The Ice Cream Jar Challenge (And Why Number Two Son Was Right…Again)

 

When summer rolls around, all kinds of new ice cream recipes and techniques suddenly seem to flood the Internet. Naturally, my intention is always to try every single one of them. Whether I actually get around to doing so is another matter entirely.

The other day, Number Two Son, Andrew, stopped by for his weekly visit and caught me pouring heavy cream, whole milk, and sweetened condensed milk into a Mason jar.

 “What are you doing?” he asked.

 “I’m making ice cream,” I said matter-of-factly.

 He watched as I screwed on the lid.

 “I’m going to shake it for three or four minutes until it gets thick, then I’ll put it in the freezer.”

 The look on his face…

 He stared at me as though I had just announced I planned to churn butter by riding around the yard on a horse.

 “Mom,” he finally said, “wouldn’t it be easier to stick an immersion blender in there and beat it instead of shaking it for four minutes?”

 “But it’ll be fun,” I reasoned.

 “Not after the first minute or two it won’t.”

 Why is that guy always right?

 Naturally, I refused to admit it while he was standing there.

 A mother has her pride, after all.

 But once he left, I decided to prove to myself that the internet couldn’t possibly be wrong.

 Three minutes later…

 My arm was tired.

The mixture looked exactly the same.

 It hadn’t doubled.

 It hadn’t thickened.

 It hadn’t become magical ice cream.

 It had simply become…cold dairy products in a jar.

 I shoved it into the freezer anyway.

A couple of hours later, I stirred in a handful of crushed Oreos and put it back in the freezer. Later that evening I had a perfectly respectable little spoonable ice cream. It wasn’t quite the towering pint of fluffy frozen goodness those online videos promised, but it was delicious.

Today, however, I decided to do things differently.

 This time I started with a pint Mason jar and added chocolate malt powder, whole milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and a splash of vanilla. Then, instead of shaking the daylights out of it, I attached the whisk to my hand mixer, lowered it right into the jar, and turned it on.

Thirty seconds.

 That’s all it took.

 The mixture had doubled in volume, looked beautifully thick, and suddenly I felt just a tiny bit foolish.

 Apparently Andrew had been right.

 Again.

 Those videos showing overflowing pint jars packed to the brim with homemade ice cream? I have to believe a little movie magic is involved because that’s simply not how mine behaved.

 But this method?

 This one works.

 The chocolate malt powder gives it the nostalgic flavor of an old-fashioned malt from the neighborhood ice cream shop, and the finished dessert is somewhere between soft-serve ice cream and a thick malt. Rich, creamy, chocolaty, and wonderfully nostalgic.

On a blazing summer afternoon, I’m not sure there’s anything much better.

Frosty Chocolate Malt Spoon Ice Cream

 ½ c. heavy cream

⅛ c. whole milk

⅛ c. sweetened condensed milk

⅛ c. chocolate malt powder

Splash of vanilla extract

Crushed Oreos or mini chocolate chips

 Add the heavy cream, milk, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate malt powder, and vanilla to a pint-size Mason jar.

Using the whisk attachment on a hand mixer, beat the mixture directly in the jar for about 30 seconds, or until thickened and nearly doubled in volume.

 Fold in mini chocolate chips, if using.

 Freeze for 2–4 hours, depending on how firm you like your ice cream.

 Serve with a spoon and enjoy!

 Cook’s Note: If you insist on shaking the jar by hand because the internet told you to, I wish you the best of luck…and strong forearms.  

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Creamy Spring Onion & Radish Dip – A Fresh Spring Favorite

 

Radishes are one of my all-time favorite vegetables—I’m rarely without a bunch in the fridge. That crisp, peppery crunch is irresistible whether I’m snacking straight from the fridge or tossing them into salads, from green, to potato, they’re fantastic in chicken salad. Every spring I attempt to grow my own, usually fail spectacularly, and end up happily stocking up at the local farm stand or getting delish French breakfast radishes from Melissa’s Produce.

 One of the best ways to enjoy them? This bright, creamy dip. It’s light, tastes like pure spring, and pairs beautifully with just about anything. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love it! 

One of the best ways to enjoy them? This bright, creamy dip. It’s light, tastes like pure spring, and pairs beautifully with just about anything. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t love it!

Creamy Spring Onion & Radish Dip 

¾ c. sour cream

½ c. Duke’s mayonnaise

1 t. Ranch seasoning mix

⅛ t. kosher salt

⅛ t. freshly ground black pepper

1½ c. radishes, very thinly sliced (mandoline works best)

½ c. chopped scallions

1 T. snipped fresh chives*

 In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Gently fold in the thinly sliced radishes and chopped scallions.

 Cover and chill for 1–2 hours so the flavors can meld beautifully.

 Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh chives.

 Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, pita chips, fresh crudités, or slices of crusty bread. It also makes a fantastic spread for sandwiches and wraps!

