Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

It was the best suggestion yet!  The kids and I had been talking about what flavors of ice cream we should make this week and graham cracker ice cream and cherry pie ice cream were suggested.


We put them on the list and then later, when we were surveying the herb pot, my nephew said we should make Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream and add bits of the fresh herb "Chocolate Mint."  We all loved the idea and it became our first flavor.


This recipe is fabulous because it requires no cooking and no eggs.  Genius!


Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream

Mix 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 (5 oz) can of evaporated milk, 2 cups of whole milk, 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and about 4 Tablespoons of chopped fresh Chocolate Mint.  Pour into the freezer container of an electric ice cream maker and follow the ice cream maker instructions.  When the ice cream is almost finished (soft serve consistency), add 1/2 of a bag of mini semi sweet chocolate chips.

Mint Wagon

Tah-dah! I finally planted my little garden of mint. I've had this idea for a while now and was sure that it would look darling on my garden patio.

Since the mint is planted in a wagon, I have it right where I want it and can move it around to get more sun, to water it or to dress up a drab corner. Plus, mint is a very determined plant and left uncontained, it would take over any garden plot.

A friend saw my "mobile garden" plans (and my hunt for a small wagon) on Facebook and came up to me at an event like a secret agent and said under her breath, "I heard you're looking for a wagon." Classic!

She gave me a tiny Radio Flyer wagon that she had and you can see that it is perfect - just big enough to hold four varieties.

Pineapple Mint, Corsican Mint, Apple Mint and Chocolate Mint. I will use these beauties to dress up my iced tea and my flower arrangements all Summer long!

Mango & Mint Appetizer

I know what I want in a Summer appetizer recipe. I want something:

• that tastes delicious
• that looks beautiful
• that is easy to make
• that no one has ever tried before

I created these appetizer skewers for a "Cuban theme" party a few years ago and they were devoured on the spot! I have relied on them for "parties on the deck" ever since. Trust me, the flavors are delicious together.
Mango & Mint skewers

1 jar (24 oz) of Del Monte mango
1 container of fresh mozzarella balls
1 package (8 oz) hard salami
fresh mint leaves
wooden skewers

Cut each mango section into chunks.
Cut each mozzarella ball in half.
Cut 2 long strips of salami (about an inch wide) from each slice.
Wash mint leaves.

Thread one end of salami strip onto skewer, then thread on mango, mozzarella, one mint leaf and then finish by threading on the other end of salami strip. Chill until serving.