I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Sure it's cliche,
but on a hot summer afternoon, nothing is more appealing than a double-dip
of butter pecan in a waffle cone, or maybe a bowl of vanilla with chocolate
fudge sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles on top. So where does an ice cream
fanatic hang out on the web? Several sites come to mind.
When I have an ice cream craving, the first place I head is the Ben & Jerry's homepage. In
addition to the company and product information you would expect from a
commercial site, you can play games like "Ben & Jerry -- Make them
Hairy!" or carve a jack-o-lantern in Vermont's finest virtual pumpkin
patch. In other areas, you can take a stand with Ben and Jerry on a variety
of social issues, visit their flavor graveyard or order an ice-cold six
pack of Ben & Jerry's pints for direct delivery.
Other commercial sites that are worth a lick? Check out the Edy's
/ Dreyer's site. (Pick your brand name -- it's Edy's in the East, Dreyer's
in the West.) Here you can send a friend a CyberCone, play the "Sundae
Madness" game and find out what your favorite ice cream flavor says
about your personality (using the site's sophisticated "flavorology" system).
Then meet John Harrison, Edy's "Official Taster," whose taste
buds are insured for a million dollars. You might also give the Häagen Dazs site a taste. While you're
there, pick up decadent recipes that feature Häagen Dazs ice cream.
One of the best ways to satisfy an ice cream craving is to make your own.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Ice
Cream Parlor is a good starting point. Select from more than 30 recipes
for ice cream, gelato, granitas and sorbets in addition to a variety of
ice cream toppings. Turn to the Frequently Asked Questions for directions
on how to make ice cream without a machine. Stephen Mann, a computer science
professor at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario also offers
great recipes on his Ice
Cream page. The list includes some unusual but tasty flavors, like "chocolate
peanut butter" and "grapefruit."
If you're ready to make old-fashioned ice cream but lack the hardware, check
out the Ice Cream Machines listing on Mann's
page. He's reviewed many of the popular models.
The next time you're screaming for ice cream, look to the Web for ideas
that will satisfy even the most discerning ice cream connoisseur. Of course,
all this talk of ice cream will make you want to high-tail it to the nearest
freezer. I think I'll head to mine right now for a scoop of pistachio. Or
maybe a bowl of chocolate fudge brownie, or....
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