Berries And Jam Milkshakes Food

ALMOST-FAMOUS MILKSHAKES

Steps:

• Scoop the ice cream into 8 to 10 balls and arrange in a shallow dish in a single layer; return to the freezer until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Put the evaporated milk and vanilla syrup in a blender, then put the blender jar and 2 large glasses in the freezer with the ice cream; chill at least 20 minutes.
• When ready to serve, remove the ice cream and blender jar from the freezer. Add half of the ice cream to the blender and blend on high until smooth. Add the remaining ice cream and blend until smooth. Remove the glasses from the freezer and fill with the shake; serve immediately.

QUICK BERRY MILKSHAKE

Steps:

• Fill the blender 3/4 full of ice cubes. Pour in the milk, sugar, berries and vanilla. Blend until smooth.

BRANDY ALEXANDER MILKSHAKES

Steps:

• Blend 1 ounce each of brandy and dark crème de cacao with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, then top with whipped cream and nutmeg.

FRESH BLUEBERRY RHUBARB JAM

Steps:

• Place the sugar and cassis in a large (8-by-4-inch) heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the rhubarb, blueberries, apple, and lemon zest and toss well to coat the fruit with the cassis and sugar. Cover the pot and cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until there is a lot of liquid and it comes to a full boil. Lower the heat and cook uncovered at a low boil for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit has disintegrated and the mixture has thickened. (I test a little by putting some jam in a dish in the freezer to check the consistency when it cools.) If necessary, cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside to cool, then refrigerate.

MIXED BERRY MILKSHAKE

Steps:

• Add the ice cream, berries, and milk to a blender.
• Blend until smooth, stopping occasionally to stir with a spoon.
• Pour into glasses.

BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss berries and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight, periodically tossing to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the berries burst and the juices start to boil, about 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot at this point.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, at first stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula, then more frequently as the juices thicken. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, 40 to 50 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on its type and ripeness: For example, strawberries are likely to retain more of their shape, while raspberries will break down almost entirely.
• As the jam cooks, the liquid will reduce, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles: This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• Once the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam returns to its earlier consistency, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook a few minutes more. (Note: Some fruit, like strawberries, contain more water and less natural pectin than say, a raspberry. This means the jam will never be quite as thick or gelled, but it will still be delicious).
• Remove from heat, and incorporate any of the add-ins listed (see notes). Pick out vanilla bean if you added it earlier. Divide jam between several 8-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them within a couple of weeks.