 *Dry, if you must.

 

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might want to try Caramelized Shallot Dip with Toasted Everything Bagel Topping. 

 

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Buttery Frosted Lemon Slice Cookies

 

I have recently become quite enamored with Fiori di Sicilia. And by enamoured, I mean COMPLETELY OBSESSED!

 This fragrant citrus-and-vanilla flavoring is traditionally used in Italian panettone, which is where I first discovered it. Since then, I’ve found myself adding it to just about everything I bake. Biscotti, sugar cookies, coffee cakes, you name it. The aroma alone is enough to make me swoon, and the flavor adds a delicate, almost magical quality that is difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it for yourself.

 

Of course, if you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you already know about my affection for lemons. Between my obsession with lemon desserts and my newfound love affair with Fiori di Sicilia, it was only a matter of time before the two met in the same recipe.

(You can find this and other of my favorite products on my new Sur la Table storefront that you can find here. Check it out.) 

 These Frosted Lemon Slices are the result. Buttery, tender, and lightly crisp around the edges, they feature both lemon zest and lemon oil for bright citrus flavor. The addition of Fiori di Sicilia adds a subtle floral-citrus note that elevates these simple cookies into something truly special. Finished with a sweet lemon glaze, they’re the perfect summer treat alongside a cup of tea, a glass of lemonade, or your morning coffee. Have them for breakfast. Seriously, I will not judge.

Frosted Lemon Slices

  1¼ c. flour

¼ t. kosher salt

½ c. (1 stick) butter, softened

¼ c. plus 2 T. sugar

1 T. freshly grated lemon zest

½ t.Fiori de Sicilia

 ½ t. lemon oil

2 drops yellow food coloring

2 egg yolks

Glaze 

 1 c. confectioners’ sugar

1 T. freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice

 1 drop yellow food coloring

 In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, sugar, lemon zest, Fiori di Sicilia, lemon oil, and food coloring on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 Add the flour and kosher salt, mixing just until combined.

Shape the dough into a 12-inch log approximately 1¾ to 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until firm enough to slice.

 Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.

 Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch rounds and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

 Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.

 To make the glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, and food coloring until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cookies and allow the glaze to set before serving.

If you’ve never tried Fiori di Sicilia, I highly recommend seeking it out. Once you open the bottle and catch that intoxicating aroma, you’ll understand exactly why I’ve become so obsessed with it. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Darkly Comical Mr. & Mrs. Dixon Hide a Body by Jennifer Holdich, Reviewed

 

I can’t remember the last time a book kept me glued to the pages like this one. I had actual plans that day—important ones—but the moment I started reading, everything else disappeared. I finished it in a single sitting, completely captivated from the first line.

In Mr. & Mrs. Dixon Hide a Body by Jennifer Holdich, Daisy Dixon lives in a once-grand stately home that’s now falling apart, much like her marriage. On the eve of leaving her abusive husband James, she accidentally runs over a man with James in the passenger seat. Instead of calling for help, they bring him home. When he dies, panic takes over and they bury him in the family mausoleum on their crumbling estate. Everything unravels when a storm washes the body into the nearby village.

 What begins as a desperate cover-up turns into a twisted race to see who ends up in prison first. James betrays Daisy to the police, but she’s not the type to go down without a fight. Sharp, ruthless, and surprisingly funny, this story had me on edge the entire time. I felt so immersed I half-expected the police to knock on my own door.

 This is more than just a crime novel—it’s a painfully realistic portrait of a marriage strained by resentment, passive-aggression, and quiet hatred, thrown into absolute chaos. Dark, clever, and way more fun than you’d expect from a story about hiding a body, it’s the perfect escapist read for summer. I absolutely loved it.

You can order a copy here. 

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

 Disclaimer: I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

McKenzie-Childs Fans, This Is Not a Drill: Prime Day Deals End Today!

  

Hold onto your hats, my friends, because I have stumbled upon something that has me positively giddy. Like many of you, I’ve been keeping an eye on Amazon Prime Days, hoping to snag a bargain or two. What I didn’t expect was to discover that a surprising number of McKenzie-Childs pieces are included in the sale, and not just with a token discount. We’re talking genuinely impressive savings on some of the brand’s most beloved items. 

If you’ve followed Olla-Podrida for any length of time, you already know that I have a soft spot for McKenzie-Childs. Their whimsical designs, hand-painted details, and signature Courtly Check pattern have a way of adding personality and charm to a home like few other brands can. Naturally, once I realized these pieces were on sale, I found myself tumbling down a rabbit hole of teapots, serving pieces, kitchen accessories, and decorative treasures, trying to decide which ones I simply couldn’t live without.

