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Big Black Dog: Church Ladies and an Ice Cream Social

July 11, 2009

Church Ladies and an Ice Cream Social




Remember Ice Cream Socials?

When I was growing up it seemed like every summer we always had at least two or three Ice Cream Socials to attend and the best ones were always at our church. Let's face it those church ladies really know how to put on an ice cream social! The ice cream was usually vanilla but the homemade pies and cakes were fabulous. And I'm pretty sure that there was more then just a little bit of mine is better then yours going on!

After eating the cake and ice cream the adults would socialize and my cohorts and I pretty much ran wild through the church and sometimes even spilled out into the parking lot! Of course now our hyper activity would be blamed on the sugar but then it was just considered normal. It's always so funny how food brings back so many vivid memories almost like it happened just yesterday!




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Homemade Sweet Black Cherry Ice Cream
Recipe developed in the kitchen of Big-Black-Dog

3 egg yolks
1/2 c. sugar (I used 1/4 c. Splenda Sugar Blend)
3 c. heavy cream
1 whole vanilla bean
1 qt of fresh black sweet cherries, pitted and chopped

Split the vanilla bean and scrape out the dark seeds. Set aside.

Whisk eggs, add cream and beat for several minutes gradually adding sugar. Pour mixture into a small sauce pan and heat until it becomes thick. Remove from heat and add scrapings from vanilla bean. Cool to room temperature and then add the cherries. Then put mixture in the refrigerator and cool completely. Pour chilled ice cream mix into your Ice Cream Maker and follow manufacturer's directions.

Top with a few sweet black cherries.



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The Ice Cream Social is hosted by Susie of Kitchen Bouquet please visit and see what other wonderful flavors of ice cream are in the collection plate this week!





Gadgets that Work



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Who likes pitting cherries? Anyone? Pitting cherries is a terribly boring, tedious process. It's very messy and the juice turns your fingers purple!

I found my vintage cherry pitter at a local garage sale several years ago and jumped at the $2 price tag. It looked brand new, probably only used a few times and it works great.

The pitter is all in one piece so no assembly is required. And it's very easy to clean, just a quick rinse with hot, soapy water is all that is needed. As of yet I've not put it in the dishwasher. Along with the cherry pitter you do have to use two bowls, one bowl to catch the fruit and one to catch the pits.

Just fill the hopper with cherries and then start turning the crank. The cherries move down the shoot and somehow the large disk separates the fruit from the pit. The fruit comes out as the disk turns and the pits continue down the spout and finally are expelled at the end. It's very simple, effective and saves hours of time. And whenever I need to pit a large amount of cherries, I'm so glad I have it!

If you don't want to bother with a large cherry pitter I did find a very cool, simple one at The Honey Jar Online. In fact I think I might buy one! The below vintage-format video will show you how it works.






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24 Comments:

Anonymous Kayte said...

I loved that little honey jar online video... Your pitter looks like one my grandmother had...I wonder what happened to that??? The ice cream looks delicious and I will need to try that sometime this summer as cherry is one of my favorite flavors and the guys can always drizzle some chocolate sauce over it, right? Great post.

July 11, 2009 at 7:04 AM  
Blogger Janis said...

Oh, my!

I'm allergic to all fresh stone fruit, but I can eat cherries, peaches, etc. if they are cooked, frozen, dried or canned first. Thus, the perfect excuse to eat cherry ice cream. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

That cherry pitter video is a hoot!

July 11, 2009 at 7:57 AM  
Blogger California Girl said...

Your ice cream looks and sounds delicious. I have never heard of a cherry pitter. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I found a combination apple corer and peeler. My specialty is a paper bag apple pie with a Dutch-style top crust. Garage sale finds are so fun.

July 11, 2009 at 8:42 AM  
Blogger Judi said...

Hi Big Black Dog - Ice cream socials were big here in the South too, and black cherry is my personal favorite. A little drizzle of chocolate syrup with the cherries is divine!

July 11, 2009 at 8:52 AM  
Blogger Kathleen said...

That cherry ice cream looks wonderful!! I am going to try it..I wish I had a pitter like yours...Pitting cherries is well...the pits...:)
Great post..
Go link up over at Suzy's!

July 11, 2009 at 9:02 AM  
Blogger Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love the ice cream. It looks sooooo good. I have never seen a cherry piter. How fun and what a great tool to have. Love it. Hugs, Marty

July 11, 2009 at 9:53 AM  
Blogger Lori E said...

How cool is that. I love kitchen gadgets. The cherry pitter I currently use is my mouth and I have the fruit going down my spout while the pits find their way into the bowl or napkin.

