July 15th is National Ice Cream Day!

Sunday is National Ice Cream Day!!

Yep, you read that right! According to Wikipedia . . .

Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month in 1984.^[1] He also named the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Reagan recognized the popularity of ice cream in the United States (90% of the nation's population consumes ice cream) and stated that these two events should be observed with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

So in anticipation of Sunday's foodie holiday, here are a few ice cream tricks courtesy of Cook's Illustrated . . .

Ice Cream Cone Drip Dam

Drop a mini-marshmallow in the bottom of the cone to stop melted ice cream from leaking out the bottom of the cone, all over your hand & down your arm.

Source: cooksillustrated.com via Fortuitous on Pinterest

I've been doing this marshmallow trick for years - can't recall where I pick it up from.

The Baron & Master LOVE popping one, two, sometimes three marshmallow into their cones before I scoop on the ice cream -- they're like a little extra treat waiting for them.

Chilled Bowl Slow Melting

If you're serving bowls of ice cream, sundaes or splits, Cook's Illustrated reader, Christina Studt of Springfield, VA suggests putting bowls in the freeze - the cold bowls slows down ice cream melting.

Source: cooksillustrated.com via Fortuitous on Pinterest

Ice Cream Preservation

And once you're done scooping, here are a couple simple ways to protect your ice cream from freezer burn . . .

To decrease the air space inside a no-longer-full ice cream carton, cut down sides of the carton to just above the ice cream level, then replace the lid & store in the freezer.

Source: americastestkitchenfeed.com via America's Test Kitchen on Pinterest

An even quicker no-scissors required option comes from another Cook's Illustrated reader, Lydia Golub of Upper Montclair, NJ.  Lydia suggests before putting the ice cream in the freezer, cover the remaining portion with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap onto the ice cream.

Source: cooksillustrated.com via Fortuitous on Pinterest

So how will be observing National Ice Cream Day in Weeksworld?

I'm gonna break out the ol' Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker and make a batch of my very favorite flavor - Fresh Peach.

Source: topnfun.com via Fortuitous on Pinterest

I loved making peach ice cream in the summertime when I was a kid - sitting out on the porch, taking turns with my Dad & brother churning our old ice cream maker.

What's your favorite ice cream flavor?

How will you observe yet another foodie holiday?

Happy licking, everybody!