Holiday Ice Cream Tasting

In mid-December, I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday Dessert Tasting at Creole Creamery in New Orleans.  Although it involved braving torrential downpours and flooded streets (remind why I live in a city that is BELOW sea level?), it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.  Presented as a six-course tasting, each course featured a different ice cream or sorbet flavor.  The event was hosted by Creole Creamery’s ice cream chef, Bryan Gilmore.  He provided a play-by-play of each course and was full of helpful information and tips about ice cream making.

We started off the tasting with a refreshing champagne punch paired with Cranberry & Satsuma sorbet.  Satsumas are local to Louisiana and offer a bright, citrus flavor similar to an orange.  The citrus went very well with the cranberry, but the sorbet was bit overwhelmed by the sweet punch.

The next course featured a Toasted Marshmallow Sundae (marshmallow cream cookie ice cream, marshmallow fluff and a homemade marshmallow toasted to a golden brown).  This sundae reminded me of my younger years roasting marshmallows with my family.

Bryan next served his homemade gingerbread topped with a spiced ice cream anglaise.  Melted ice cream served as a quick and tastey substitute for cream anglaise.

I very much enjoyed the next round when we were served a Winter Sundae, featuring Armagnac-stewed figs and toasted chestnuts and walnuts over brown sugar ice cream.  This would make a wonderful treat on a cold winter day.

My favorite by far was the fifth course – Blood Orange sorbet served in a tuile cup topped with star anise syrup.  The orange sorbet paired with the licorice flavored anise went perfectly together.  Plus Bryan put a lot of time into those tuile cups (which were also very good).  Look for a future post when I try to make my own version.

Last but not least we enjoyed a cute, little chocolate whoppie pie filled with peppermint ice cream.  If you have ever tried Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Jo-Jos (awesome), this was a yummy ice cream version of those delectable cookies.  A refreshing end to an enjoyable tasting.

By the end of the six courses I was coming off the initial sugar rush and heading towards a sugar coma, but each bite was worth it.  Luckily I had time to digest as I waited out the rain storm.  I can’t wait until the next tasting.

Sound good?  Many of these flavors are currently featured in the stores or will be soon.  Additional holiday flavors, such as Honey Almond Eggnog, Pear Noel, and Christmas Eve are also available for a short time.  Check out my first review of Creole Creamery for more information about the ice cream.