In light of the zen and healthy state of mind I’ve been in lately, my stomach has put in a request for something different and quite opposite. Actually not so much requested, but demanded unhealthy, fattening, horribly artery-clogging eats. I don’t know if anyone else suffers from this affliction, but there’ll be periods where I’m eating healthy. I’ve been a good girl. Then from the depths of some place unseen, my body is really, REALLY wanting the bad stuff. And this isn’t even when I’m PMS’ing!
What am I craving? What exactly do I want dancing on my tongue? Who do I turn to?
If I have to have any kind of girl crush besides Angelina Jolie (sorry Team Aniston fans), it’d be Nigella Lawson. I love watching her on tee vee. I love how she bashes things about; makes no apologies for her love of food; and makes raiding the kitchen in the middle of the night almost seem guilt-free.
Several months ago, I was watching one of her Nigella Bites episodes. I watched rapt, still, and hungry while she made Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding. I saw it, tried to find when it would air next and hit record on the PVR. I wanted to make this and I wanted to make it quite badly. But, as aforementioned, that was several months ago. How could I go from such a state of sheer absolute need and NOW! to one of, I can wait several months?? I’m not entirely sure. My parents came over for Sunday dinner and I needed to make a dessert. Well, I didn’t need to but since mum had made dinner – it was the least I could do. Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding it is!
But I didn’t want to just top it with some plain ‘ol whipped cream. I felt it really needed to be paired with something with a little more spunk.
Coffee ice cream. YES!
Nigella's Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding and Coffee Ice Cream.
Verdict: Love, LOVED! the coffee ice cream. I cannot stress the importance of an ice cream maker for the home. You will not go back to buying tubbed ice cream. Ok, Häagen-Dazs yes, but Breyer’s NO! (Bob was craving the chocolate chip mint and it had the texture of FOAM. Seriously disgusting.) Also, a book that I would completely recommend is the Williams-Sonoma Frozen Desserts book. We picked ours up at Home Sense for 7,00$. I thought making ice cream at home would be a complete pain, but I love making it! This book breaks it down easily and it’s got great visuals. Making ice cream at home is now one of my favourite therapies.
The pudding…. Maybe in my mind, I had a lot of hype surrounding it. The way Nigella describes things is absolutely amazing. She totally mesmerizes me first with her words, second with what she makes sometimes. Though it was good, I could really sense the effects of the baking soda on my tongue. (I never have self-rising flour so I made a substitute with baking powder and baking soda.) Not so much of a taste but more so a sensation? It’s hard to describe. It looks fantastic but in a lot of ways it seemed to be lacking. Maybe I should try Jamie Oliver’s version because he spices his up with some Ovaltine and cinnamon…
Recipe for Nigella’s Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding.
How funny that you mention breyers, hubby went to the store and picked up a breyers ice cream, I didn’t say anything because I do not want to discourage future grocey trips, but it was HORRIBLE< oh yuck..homemade is the best, coffee I can imagine how good this must have tasted, nigella draws you in and sometimes I have been left, like really not good..but I always go back..I'm still recording her on my dvr..
sweetlife
Hahahaha…. props to your husband for the grocery shopping! Maybe you can subtley hint at … Häagen-Dazs or even Ben and Jerry’s for the next trip? Did he enjoy the Breyer’s at least??? I don’t know if the containers are the same in the U.S., but here in Canada the container no longer says “Ice Cream”. It says… :( “FROZEN DESSERT”. When I first read it, I was shocked. But, lactose-intolerant people want to have their cake and eat it too. So, I understand. But my tastebuds don’t.
I agree with the Nigella conundrum. I am always drawn in by her enthusiasm, her ability to make you enjoy eating again. How it is a pleasureable experience and how you shouldn’t feel guilty for eating something so horribly bad for you. However, sometimes her recipes (though good in theory) do fall short.
Thanks for the lovely words Bonnie :)
Oh Nigella! I hate to admit it but I might have a girl crush on her too! I have never tried any of her recipes though I own 3 of her books :P How ridiculous is it that I buy just to read her writing but never bother with her recipes???
Anyway Sticky Toffee Pudding is probably my all time favourite dessert, I kid you not! I do make a GORGEOUS one, truth be told *ahem* and I’m absolutely in love with it :P
I think everyone gets that from deep within the belly craving for the most unhealthy but delicious rubbish on the planet!
HAhahahahaha!!! I own four of her books and I’ve used…. maybe 3-4 of her recipes. Lol…. But like I said in Bonnie’s comment, she sucks you in so well with her enthusiasm and no-nonsense attitude. Plus she is such a fox on tee vee. If she asked something of me, I’d do it. I think she has that charisma that you simply can’t hate.
