly.  It’s time to get all up and personal with the spice jar.  


If we are going to dig down into the botanical mess of spices there is only one place to start; cinnamon.  One of the most used spices in many of our kitchens, the well known flavor is generally adored.  But is our beloved red powder actually cinnamon?  Chances are, if you have “ground cinnamon” in your spice cabinet you actually have “cassia”, cinnamon’s not-so-evil impostor.  

The US does not require specification of what type of “cinnamomum” consumers are actually purchasing.  True “cinnamon” or “cinnamomum zeylanicum”has several differences from the “cassia”,“cinnamomum cassia”, or“chinese cinnamon” we are accustomed to baking with.  Cinnamomum zeylanicum, (alias Ceylon Cinnamon, alias Sri Lanka Cinnamon) has been long valued for it’s ancient uses in embalming, flavoring, religious ceremonies and at times even witchcraft.  This spice was once more valuable than gold and one of the most profitable spices in the trading industries.  The quills, which come from the dried inner bark of a bushy evergreen tree are light brown in color.  Their flavor is described as “delicate and sweet”.  Cassia on the other hand delivers much more pungent flavors.  The deep red bark proves to be a great deal stronger than that of “cinnamomum zeylanicum”.  Cassia grows in the regions of China, Vietnam and Indonesia.  Vietnamese (Saigon) cinnamon is especially valued.  So which one should we use?  Whatever the heck you want to use.  There is no right or wrong, it is entirely dependent on preference.  Personally, I love my Cassia.  The warm, aromatic kick is what I want in most of my baking.  I do keep the real stuff on hand for certain uses, but if you have to pick just one I would go with a good Saigon Cassia variety. 

I’m glad we had this talk, let’s go dust the world with cinnamon, or cassia…whatever.    

Sincerely, 

Pedantic Foodie