San Diego is where it’s at.
Well, okay, where Christopher and I are at.
Yup, dear friends. It’s official.
We are now bona fide, without-a-shadow-of-a-doubt San Diegans.
And I am not quite sure how I feel about it yet.
It’s kind of like how that line in that Soundgarden song goes:
I’m looking California and feeling Minnesota.
Now, I don’t quite look California (too pale), and not quite Minnesota because I’m no longer perpetually chilled and just too darn glad to be here.
Happy to be here! — Image from ThePhotoSociety.Org
Please don’t get me wrong. I love Minnesota. It is after all the state that Christopher was born in and any state that sprouted my best friend will forever be a life-long friend of mine.
What I mean by Minnesota is that feeling when you no longer have the same address you once had and yet your new one feels like someone else’s who also just happens to have the same name as you.
And you are absolutely in a state of Minnesota when you feel like you’re not quite on either coast but somewhere geographically in the middle, despite the fact that you’ve arrived in California a whole month ago.
That’s where I’m at.
And though you may not be sure of a lot of things in this state, you know one thing for sure.
You’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.
Image from FocusFeatures.Com
You can see then how all this can leave a girl feeling, well, discombobulated.
And yet, despite all the millions of drivers here who give me a coronary every time I jump into the car and head out onto the freeways — and the seemingly universal lack of car blinker usage — the sun and sky have never looked prettier.
Not in any city I’ve been in so far, at least.
And the palm trees that have replaced the pine ones that I can see from our apartment windows (all seven … seven!) are like long-lost friends that I’ve just now had the pleasure to make.
And every other neighborhood seems to end with the word “Beach” here (and actually has one in it!).
And the produce. Well, let’s just say they do not mess around.
And as I sit here — a new San Diegan — it all reminds me that California or Minnesota, it’s pretty darn great to be just right where you are.
Even if you’re not quite sure where where you are is yet.
‘Cause California or Minnesota, you belong anywhere you want and choose to be.
No-Churn Roasted Peach Ice Cream with Mint and Lime
California or Minnesota, nothing tastes Summer like peaches and ice cream. However, roast those golden beauties and toss in some fresh mint and lime and you’ve just created frozen, silky-smooth perfection. And you won’t even need an ice cream maker to make it.
Inspired by Kitchen Simplicity
Makes 8 servings
2 large (1 pound) ripe organic yellow peaches, halved and pitted
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon turbinado sugar
lime zest from one small, whole lime
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
handful fresh mint leaves, torn into small, evenly sized pieces
1 – 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
2 cups heavy whipping cream, very cold
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 425 Degrees F.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl — using a rubber spatula — fold peach halves, melted butter and turbinado sugar together until peaches are evenly coated.
Place peach halves — cut side facing up — onto parchment-lined baking sheet and transfer to middle rack of preheated oven.
Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until tops begin to golden.
Remove roasted peaches from oven and place on serving plate to cool to room temperature.
When peaches are barely warm to the touch — using your fingers — gently remove skins from peach halves and discard. Chop peaches into uniform, small pieces.
In a small mixing bowl — using a rubber spatula — fold chopped peaches, lime zest, lime juice and torn mint leaves together until well combined. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl — using a hand mixer at medium/medium-high speed — beat sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form.
Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in your roasted peach mixture into your ice cream mixture until combined.
Using your rubber spatula again, turn ice cream mixture onto a 9 x 9-inch baking pan, spread out evenly and gently smooth out surface.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil — then lightly with plastic cling wrap — and place into freezer for at least 6 hours to overnight.
20 – 25 minutes before serving, remove ice cream container from freezer and let sit at room temperature to soften slightly.
Scoop ice cream into small serving bowls, share and …
Enjoy!
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Small Kitchen Chronicles 
Welcome back beautiful! Ooh…and SEND ME ICE CREAMZ!!!! :)~
Thanks, Shawn! And the ice creamz in the mail =)
Luvs! xo
Welcome back! I wish I would live again close to beach!!! Your ice cream looks so good! I love peach and mint and the combination is GREAT!!!
Thank you so much, Rita! Glad to be back =)
And so glad you like the ice cream; the combination is awesome!
xo!
