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Parties That Cook’s Summer Sweets Round-Up: Chicago’s Best Creameries

San Francisco is cool, but right now, Chicago is HOT! We know it’s been a while, so we thought it’s time for another great guest post from Parties That Cook’s awesome Chicago team. City manager, Brandy, take it away:

It’s been one of the hottest Chicago June’s on record – so bring on the ice cream, gelato and custard! I polled our lead chefs to see where they go to cool off and enjoy some sweet treats.

When Chef David isn’t working at Girl & The Goat, he gets his fix at Black Dog Gelato. They offer a great selection of out-of-the-ordinary flavors like goat cheese+caramel+cashews or brown butter+bourbon. He also loves Black Dog because it’s truly a home grown Chicago business.

Chef Liz, our chef in the burbs, raves about All Chocolate Kitchen in Geneva. According to Liz, they have the best Gelato outside of Italy!  I don’t doubt her — All Chocolate Kitchen’s gelato is made fresh everyday using natural and artisan ingredients. Swing by for a taste of Stracciatella, vanilla with chocolate traces, Pistachio from the region of Bronte, or a sweet Passionfruit. Yum!

Chef Heidi’s favorite spot, Ollie’s Frozen Custard, is close to her hometown in DeKalb. She used to go with her parents and now brings her children! Heidi’s pick for the best menu item is Black Raspberry Custard, but you have to go on Saturday to get that famous flavor. If you’re a chocolate lover, the Turtle Sundae is TDF (high five for anyone who correctly guesses that acronym). All summer long, the custard is served up by local high school students to a long, winding line of dedicated patrons.  They tough it out even while being attacked by relentless mosquitoes! City dwellers who make the journey: If you can’t get enough of Ollie’s on the spot, they’ll pack a quart on ice to take home!

My favorite spot is the famous Margie’s Candies. My parents took me there as a kid after White Sox games, and the whole family would share one of their “Jumbo Creations”. Oh, memories of the Turtle Tummy Buster… Five scoops of Margie’s Famous Ice Cream and a Turtle on top. Over the top? Yes. Worth the 30 minutes wait? Yes. Delish? Oh, yes! I even hear the joint has been visited by Al Capone, and after performing at Comiskey Park, The Beatles dropped by with dates and enjoyed Margie’s Atomic Buster Sundaes – a fruit and fudge delight. Nice choice, fellas.

Here’s to a long summer of spooning up some of the best!

Thanks for that fun round-up, Brandy! I’m sure mouths are now watering and ice cream cravings have been sparked! Now I’m off to see if there’s some way to incorporate ice cream into our cooking classes in Chicago! Date Night, maybe? Brews & Bites?? Cupcake Wars?!

Parties That Cook’s Top Ten Summer Appetizer Recipes

Summer’s finally here! Parties That Cook is so excited to pull out our grills and host a barbecue (or ten)! We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite summer appetizer recipes, and now we’re putting you to work. Whip up any combination of these tasty bites and bask in the glory of being the Host with the Most. Throwing a summer party can be stressful (to say the least) but with these 10 simple appetizer recipes in your back pocket, you’re off on the right foot!

Little Fish Tacos with Tomato Salad and Chipotle-Lime Crema

If you love fresh (and easy!) seafood, we’ve got just the right dish for you. Our fish tacos are a fresh way to spice up any summer get-together. Fresh cilantro will give these tacos the little kick your fiesta needs to get started!

Cornbread Tartlets with Ricotta and Tomatoes

Cornbread can be more than just a side! Add fresh tomatoes and ricotta to a classic cornbread recipe, and you’ve got a whole new dish! With a pinch of fresh cilantro, these tartlets will knock you off your feet.

Zucchini Pancakes with Feta, Capers and Mint

Pancakes for an appetizer? Why, yes! These savory mini pancakes are far from your boring typical breakfast pancake. Zucchini adds just the touch of color your summer soiree needs. Top this delicious dish with yogurt and mint to bring out fresh flavors that scream summer!

Crostini “Caprese” with Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Chocolate Balsamic Reduction

Who said chocolate was only for dessert? Add fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and garlic bread, and you’ve got one delicious appetizer. Fresh tomatoes are a summer staple, so be sure to grab some at your local farmer’s market! We recommend a baguette for the crostini but you can experiment with your favorite bread.

Mini Gyro Pita Pockets with Grilled Lamb and Tzatziki Sauce

Take a summer trip to Greece, or just have a gyro! These scrumptious appetizers are light enough not to ruin an appetite, but satisfying enough to hold you over for the main course. We made ours with Lamb so they’re tender and packed with loads of flavor, but you can easily substitute the meat of your choice.

Barbecued Oysters On The Half Shell

Oysters are an easy (and fast) way to offer guests an amazingly fresh appetizer. Raw oysters might scare off some guests, but barbecuing means everyone at the party can enjoy the delicious flavors.

Griddled Corn Cakes with Bacon and Sour Cream

The best things in life are topped with sour cream and sprinkled with bacon (YUM). Standing in at 2”, these little fellas bring more to the table than one of summer’s most popular ingredients formerly (and currently) known as Corn.

Bacon-Wrapped Peaches with Blue Cheese and Balsamic-Honey Glaze

Peaches wrapped in bacon. Need we say more? When Sweet and Savory battle it out in one dish, we all win. (Seriously, who doesn’t love bacon!?) With this great combination of flavors your guests (and the cheese) will melt for another taste.

Lamb Skewers with Mint Pesto

What’s more perfect for summer than skewers?? These tender lovin’ lamb skewers are a great start to any summer bash. Kick off your next party with fresh Mint Pesto!

Guacamole with Nectarines and Corn

Feeling festive this summer? Throw on a sombrero, an apron, and whip up our delicious seasonal Guacamole with a twist! Fresh nectarines help this classic Mexican dish stand above the rest. Good luck sharing!