July 11, 2009 at 9:59 AM  
Blogger Suzy said...

Love that you shared some memories! Isn't it funny how many are rattling around in our brains. Your cherry ice cream looks delish. I love cherries and living out here in Washington state they are plentiful, but I've always shied away from making anything that required pitting. I NEED one of those pitters. Your's is cool..I'd love to run across. I would settle for the other one though. I'lll have to look into it. That video was cute. Thanks so much for joining in on the social. Hope you enjoy all of the recipes everyone is sharing.

July 11, 2009 at 12:12 PM  
Blogger Foley said...

The ice cream looks delicious - the viseo was cool - had never seen a piter like that..but I don't think we will find one for $2.95!! lol

I'm glad you linked to Suzy's event or I would not have found you!!

July 11, 2009 at 12:13 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Loved the video:) Thanks for sharing this great sounding recipe. After all of these wonderful ice cream dishes, I may need to go on a month-long fast.
Your blog is beautiful.
Beginning August 5, I will be hosting Crock Pot Wednesday at Diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com. I hope you can join us.

July 11, 2009 at 12:59 PM  
Anonymous Christi @ A Southern Life said...

I remember those church ice cream socials. You're right, they are the best. Your ice cream looks delicious.

Christi

July 11, 2009 at 1:04 PM  
Blogger Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I need a pitter, as I must make cherry ice cream right now!! Black cherry is my absolute favorite. The video was great.

July 11, 2009 at 1:28 PM  
Blogger Kathy Walker said...

I remember the church ice cream socials. They were tons of fun! The video was great. I have never seen that gadget!

You have a fun blog!

July 11, 2009 at 1:57 PM  
Blogger SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I instantly thought of SNL ;)

What a great gadget you found for only $2! Your recipe sounds fantastic!

July 11, 2009 at 4:59 PM  
Blogger Karen at Nittany Inspirations said...

I love black cherry ice cream. When I saw your recipe, I thought, "Yes, I'm going to make this." Oh, that's right I have to pit the cherries. Well I'll just enjoy yours. If I find a pitter for $2.00, maybe I'll pit.

July 11, 2009 at 5:43 PM  
Blogger Mary Bergfeld said...

This looks absolutely delightful. The ice cream and your beautiful photo have me made me hungry for some of that black cherry delight. Thanks for sharing with us. Have a wonderful weekend.

July 11, 2009 at 7:53 PM  
Blogger NKP said...

That cherry pitter is the coolest thing! I just woke my husband up to come look at it. What a great find. Yummy ice cream too. :)

July 11, 2009 at 8:17 PM  
Blogger Shellbelle said...

I used to have a cherry pitter just like yours, but passed it on to a friend years ago. Now she always makes me a cherry pie when I visit, but I believe I'll pass your recipe on to her and pack my suitcase!

July 12, 2009 at 6:05 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

I have a big bag of cherries in my fridge right now, and while I plan to eat most of them plain, cooking with them has been on my mind. Not sure I'd want to spend $13 US, plus shipping, though to save me a few minutes. Like your $2 one though - wanna double your money and sell it to me instead? :-)

July 12, 2009 at 5:17 PM  
Blogger ♥peachkins♥ said...

I love cherry ice cream but since cherries are so expensive here I just buy some from baskin and Robbins..

July 12, 2009 at 6:18 PM  
Blogger Sheila Mitchell said...

Looks like your 'pitter' was almost more popular then the ice cream ;~D As always...you rock!

July 12, 2009 at 7:11 PM  
Blogger Carol said...

Michelle, your ice cream looks delicious! Perfect summer treat, black cherry! That vintage pitter is so cool!

July 12, 2009 at 7:47 PM  
Blogger CM said...

The ice cream looks delicious- the lighting in your photos is fabulous too! And I'm totally envious of your vintage pitter. I've only ever seen the ones that do one cherry at a time- yours seems way more efficient! That's it, I'm checking ebay!!

July 13, 2009 at 1:26 AM  
Anonymous LunaCafe said...

You know, I don't think I've ever been to an ice cream social. Friday nights were fish fry and bingo nights at the church. On weekends, the various parishs put on their summer church fairs with fried chicken and the creamiest mashed potatoes ever (Kentucky). My Grandma Maisie, Aunt Betty, and I attended them all within a 30-mile radius. I did on occasion churn fresh ice cream for "hours" in a large White Mountain ice cream machine. Can't wait to make your fresh cherry ice cream in my new Cuisinart electic ice cream machine. Looks delicious!

July 13, 2009 at 8:51 PM  

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