(Family Features) Ice cream is a classic summertime treat and a favorite indulgence for people of all ages. Now, this palate pleaser gets a modern makeover with recipes that cater to the most sophisticated tastes.

Give simple backyard cookouts and festive dinner parties alike an artful finale with creative desserts that make the most of Starbucks ice cream. They’re simple to make, easy on the wallet and a sure-fire way to impress your guests.

Super-premium ice cream, inspired by popular Starbucks beverages, turns floats, tiramisu and even hot chocolate into gourmet desserts that put a smile on everyone’s face.

Delight your friends and family all summer long with these delicious, unexpected flavors. For more information, visit starbucks.com.

Tips for Storing Ice Cream
From The International Ice Cream Association

• Don’t allow ice cream to repeatedly soften and re-freeze. When this occurs, ice cream’s small ice crystals can eventually turn into large, unpalatable lumps.
• Your freezer should be set at between -5°F and 0°F. Ice cream is easiest to scoop when stored between 6°F and 10°F, the ideal serving temperature range.
• Store ice cream in the main part of the freezer, not in the freezer door, where it’s subject to fluctuating temperatures.
• Keep the ice cream container lid tightly closed when storing in the freezer.
• Don’t store ice cream alongside uncovered foods; odors may penetrate ice cream and affect its flavor.

Mocha Cream Soda Floats

2 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes

• 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
• 1 can (12 ounces) chilled cream soda
• 1 cup Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino ice cream
• 2 dollops sweetened whipped cream

1. Evenly divide chocolate syrup into 2 tall glasses. Scoop 1/4 cup ice cream into each glass. Add soda, then top with remaining ice cream. Garnish with whipped cream.

Decadent Hot Chocolate Affogato

2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 cup half and half, heavy cream or milk
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt
• 1 cup Starbucks Coffee ice cream

1. Bring milk, half and half, chocolate, sugar and salt just to a boil in 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted.
2. Scoop ice cream into two large ice cream bowls. Pour hot chocolate around ice cream and garnish, if desired, with whipped cream.

Coffee Bananas Foster

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 2 medium bananas, sliced
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons dark or light rum
• 2 slices prepared pound cake (about 1/2 inch thick), toasted
• 1 cup Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream

1. Bring bananas, sugar, cream, butter and rum to a boil over medium heat in 10-inch nonstick skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
2. Arrange cake on 2 dessert dishes. Top with ice cream, then banana mixture.

Caramel Macchiato-Topped Waffles With Maple-Walnut Sauce

2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes

• 1/2 cup pure maple or pancake syrup
• 2 tablespoons heavy or whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 2 prepared waffles, heated according to package directions
• 1 cup Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ice cream

1. Bring syrup, cream and butter to a boil in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, then stir in walnuts.
   Arrange warm waffles on 2 dessert plates. Top with ice cream, then drizzle with maple-walnut sauce.

Tiramisu Ice Cream Parfaits

2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes

• 1 cup sweetened whipped cream, plus extra for topping
• 1/2 cup mascarpone*
• 1/3 cup strong-brewed Starbucks coffee or espresso
• 1 cup chopped crunchy ladyfinger cookies
• 1 cup Starbucks Java Chip Frappuccino ice cream

1. Fold 1/4 cup whipped cream into mascarpone in medium bowl. Fold in remaining whipped cream; set aside.
2. Spoon 1/2 of mascarpone mixture into 2 parfait dishes. Sprinkle about 1/4 of the cookies and 1/4 of the coffee mixture into each dish. Evenly scoop ice cream into dishes, then top with remaining ingredients. Garnish, if desired, with additional whipped cream, grated chocolate or chocolate covered espresso beans.

*Substitution: Use 1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened, whisked with 2 tablespoons milk instead of mascarpone. Fold into whipped cream and continue as above.

Source: Starbucks

(Family Features) Preparing an elaborate Easter spread for your family doesn’t have to be an expensive (or exhausting) endeavor. Rethinking familiar dishes and ingredients is an easy way to add a special touch to your meal.

Add a dash of affordable elegance to your Easter brunch with these simple tips from the experts at ALDI:

• For a colorful twist on an Easter classic, try pickling your deviled eggs. Pickling punches up the flavor of these tasty bites and gives your eggs a festive hue.
• Offer dishes that are pretty and practical. Bake pre-cooked angel hair pasta in muffin tins until the tops are crisp. Fill your pasta “nests” with ingredients such as poached eggs, cheese or diced ham, and you have an attractive brunch dish that is portioned just right for each serving.
• Cater to the individual tastes of your guests with a mimosa bar. Set out a table with champagne, a selection of fruit juices and sliced fruits and berries so your guests can mix and match as they wish.
• Chocolate-dipped desserts are easy and always a crowd pleaser. Make better-for-you treats by dipping Easter goodies in smooth, dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for lower sugar content. Or for a sweet treat without too much added sugar, repurpose dark chocolate by melting it for fondue, and serve an assortment of fruits or salty snacks, like pretzels, for guests to dip.
• Explore new ways to enjoy timeless classics. Maple is a terrific addition to sweet and savory snacks, from bacon to cookies and beyond. Give brunch a sweet spin with these Carrot Cake Waffles, which feature a decadent maple cream cheese drizzle. You can find the premium, affordable ingredients to make this crowd-pleasing brunch recipe at ALDI, along with everything else you’ll need to entertain this Easter.

Find more ideas and recipes for an excellent Easter meal at aldi.us.