Yay!! Glad to see a new post from you and happy to hear you’re settling in well! On the “seemingly universal lack of car blinker usage” <– that describes Houston PERFECTLY. I wouldn't have expected that in San Diego! Ah well, at least you're embracing the palm trees and the beach and the peaches instead of dwelling on that. This looks so fabulous–I love how the ice cream looks chock-full of delicious roasted fruit! This is so perfect for the end of peach season (nooo!) and I seriously need to get on this no-churn ice cream business.
Erika! So good to hear from you, blogging sister =) Alas, yes, the seemingly universal lack of car blinker usage — I know, what IS up with that? — but gosh darn it, we will prevail!
I am so glad you like the ice cream. And yes, it is chock-full of yummy roasted peaches! I am all about that and actually, is just the right amount =)
Hope all is well, lovely, thanks so much for the continued support! To say you’re awesome is an understatement 😉
xo!
So glad you are enjoying being a San Diegan! And I agree with you, you belong where you chose to belong! If you had told me I would live in Lille and ENJOY it two years ago, I would probably have shrugged my shoulders, but the moment I moved there I realised that it was going to be a great adventure, and I have enjoyed every moment! I hope you are enjoying discovering new places, meeting new people, eating fresh produce, and going to the beach! 🙂 Lovely ice cream too, I am very intrigued by the flavor combination!
Thank you, Darya, and you are so right. I haven’t really gone to the beach yet — unless walking around barefoot a little bit in the sand counts 😉 — but it is on the agenda and have my bikini all set out and ready as a reminder! We are discovering new places little by little, and, yes, enjoying all this lovely produce and look forward to also meeting new people and make some new friends too. All in good time, and remembering to also enjoy the process and not get too ahead of oneself, you know?
And thank you re: the ice cream; the flavor combo is delightful!
Hope all is well, Darya, my very warmest =)
– Welcome to California, Christina!!!
I have been Californian for the last 42 yrs and love every moment of it. And, in all California, you have settled in one of the most beautiful cities with so much to offer, including the weather!
– Warm summer and roasted peach ice-cream w/ mint and lime is just the right idea!
Aww, thank you so much, Fae; I appreciate the warm welcome!
Re: the ice cream, that was my intention; so glad that came through =)
xo!
Welcome back dear Christina. I feel so much closer to you now that we’re in the same state! Yay! 🙂 This roasted peach ice cream sounds delicious. I can go for a few scoops right now. Thanks for sharing and BIG HUGS to you! 🙂
Thank you, Anne — glad to be back — and what wonderful serendipity that we are now officially “neighbors”. Yay!
And thank you re: the ice cream; I wish I could beam you some over right now =)
BIG HUGS back, lovely; hope you are doing wonderfully xo!
Clear blue skies and palm trees – could live with that! Okay, there’s a sandy beach less than five away. With great cloud formations, most days 🙂
– Buying in necessary ingredients to make this over the weekend. As I’ve just remade my banana cake again with crumbles, plum compote and spices. Didn’t know what to serve it with as it may look too dry in photos. Now I know.
Hey Johnny!
That beach sounds lovely! It may not be like the ones we have here, but they are all wonderful in their own unique way =)
Yum re: your banana cake with crumbles, plum compote and spices and re: the ice cream; so glad to hear. Yes, please stop on back and let me know how you like it … I think you’ll really enjoy it!
Warmest to you, foodie friend =)
Hello beautiful! It is so, so good to hear that you and Christopher are ‘settling in’ in your new home. Seven windows! Ha! That’s amazing, particularly if you have gorgeous views all around 🙂
I completely agree about home being ‘where you are’. For me, being ‘home’ is wherever my best friend Aaron is (whether that be in an airport, unfamiliar house, our apartment or on the beach) so I am sure that with both of you together, this San Diego chapter will be wonderful! Lots of love, blogging sister xx
P.S this ice cream sounds AMAZING. I am so happy it’s a no-churn recipe! Bookmarked for when our summer fruit hits the stores 🙂
Hi, Laura, my dear!
Thank you so much for your wonderful words and thoughtful well-wishes. Yes, I think that home is wherever you want to be and I think your idea of home exemplifies that to a tee (now I’m rhyming! 😉
Lots of love back, blogging sister, hope all is wonderfully well where you are xo!
P.S. Re: the no-churn, so glad to hear that, lovely =)
xo!