 Since the sale ends tomorrow, I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds with you before the opportunity slips away. I’ve gathered several items that caught my eye, and all you need to do is click on the item name to be taken directly to the sale page. Whether you’re looking to start your McKenzie-Childs collection or add another piece to one you already cherish, now may be the perfect time to indulge. Happy shopping—and don’t blame me if your wish list suddenly grows longer!

Morning Coffee Necessity: Royal Check Enamel Mug Set, $172.40 (orig. $229.95) 

Sweet Cream: White Flower Market Enamel Creamer, $67.50 (orig. $89.95)

  Sipping Essential: Sterling Check Highball Glasses, $66.49 (orig. $99.95) 

 

Set The Table: Butterfly Garden Enamel Dinner Plate, $56.21 (orig. $74.95)

   Stylish for the Stovetop: MACKENZIE-CHILDS Enamel Tea Kettle $149.90 (orig. $199.95)  

 Happy Hour Must Have: Sterling Check Tumbler Glasses, $66.49 (orig. $99.95) 

 

The Perfect Place For Family Recipes: Royal Check Enamel Recipe Box, $112.40 (orig. $149.95) 

 The Cup You’ll Reach For Daily: Sterling Check Enamel Tumbler, $37.46 (orig. $49.95) 

 

Made For Hosting: White Flower Market Enamel Dipping Bowl, $29.96 (orig. $39.95)

  The Signature Checkered Accent: Royal Check Wall Clock, $75 (orig. $99.95)

 

Are you a fellow McKenzie-Childs enthusiast, or are you discovering the brand for the first time? I’d love to hear which pieces caught your eye. Let me know in the comments what made it into your cart—or which item you’re trying very hard to resist! 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

A Touch of the Shore Tablescape

 

One of the things I miss most about our former home is the garden. We lived on an acre, which gave me plenty of room to indulge my love of flowers. I carefully planned the beds so that something was always in bloom, beginning with the earliest spring bu lbs and continuing through the last days of autumn. There were annuals for bright seasonal color and perennials that faithfully returned year after year.

 

Among my favorites were the hydrangeas growing along the side of the house. Their enormous blooms always felt a little magical to me, especially in shades of blue. They were one of those flowers that never failed to make me smile. 

 

Since moving, my gardening opportunities have become much more limited. My deck garden brings me a great deal of joy, but despite several attempts, hydrangeas have never been particularly happy there. Sometimes we simply have to accept that certain plants have minds of their own. 

 

As a result, I’ve learned to satisfy my hydrangea cravings another way. 

 

Recently, I was in the mood for those beautiful blue blossoms, so I pulled out a bundle of artificial hydrangeas and arranged them in my seahorse pitcher along with champagne colored peonies and teal baby’s breath. The moment I set the arrangement on the table, inspiration struck. Before long, an entire coastal-themed tablescape began to take shape around it. 

 

The finished table feels light, fresh, and wonderfully relaxed—everything I associate with a day spent near the water. Soft shades of aqua, turquoise, and sea-glass blue mingle with creamy whites, creating a palette that is crisp without feeling cold. To keep the look from becoming too pale, I added warm cinnamon-brown dinner plates that provide a bit of grounding and contrast. 

 

The centerpiece is undoubtedly the star of the show. The cheerful blue hydrangeas spill from a whimsical Maxcera seahorse pitcher, creating a casual arrangement that feels both abundant and effortless. Around it, turquoise glassware catches the light beautifully, adding sparkle and reinforcing the coastal theme. 

 For each place setting, I layered a chippy farmhouse-style charger beneath a rich brown dinner plate from Pier 1’s Spice Collection. A star-shaped plate sits on top, bringing a playful nod to the shoreline. 

 

Soft sage napkins add texture while continuing the gentle sea-inspired color palette. One of my favorite details is the collection of glass pieces scattered throughout the table. The turquoise stemware and Mikasa Waves rocks glasses resemble sea glass, while the Portmeirion Botanic Garden wine glasses feature gorgeous hydrangea designs that perfectly echo the centerpiece. 

 

The table is also sprinkled with a few charming surprises. Vintage Josef Originals sailor and seaman salt-and-pepper shakers lend personality and whimsy, while starfish candle holders reinforce the coastal theme without overwhelming it. Small domed dessert stands at each place setting add a touch of elegance and make guests feel as though a special treat is waiting just for them. 

 

What I love most about this table is that it wasn’t planned. It began with a simple longing for hydrangeas and evolved naturally from there. Sometimes the best tablescapes come together that way—not from a carefully orchestrated design plan, but from a single object, flower, or color that captures your imagination. 

 

While I may no longer have a yard filled with blooming hydrangea bushes, this table reminds me that there are many ways to enjoy the flowers we love. Sometimes all it takes is a favorite pitcher, a few beautiful blooms, and a little imagination to bring the feeling of a summer garden—or a seaside retreat—right to the table. 

 

Do you have a flower that instantly transports you back to a favorite garden or home? For me, it will always be hydrangeas.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday