Monkey Tails

When I was younger, my parents would occasionally take me to the local Dairy Queen for treats. My dad would get sundaes, my mom would get blizzards, my sister would get towering cones of chocolate ice cream, and I would get Monkey Tails. Because, to a nine year old me, frozen bananas were much more delicious than hot fudge and sprinkles (and I think they always will be).

Recently, I have been swept with a burst of childhood whimsy. You can spot me eating caramel apples, singing camp songs, and swinging at the local playground. And so, when I remembered Monkey Tails earlier today, I vowed to make them.

My sister and her lovely friend were the recipients of these Monkey Tails. Though, with their teenage minds, they took my innocent, childhood frozen bananas and turned them into more "that's what she said" jokes than I care to admit. I forgive them. Once that first bite is taken, childhood rushes back and hits you with such a force that you cannot help but be nostalgic.

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Roasted Cherry Coconut Ice Cream

I tried my first real cherry a week ago.

My childhood had been scarred by cherry flavored medicine. My parents could only make me take it if cookies were promised and in full view. I will argue that it is the single worst thing I have ever tasted. From that point on, I avoided cherry popsicles, cherry koolaid... anything that even looked red (including holiday oreos with red colored filling). I had always assumed that real cherries would have that same awful overly sweet bitter taste. At the ripe age of 22, I figured it was time to find out the truth.

Real cherries tasted nothing like the branded generic cherry flavor. It was a revelation! An inspiration! I indulged in the flavor, the texture, and the intricacies of this new and exciting fruit (eating half a pound in the process). Then and there, the fates decided that cherries would have a presence in my life.

This roasted cherry coconut ice cream is absolutely divine. It is so easy to make and tastes gourmet. The roasted cherries are sweet and glorious and I can't stop talking about them. The ice cream itself has a fairly intense coconut flavor and can stand alone if need be, but the cherries really round out the flavors in the ice cream. This is, quite possibly, the best ice cream I have ever eaten.

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Grilled Peaches

Grills were made for summer and summers were made for barbecues. Last weekend, my family and a few friends gathered to feast on as many grilled meats and vegetables as we could stand. Which, it turns out, is quite a bit. The mushrooms were absolutely to die for. I managed to eat nearly all of them by myself, stealing as many as I could from the serving platter before anyone noticed (and then, again, after they did). When it comes to grilled vegetables, I have no shame.
After such a perfect summer meal, only a grilled dessert could complete the picture. And so, grilled peaches it became. They are sweet, juicy, and practically melt in your mouth. Topped with brown sugar and cinnamon, they pose as crust-less peach cobblers and pies. Add a side of vanilla ice cream and you will have yourself the perfect dessert to bring your barbecue to an end.

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