National Ice Cream Month: Fulfill Your Civic Duties by Making Strawberry Ice Cream

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan wanted everyone to honor the fun and nutrious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation’s population. This is actually a real proclamation and the President called for all people of the USA to observe these events with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” See the archived proclaimation on the American Presidency Project.

Well, I always try to fulfill my civic duties and do what is expected of me as a citizen of this nation. In keeping with this proclamation, I quickly got busy in the kitchen and whipped up my own Strawberry Ice Cream. It was so good, that it almost never made it to the freezer! The strawberries, which I cooked in sweet syrup and swished around in creamy yogurt, were simply sublime.

Now it’s time for YOU to do your part. Take this recipe and get started. It’s your duty.

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberries cooked in syrup *
2 cups frozen vanilla yogurt
Whipped cream for topping
Fresh strawberries for garnish

For Strawberries in Syrup:

Boil together in a medium pot, 2 cups sliced and hulled fresh strawberries, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water. This will boil in about 6-7 minutes over high heat. Set aside and let cool.

For Ice Cream:

Put the strawberries-in-syrup and frozen vanilla yogurt together in a food processor or blender. Process well for about 8 minutes or until blended. Put this entire mixture in a metal container. Cover well with a plastic wrap. Then cover with aluminum foil and seal well. Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight. When serving, garnish with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for topping.

QUICK TIP: If strawberries are not in season, head for the grocery’s freezer aisle and pick up a bag of frozen strawberries. Cook in syrup the same way indicated in the recipe.

Elizabeth Quirino believes that “food brings the world together.” She loves to cook, develop recipes, photograph & write about her culinary adventures on her 2 blogs Asian in America & The Queen’s Notebook. Outside the kitchen, Elizabeth paints watercolors, reads everything and ends every week with ballroom dancing. For great food stories find her on Facebook and follow AnalystQueen on Twitter.