mandy-like.

i wish mandy could come over today and we could dress up and dip our fingers in glitter makeup pots and rake it under our eyes. deep blues and sparkley pink-purples. she'll be leaving for college in less than a week :( i will lose my model! and of course my best friend [& cousin], but she will be back home a lot, and i'll be busy with my classes and working.
have cut out all my sailor moon paper dolls that mom printed out for me. i need to go biking or running later on.

Hot-Tin-Roof-Sundae

Bon Appétit | February 2009

by Elizabeth Falkner

Chocolate-caramel sauce:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 60% cocoa), chopped

Ice cream:

• 3 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk
• 12 tablespoons cocoa nibs,* divided
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 6 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 11/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
• 1/8 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• Chili-Lime Peanuts

Preparation

For chocolate-caramel sauce:
Stir first 4 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, occasionally brushing down pan sides with wet pastry brush. Increase heat and boil until syrup is deep amber, swirling pan occasionally, about 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Add cream and butter (mixture will bubble up). Stir until any caramel bits dissolve. Stir in salt and vanilla. Add chocolate; stir until melted and smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Transfer sauce to medium bowl; cover and chill. Rewarm before using.

For ice cream:
Bring milk, 6 tablespoons cocoa nibs, sugar, and corn syrup just to boil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; cover. Steep 20 minutes.

Whisk egg yolks and cornstarch in medium bowl until blended; gradually whisk in warm milk mixture. Return custard to same saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until custard thickens and just begins to boil, 2 to 3 minutes. Strain custard into large bowl; discard nibs. Whisk in cream and coarse salt. Chill custard until cold.

Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to container; mix in remaining 6 tablespoons cocoa nibs. Cover and freeze at least 6 hours and up to 2 days.

For each sundae, place 2 scoops ice cream in short tumbler; spoon warm sauce over. Sprinkle with Chili-Lime Peanuts.

sources: death wears diamond jewelry, vamoose, necoration, tim walker photography.