2008.08.14
Whipping cream and beating the squirrels
I'll probably never again have the opportunity to title a blog entry like that. I'm taking advantage of it while I can.
As you may have guessed, today's entry is about two different topics. First, I want to share news about a cool new product. Then we'll move on to a reader's question.
I'm intrigued by the Easy Whip, a new kitchen tool by a company called iSi North America that makes homemade whipped cream and dispenses it with the ease of a store-bought canister such as ReddiWip.
All you do with this device is pour in heavy whipping cream and a sweetener such as confectioner's sugar, "charge the whipper" (whatever that means) and squirt it out. How nifty is that?
This is what the Easy Whip looks like. It reminds me of the Aunt Jemima bottle's thinner, more elegant cousin. For more information about the Easy Whip, go to this Web site.
Next up, if you've been reading the comments, you may have noticed that blog reader Debbie's daughter is having a little problem with her tomato crop this year. The culprit: those darn squirrels!
Pepper? I know some bird seed mixes include cayenne, or another type of hot pepper, to politely dissuade squirrels. I wouldn't try this if you have dogs/cats or the neighbor pets free roam (or are they unwelcome free-roamers?).
A friend living in Falls Church used to try to grow veggies in his backyard. The squirrels ate *everything*. He finally started growing jalapeno peppers. As they began to fruit, he noticed one day that a few peppers had nibbles. None of his "crop" has been touched since.
Comment by Ed S. — August 14, 2008 @ 11:46 am
I won't lie, I was a little scared to click on the blog post's title. I kept thinking, "What did Lindsey make last night with whipped cream and squirrels... "
Comment by John — August 14, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
If you get an Easy Whip, let me know. I'd like to see how it works and how the whipped cream holds up. I've whipped a good amount of heavy cream in my life, being the assistant in Mom's kitchen every holiday that needed it, and for us, that's every holiday. Just kidding. But I know that as hard as I whip and as much as I use the electric beaters, the stuff is not as stiff as Reddi-wip and I doubt it would hold up under the pressure of being squirted out of such a device. I'd love to try it. Sounds like fun.
As for the squirrels...get a dog. It's about the only thing I know of that will actually deter the fluffy tailed rats. (I'm not exactly a squirrel lover.)
Comment by Heather Froeschl — August 14, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
We used a device like that at Starbucks when I worked there - it makes DELICIOUS whip cream. The charging part is for the little CO2 canisters - when they run out you have to get a new one.
On another note - I went to a Mexican restaurant yesterday and ordered "fried ice cream" for dessert - it came looking a whole lot like that picture above. After I started eating it I realized that it was not fried ice cream at all - it was ice cream with cocoa pebbles and cinnamin on top to add a crunch. Now it was absolutely delicious, but I wonder why they advertise it as fried ice cream? I felt a bit cheated.
Comment by Michelle — August 14, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
I get busy for a couple of days, away from the computer and return to ... this??
While reading the title, I automatically pictured roadkill squirrel topped with whipped cream. I think it'll be a while before I can enjoy whipped cream again. Blech!!
Comment by Amy Hanek — August 14, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
Well, John and Amy, you know I came from a squirrel-eatin' family, so you may have just given me a new idea.
Comment by Lindsey — August 14, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Might wanna wait till first frost to eat any squirrel.
I'm just saying.
Comment by Rich — August 14, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
"Charge the whipper"
Have you never heard of hippie crack, or whip-its?
Didn't you go to Radford?
It takes little cans of Nitrous oxide to fluff or 'charge' the cream.
Recreationally...you crack it into a balloon, inhale it, and everything goes in slow motion, and you here a "wuh wuh wuh wuh wuh" for 30 seconds or so.
Or so I've heard...
Comment by Rich — August 14, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
Thanks for the tips guys.
Lindsey, I have eaten many a squirrel in my lifetime too. Lots of rabbits, venison and frog legs also. I loved them all, but never had whipped cream on the squirrels, or any of the others for that matter. Don't think I want it either.
Comment by Debbie — August 14, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
No, Rich, I went to Roanoke College.
My sister, on the other hand, went to Radford.
Ha!
Comment by Lindsey — August 14, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
If you can get the squirrel to inhale a whip-it, does it make it easier to trap it?
Comment by Jim D — August 14, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
The squirrels eat eggplant too. They like to look at you and say "i'm eating eggplant parmesan and you're not!"
I also had a dog that would eat my tomatoes!
Comment by Amy — August 14, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
Jim, either that or he would suddenly be very hungry and decide to start on that second row of tomatoes.
Amy, my beloved childhood dog, Molly, used to sneak into the garden and eat green beans right off the vine. We thought it was so funny that we couldn't bear to scold her for it. I sure do miss that dog!
Comment by Lindsey — August 15, 2008 @ 9:41 am
Lindsey, I'm so glad you posted this! I got home last night and my nearly pefectly ripe first Celebrity tomato that I have been tending carefully was GONE! There were scratch marks in the pot soil. If I had not read this, I would have no idea that squirrels would take tomatoes! Evil little lawn rodents!
At least I know where my wonderful tomato likely went; I won't blame the neighbor's dog! And I will get some squirrel repellent or fencing or something!
Comment by Sherry — August 15, 2008 @ 9:56 am
I live in South Carolina and the squirrels are bad here also. They not only eat the veggies in the gardens, they eat the inside walls of houses. They do not like moth balls so you might try putting one or two at the base of the tomato plants to ward them off.
Comment by Brenda — August 15, 2008 @ 10:24 am
For best results when making whipped cream, use a chilled copper bowl to whip it in. Works like a charm, and holds up well.
Hippie crack. Never heard it called that, but quite fitting.
Comment by __Nathan — August 15, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Everyone, this is too funny! Whipped cream on a squirrel... Never woulda gone there, even after a whippet. I also support using a chilled copper pan to whip cream by hand. Or even stainless steel works better if it's cold.
I know it's a sin for some, but the squirrels don't like them unless they are red, so I pick my tomatoes just before they are completely red and finish them off in the kitchen window. They still have the wonderful homegrown taste. I don't know how successful the dog is, but she sure likes to chase the squirrels. It's a good thing the garden is fenced, though, because like your dog, Lindsey, mine likes to graze from the plants.
Comment by Julie — August 15, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
A cousin of mine in WV noticed a few yrs ago, that tomatoes and peppers were disappearing from his garden, and he thought maybe some neighbors were taking them. He came home early from work one day, looked in the backyard and saw his dog walking through the garden. He was the culprit. He picked only the ripest ones. He declared that the dog had Italian blood in him.
Comment by Debbie — August 15, 2008 @ 5:37 pm