I am a peppermint aficionado.
And as a peppermint aficionado, I know that my dear friend Renae makes the best peppermint ice cream ever. (She made if for me, for my birthday. Isn’t that so cool?) The key to great peppermint ice cream is in the texture. While some flavor admittedly must reside in the cream itself, you must must must have peppermint chunks involved. Most seasonal peppermint ice creams just don’t meet this standard (Blue Bunny, I’m talking about you!). But Renae’s ice cream, mmm-mmm, was so perfect and delicious and exquisite that I could have eaten it all in one sitting.
Williams and Sonoma sells amazing Peppermint Bark. I’ve never eaten a whole container, only the little samples they give away in their stores. (Good thing, too, considering I’ve got to keep tabs on my blood sugars. Darn that diabetes!) Cracker Barrel retails Bob’s Sugar Sticks and they’re the best little peppermint sticks you can find anywhere with their melt-in-your-mouth yumminess.
Because I am a great lover of peppermint, I know that a little goes a long way. Peppermint can be misapplied, and often is during this time of year. Huge hunks of crushed candy canes atop cookies and brownies, large mushy glasses of peppermint shakes, too-sweet cream cheese/peppermint layers—ugh. But peppermint used appropriately, as in a single shot of Peppermint Schnapps, well, it absolutely does make the season brighter.
Merry Christmas, from the Peppermint Girl.
3 Comments
Renae Dec 15, 2005 1:31 PM
My favorite line from this post is “Peppermint can be misapplied.” So great.
Okay, so now I’m curious just how far this peppermint loving goes. I know you wanted that tin at the Zion Christmas party, but do you like the look of peppermint stuff too? We were at World Market the other night and saw what I thought were cool peppermint plates. They don’t have them online, but they were the plate and dessert plate equivalent to these: http://tinyurl.com/c5q6s.
That Williams & Sonoma tin is way cool as well.
Oh, and I love the pic as well. (I had written “I love the shot as well,” but, um, that could be misinterpreted.)
RT Dec 15, 2005 2:28 PM
But the pun would’ve warmed me right down to my toes! : ) (Just like the Schnapps.)
Yes, LOVE peppermint dishes, plates, tins. There’s something very pleasing about well-done red and white stripes.
Sarah Dec 15, 2005 5:46 PM
RT, yesterday I discovered the marvelous combination of candy cane (aka peppermint) and hot chocolate…yum. While my profound experience only involved dipping this seasonal favorite in the cocoa, I’m wondering how this would taste:
Candy Cane Cocoa
4 c. milk
3 (1 oz) squares semisweet chocolate, chipped
4 peppermint candy canes, crushed
1 cup whipped cream
more candy canes
In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour the hot cocoa into mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Serve with a candy cane stirring stick.
It has forever changed how I drink hot cocoa. :)