Do you use regular dates or rolled dates for your sticky toffee pudding? Will we be seeing it on Quickies? Just jokes, if it’s a best-kept secret, I will not poke nor prod.. ;)
I completely agree. I think everyone has bouts of “good” eating days/habits; and bouts of horrendous eating where your body just wants copious amounts of salt, sweet, beer? lol..
I’ve started to make my own ice cream recently and totally agree – homemade can be pretty spectacular. Haven’t ventured into coffee ice cream yet but think I will have to soon. Maybe littering it with chocolate coated coffee beans. Mmmm.
Hi Conor,
i think the chocolate-coated coffee beans would be an excellent addition to this ice cream. I ate most of it myself and I’m so sad that there is none left. My butt and thighs are going to pay so dearly for this. lol…
What was the first flavour you decided to try?
Looks like a wonderful cooling dessert after one of Nancy’s curries. Inspired choice of coffee ice cream. Looks quite delicious. Fantastic job Jenn!
Cheers!
Thanks Lazaro! I think this would definitely be a sweet remedy to Nancy’s curries. Her vegetarian curry looked amazing. Thinking of it now is making me totally salivate… Mmmm…. vegetarian curry. :)
Hey Jenn, your coffee ice cream sounds wonderful to me right now. I’m usually pretty controlled, but, at this moment, if it were in front of me bad things would happen.
Ooh, and maybe this is too weird, but I’ve never watched Nigella’s show. She doesn’t even look familiar to me, though I know her name through blogs and such.
P.S. I’m putting fried wontons into broth tonight-yes!
Hi Stella,
hahaha! Wow, if I’ve magically enticed the Witchy Kitchen, I think that is pretty amazing! Seriously though, it was one of the best batches of ice cream I’ve made in a really long time. So good, I’ve already finished it. Most of it going to my butt and thighs. But no matter, I’m sure another batch will be made many more times throughout the summer months. I hope it’ll be hot this year though…
How neat! If you have a chance to cath her in action, I’d recommend but don’t go out of your way. She really is quite entertaining to watch :)
Btw, what’s your verdict on deep-fried wontons in broth? I like it, but I can understand that it’s not for everyone :)
whoa this looks fantastic! I love Nigella too, even though I cringe at the amount of unhealthy fat she uses…I won’t deny that it makes my mouth water!
Hahaha… sometimes it’s just best to throw caution to the wind. And of course, no harm’s done by simply watching it on television. Nigella is simply oh-so charming :)
Hi Jenn, *kisses on cheeks* right back at’cha!
Oh yes…I’m totally Angelina team come on? The woman can raise 6 kids, do charity all over the world, grab and hold gorgeous Brad Pitt, fly a plane, ride a motorcycle, be extremely bad ass on screen, and look amazing. And what poor thing Aniston can do?………… Yes, right… she has an iconic haircut. I rest my case, LoL. Ice cream machine? Yes absolutely, I already got mine but somehow couldn’t find time to churn some yumminess with it. Your parents really had a treat. Sticky pudding is in my to do list now.
Have a good weekend (yes, I’m already in weekend mode) LoL.
Hello My Anna,
I KNOW!!!!! 6 KIDS! CHARITIES! BRAD PITT!!! (though he is rather “conventional” for me…) lol….
BEST QUOTE!!! “And what poor thing Aniston can do?………… Yes, right… she has an iconic haircut. I rest my case.”
Lots of caps. sorry, I don’t mean to yellllllll hahahaha…
Maybe a nice chocolate-hazelnut gelato could be put into your churner?? That’s what I’m thinking of next. Though, admittedly, the chocolate ice cream recipe I have in that Williams-Sonoma book is kind of a bust. Still searching for the best, chocolate ice cream recipe for home.
Yes! Make this dessert! I just hope you find better luck with a better recipe. Nigella’s was… a slight disappointment.
Enjoy your weekend too. This week has been crap. ….
OK – you are funny. Did you watch Alice in Wonderland? The White Queen is based on Nigella apparently…and I am SO with you about Angelina Jolie!!
Hi Belinda,
thanks for much for stopping by, I’m glad I’ve amused you :)
You know, I have yet to watch Alice in Wonderland. (I’m assuming you meant the Johnny Depp/Tim Burton version). I want to watch it… is it rentable?
Hahahaha… are you serious? that is awesome news! Nigella – The White Queen. Fascinating, most definitely!
Angelina Jolie – my hero/girlfriend. lol.
I love Nigella too! Her sticky toffee pudding is great. Just wish she would have more new episodes of her programs.
