I Love Chocolate: Cold and Cool Summer Dessert Treats

by Stephanie Zonis

Cold and Cool Summer Dessert Treats

Hi! My name is Stephanie Zonis, and welcome to the July-August, 1999 edition of "I Love Chocolate." Summer is the time for cool treats, refrigerated as well as frozen, so take advantage of it! Try a new brand of ice cream (or, better yet, make some of your own), freeze juice in your ice cream maker, or snack on some icy-cold melon. Let's get cooking!

Idea of the Month:

Banana Split Looking for something different for an ending to a barbecue or an informal party? How about an old-fashioned ice cream social? Provide at least several different flavors of ice cream (you might want to include low-fat ice cream or sorbet for those counting calories). Put out different toppings--sauces or syrups as well as chocolate sprinkles, chopped nuts, chopped candy bars, cut-up fresh fruit, etc. Make sure you provide plenty of bowls, spoons, and napkins, and don't forget whipped cream to top the sundaes. Neatness doesn't count here; only creativity and fun are important. Dig in!

Chocolate Find of the Month:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the home of Moose Lodge, Ltd. (don't you love that name?), who makes salsa, catsup, honey mustard, and ice cream toppings. I haven't tried Cowboy Joe's Catsup or Saddle Burn Salsa, but I can tell you that their Rock Creek Raspberry Sauce is terrific: all-natural, with a good, true raspberry flavor. The Fly Fisherman's Fudge has a deep cocoa taste, is delicious right out of the jar or over ice cream (it doesn't become chewy over ice cream, a plus if you have dental work), and comes with a real fishing fly on top of every jar. I liked the Camper's Caramel, too, which does turn delightfully chewy over cold ice cream. I'm told the company's best-seller is their Sizzlin' Strawberry jalapeño Sauce.

Moose Lodge, Ltd. was founded in 1993 by Nancy Masterson, an appreciator of both good food and the great outdoors. At present, there are four sweet sauces, four hot products, and two no-added-sugar, no-added-fat toppings (Hiker's Heavenly Fudge and Climber's Carefree Caramel). Moose Lodge, Ltd. products are currently sold in gourmet stores all over the U.S., but if you can't find any where you live, call (800) 558-0990 (toll-free) to order. A few jars of these goodies would make a wonderful gift for those friends who've invited you to their shore house or the pet-sitter who looks after your menagerie when you're away...

I Love Chocolate wants YOU!!! Do you have a comment, question, or suggestion? How about a recent chocolate "find" you'd like to share? You can contact me at: sdziadwm@[email-address-removed]; I'd like your input on this column. Thanks!

'Til next edition,
Yours in chocolate,

Stephanie