IT’S FAIR TO SAY THIS WILL BE A BUSY MONTH

DEAR READERS: I told you Sandy Killian and I judged the Homemade Ice Cream

Contest at the Oklahoma County Fair on

Aug. 26. There were five categories and a total of 17 entries. Choosing the best was difficult, as always, but we certainly enjoyed each bite.

These winners were too good not to share. The flavor was great in each entry. What more do you want? Also, if there are foods you can’t eat because of health reasons, try the recipe that won the no sugar added category entered by Kathryn Wells.

This vanilla ice cream, entered by Lydia Engle, not only won first place in the vanilla category, it won the Overall Ice Cream Grand Champion plaque for Best of Show.

LYDIA’S VANILLA ICE CREAM

2 cups whipping cream ¾ cup homogenized milk ¾ cup sugar 2 tablespoons vanilla extract ½ vanilla bean

Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a shallow pan. Heat until mixture starts to bubble slightly. Turn off heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Allow to cool before pouring into ice cream maker. Freeze and let set in freezer 3-to-4 hours before serving.

Lydia also won first place in the chocolate category.

LYDIA’S CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

½ cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of fine salt

2 cups whipping cream, cold

In large mixing bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt. When the mixture becomes thick, set aside. Beat the whipping cream with electric mixer at mediumhigh speed until firm peaks form, about 2 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold about 1-cup of the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa mixture until combined, then fold this mixture into the remaining whipped cream until well blended. Pour into glass container, cover and freeze until thick and creamy, like soft-serve, about 2 hours. Swirl in any desired mix-ins with a spoon. Cover and continue to freeze until solid and scoopable, about 3 more hours.

Those Engle girls are all good ice cream makers. Sarah Engle won first with her chocolate s’mores in the chocolate with other ingredients category.

CHOCOLATE S’MORES ICE CREAM

1 cup homogenized milk 1 cup evaporated milk

1 ¼ cups whipping cream 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1/3 cup cocoa

2/3 cup sugar 2 tablespoons white corn syrup 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, crushed

¼ cup mini-marshmallows ½ cup crushed graham crackers

In large mixing bowl, whisk together all milk products while adding, cornstarch, cocoa and sugar. Mix well and stir in corn syrup, chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers. Cover and freeze until solid and ready to serve.

Yes, others besides Engles were winners. Lacy Amen won first place with her pear ice cream in the any other flavor category.

Lacy said when making the Pear Honey, when adding the sugar, it’s about 5 cups or to taste, so add a little at a time.

PEAR HONEY

8 cups pears

1 tablespoon lemon juice 5 cups sugar, approximately 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple

Peel, chop and smash pears. Mix in medium saucepan with lemon juice, pineapple and sugar. Cook about 4 hours or until pears are really soft, continuing to mash as you stir. This can be used immediately or canned, if desired.

PEAR ICE CREAM

3 cups milk

1 ½ cups sugar

1 ½ cups whipping cream 2 cups half and half 3 teaspoons vanilla 1 cup pear honey

Mix all ingredients together and freeze and serve.

And last but not least is watermelon coconut ice cream, firstplace winner, in the no sugar added category by Kathryn Wells.

WATERMELON COCONUT ICE CREAM

1 can full-fat coconut milk 5 pitted dates

1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ½ cups cubed watermelon 2 tablespoons agave syrup

Blend all ingredients in electric blender. Pour into ice cream canister and stir until smooth. Freeze until ready to serve.

I want you all to come see me at the State Fair, which I understand will be bigger, better and best this year.

I’ll be there judging contests for two weeks, and you can come watch all the contest judging that goes on during the life of the event. I plan to be there judging the Great American Spam Championship contest on Sept. 16, and everyone is invited to come watch.

You would be amazed at what the contestants can do with a can of Spam. You might also enjoy joining us for these events: Sept. 18, Scrumptious From Scratch; Sept. 20, C&H Sugar Cake Contest; Sept. 23 at 10 a.m., Pancake Cooking, and at 5 p.m. the same day, Oklahoma Pride Cooking Contest. It’s fun and each judge is serious when choosing winners. Come, see.

— Melba If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you’d like to share, email mlovelace@oklahoman.com or write to Melba’s Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.