Isn’t she a doll? She is the best to watch but sometimes her recipes fall short. Unless if you’ve found some that turned out alright for you, do let me know. I read her books and feel her enthusiasm. And then I bake something and I’m thinking… bland? lacking something or other??? maybe it’s just my tastebuds though.
I do agree, it would be nice if she had some new shows. The last time I saw her was on Iron Chef America.
Your ice cream looks awesome! I wish we had some of that around this week. It’s been really, really hot and I haven’t a chance to make frozen yogurt yet… maybe I should add toffee to that?
More importantly don’t feel guilty. Fat isn’t as bad as you’ve been told :)
(I promise one of these days I’ll post a little summary of Good Calories, Bad Calories. I’ve just been very mentally drained from all the excitement at work lately)
Thanks Zibi! It really was divine and welcoming. It’s funny, we’re the Slurpee capital of the world (apprently and many Winnipeggers are very proud of that), but I never touch that stuff. Heck, I can’t even finish a small Slurpee. But when it comes to ice cream, that’s the cold stuff I can eat all year round. No problems.
Like a toffee frozen yogurt? I think you’re onto something!
Hahaha…. ok, good. I know fat isn’t bad per se, but when indulging in something like this, there is a strange guilt for some reason. You’ll have to relay the work excitement at some point. Did you get a promotion? Did you discover something amazing??
This ice cream just looks wonderful and perfect for summer. I think I’m all set for summer with a few favorite dishes, desserts, and drinks. This sure will be one of them. However, I don’t know Nigella but how you presented her makes me want to know her more.
I’ve had that bad moment when I just want to spoil myself. You’re not alone on this :=)
I think if you’re a fan of coffee, coffee ice cream is definitely a great summer treat. I’m not set for summer. We’re waiting for our fence and deck to be built. Actually I think the fence goes up today, thank goodness. I like my neighbours, but i don’t love ‘em.
Nigella is worth checking into. She is a kitchen goddess. And yes, spoiling one’s self with delicious, horrible bad-for-you foods is ok everyonce in a while :)
Hahaha… you were enticed by Nigella l-awesom-ness.
She is a total nut in describing food, with such gentle flowing manner. She is a food hypnotiser. If I’d become a psychiatrist in an anorexia institute, I would definitely switch on her videos 24/7 in that rehab. I think it would be an effective therapy. Every time I watch her shows, I seems to have the need to get up and cook something.
I am so jealous of your ice cream fever right now. I haven’t made one for a year now. The machine is no 3 on my over 1000 dlr kitchen gadget wishlist… *sigh*one day.
YES!!! She is awesome and amazing. And though the recipes I’ve tried from her are ok, I still love watching her. You know, I think you may be on to something if people watched her programs. She’s knows just the right words to use when describing what she’s making. It’s hard not to feel the enthusiasm.
Pierre, I now cannot live without my ice cream maker. And now with summer along the way, I think i’ll be using it much more… I was going to ask, do you have a stand mixer? maybe just buy the ice cream attachment?
Dude -samezies.. I get those cravings ALL THE TIME! As I type this I am eating potato chips because I NEEDED salty food! Most of the time, about 80% I would say, I get by eating healthy and being satisfied with that. But sometimes, sometimes you just gotta fall off the wagon! And I say when you do, do it with gusto!
I have never heard of this Nigella Lawson and thank you for introducing her to me! So sad I am that I do not have an ice cream maker at home :( A part of me is very afraid to have one though. I MIGHT go off the deep end.
Sorry to hear the pudding fell short :( But c’est la vie on to the next recipe! (hey that rhymes haha!)
cheers!
C
DUDE!!!! Yes, it’s either extreme sweet (which is how I mostly go) or extreme salt. Yesterday I had two chocolate caramel granola bars and then proceeded to eat half a box of ritz crackers with cheese in between. I felt so horrible afterwards but my stomach was so content.
Do you have Viva channel? Her show Nigella Bites is on there. PVR an episode if you can and just check her out. she is Amazeballs.
And an ice cream maker: useless necessity. Think of it this way: if I have one, and I haven’t gone into a diabetic coma, you’ll be fine. Plus you’ve got nursing and nutrition under your belt. :)
Look at you bustin’ out those rhymes!
I adore Nigella, it’s so hard to not find her or her writing mesmerizing, but I have to agree with you that her recipes often do fall short. I have tried several now and have been devastated each time :( {Nigella, if you’re reading this, know that I still adore you.}
Anyway, when you find the holy grail of Sticky Toffee Pudding, do let me know, because that is one of my all time favorite desserts!