Carrot Cake Waffles with Maple Cream Cheese Drizzle

Recipe courtesy of Chef Scott, ALDI Test Kitchen
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 minutes
Servings: 8

Waffles:

• 2 cups Baker’s Corner All Purpose Baking Mix
• 3 tablespoons Stonemill Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Baker’s Corner Brown Sugar
• 1 cup Friendly Farms 1 Percent Milk
• 2 tablespoons Carlini Vegetable Oil
• 1 Goldhen Large Egg
• 1/2 cup Southern Grove Chopped Pecans
• 1/2 cup Southern Grove Raisins
• 1 cup grated carrot
• Carlini Butter Cooking Spray

Cream Cheese Drizzle:

• 8 ounces Happy Farms Cream Cheese
• 1 cup Specially Selected 100 Percent Pure Maple Syrup

1. To make waffles: Heat waffle iron.
2. In large bowl, combine baking mix, cinnamon and brown sugar. Whisk in milk, oil and egg until fully incorporated. Fold in pecans, raisins and carrot.
3. Coat waffle iron with nonstick spray. Ladle 1/2 cup of batter onto iron for each waffle. Cook 6-8 minutes, or until waffle is golden brown.
4. To make cream cheese drizzle: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and syrup until fully incorporated. Drizzle over waffles. Serve immediately.

Tip: Waffles can be placed in a re-sealable bag, frozen up to three months and reheated in toaster.

Source: ALDI

(Family Features) The holiday season evokes thoughts of delicious, hearty and festive meals. Whether planning a family feast or flitting among gatherings, you may find it harder than ever to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep your weight management goals on track. However, with the right approach, you can still enjoy many of your holiday favorites and serve foods your guests will appreciate as much as your waistline does. The key is managing your carbohydrate and sugar intake.

If you’re looking to lose or maintain weight, you know the importance of relying on a lifestyle with proven results – without feeling deprived. A low carb approach is backed by more than 80 scientific studies and still allows you to enjoy a wide variety of delicious foods. When you control your carbohydrate intake, you start burning stored fat as your fuel source instead of carbohydrates. A long-term, well-balanced, low carb eating plan such as Atkins encourages reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars, while optimizing levels of protein, high fiber carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.

This wide range of foods makes it easy to find delicious ways to celebrate the holidays without feeling restricted. Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education at Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., offers several tips to help stay on track this season:

• Leading up to the big meal or holiday party, snack on proteins that contain healthy fats such as nuts or grab some cubes of cheese.
• When crafting a holiday menu, identify a savory main dish that offers a healthy serving of protein, such as this Low Carb Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast. Finish off the meal with a Low Carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, and you and your taste buds will be very satisfied.
• When alcoholic beverages are being served, confine yourself to a glass (or two at most) of wine or one glass of spirits. Just be sure to have your spirits with club soda and a slice of lemon or lime, or a mixer made without sugar. And make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

For step-by-step instructions for this tasty, low carb holiday roast, watch the video and find more recipes at Atkins.com.

Low Carb Cranberry-Ginger Pork Roast

Servings: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours

• Cooking oil
• 2 pounds pork chops or roast (center rib, bone-in)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus additional for seasoning
• 1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1/8 cup sugar-free maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 cup chicken broth, bouillon or consomme
• 1/2 cup (4 ounces) water
• 1/8 teaspoon guar gum or xanthan gum
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter stick (optional)

1. Prepare skillet with small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Season chops or roast with salt and pepper then place into skillet and brown each side for about 1 minute, 4 minutes total, to help seal in moisture and give it color. Set aside on plate to cool slightly.
2. Finely dice chipotle pepper and chop cranberries, if desired.
3. In small bowl, combine syrup, diced chipotle, ginger, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Rub mixture onto roast then place it into slow cooker. Add cranberries and pour chicken broth down side of pan (avoiding rinsing rub from roast).
4. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours.
5. Remove roast and set on serving platter covered with tent of aluminum foil; reserving liquid.
6. Keep slow cooker on low and add water and guar gum or xanthan gum to reserved mixture, whisking to combine. Continue to cook on low heat until sauce thickens slightly. Once thick, enrich sauce, if desired, with butter, adding additional salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Serve sauce over pork roast.

Tip: While it is not necessary to chop cranberries (they will break down while cooking), chopping them makes sauce smoother.

Low Carb Browned Pumpkin with Maple and Sage

Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter stick
• 1/2 pound pumpkin
• 1/8 cup chopped shallots
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup bouillon vegetable broth
• 1/16 cup sugar-free maple syrup
• 1/8 teaspoon sage, ground

1. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat butter. Cube pumpkin into 3/4-inch chunks.
2. Add pumpkin and shallots to pan; season with salt and pepper. Saute until pumpkin is lightly browned and shallots are translucent, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Turn heat to low, add vegetable broth and simmer, covered, 8-10 minutes until pumpkin is tender.
4. Add maple syrup and sage, tossing to combine. Serve immediately.

Tip: Use fresh sage (7-8 leaves), if possible.

Low Carb Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Servings: 4
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes

• 2/3 cup halved pecan nuts
• 2/3 cup sucralose-based sweetener (sugar substitute), plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 tablespoon unsalted butter stick
• 1/2 large egg white
• 9 2/3 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 6 ounces canned pumpkin, without salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/4 large eggs

1. To make crust: Heat oven to 350° F.
2. In food processor, combine pecans, 1 tablespoon sugar substitute and cinnamon. Process until finely ground. Toss with butter and egg white; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan, rounding up to cover pan seam. Bake until golden and set, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
3. To make filling: Reduce oven heat to 325° F.
4. In large bowl, combine cream cheese, 2/3 cup sugar substitute and cream. With electric mixer at medium speed, beat until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice, mixing to combine. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until just combined.
5. Pour batter over crust. Bake until just set, 45-50 minutes. Turn off oven and let stand 10 minutes; transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
6. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours or overnight. Slice and serve.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Source: Atkins

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