Congrats on the new move, fellow Californian! 🙂 I hear you about feeling transient (not in the homeless sense) somewhere between here and there, and not really knowing what “home” is anymore. It’s a strange but thrilling feeling, a new adventure where you get to discover new restaurants, new favorite spots, new people! I hope you love your new home!
This recipe looks simply extraordinary – I love the idea of roasted peaches – so perfectly summer and delicious! xoxo
Aww, so wonderfully put, Lindsay, thank you, and thank you so much for the kind well-wishes! Yes, we are now officially fellow Californians! Representing, lol!
And so glad you liked the recipe. And I second your notion on the roasted peaches! I have always loved the caramel-y-ness of roasting anything naturally sweet, and felt that it would be such a great combo with the freshness of the mint and lime. My little culinary homage to all that is local and Summer =)
xo!
Delicious ice cream recipe! I’m glad you are settling in, living in new places always takes some adjusting, however exciting it is!
Thank you, Beth! And wise words indeed; thank you so much for the reminder =)
xo!
Your peach-mint ice cream looks so delicious sweetie! Nom nom nom, I wish I was there to try some with you! 🙂 I totally hear you on “I’m looking California, but feeling Minnesota.”. We are in our new house, but it still feels like it’s someone else’s house. I’m sure that will change with time, maybe I need to paint or something to make it feel like mine? Maybe…knock down a wall?! Kadoosh!! Probably won’t go that far…Jon might get mad. 😉 Great post honey, love you, big hugs!
Hi honey!
I wish you were to try some with me =)
I think the “California/Minnesota” will change in due time; I think we just need to learn to enjoy where we’re at in the meantime, you know? It’s easy to think we need to change things, but sometimes, it’s just recognizing the awesome that already exists exactly right where you are. Can’t wait to see your new place whenever that may be, and love you right back, dear sis!
BIG hugs xo!
I have never been to San Diego but I have been told that it’s gorgeous. I guess you said goodbye to cold and snowy winters. 🙂
The icecream looks delicious!
You couldn’t me more correct, Francesca! No more snowy and cold winters for this girl except for when Christopher and I go back east to visit my parents in RI this Thanksgiving 😉
Yes, San Diego is a beauty; I so look forward to discovering more of her =)
And thank you re: the ice cream … it’s the roasted peach, mint and lime triple combination =)
xo!
Love it x
So glad and thank you, lovely! xo
This looks amazing!!
Thanks, Daniela! xo
A big warm, blue skies, sunny weather, California welcome to you! Now you can officially call yourself a “California girl” (which always makes me think of the Beach Boys–I am totally dating myself. . .) Hope your MInnesota feelings fade in the “warmth of the sun.”
The peach ice cream looks delicious and I can totally picture you and Christopher walking along the beach at sunset enjoying a cone together. Truly la dolce vita!
Aw, thank you for the warm California welcome (and wishes), Rose! It seems like we are both California girls now 😉
And what a beautiful image you painted of Christopher and I! La dolce vita, indeed!
Hope all is well and thanks so much for stopping by, Rose. It is always such a treat to hear from you =)
xo
I love peaches, so there is no question, I have to try your recipe. It sounds so delicious. I totally enjoyed your post anyway.
Please do, Sika; and stop back on by and let me know how you liked it =)
So glad to hear you enjoyed the post too!
xo
Hey Neighbor!
Lovely looking texture of the ice cream. Interesting how the ingredients come together to make ice cream without a ice cream machine. Peaches are my favorite fruit at the moment. I just ate some ice cream a few hours ago, but now I want some of this ice cream! Fan of Soundgarden as well. I’m glad that you are glad to be in SD! I hope you are having some fun adventures exploring the city!
Hey Samantha,
Glad you liked it! I know, aren’t peaches just the best? Love ’em! Thank you for the well wishes, neighbor, and so glad to be sharing this city with you =)
xo!
Roasted peach icecream, what a great idea (and even greater looks)!
Good to hear that you feel well in your new town – I can imagine that San Diego is a great place.
Thank you so much, Claudia, and so nice hearing from you (as always)!
Yes, San Diego has many parts that are quite lovely. I am slowly getting to know it better and better every day and I suspect will like it more and more, the more I do =)
Hope all is wonderfully well out there in Berlin, Claudia, and thank you for stopping by!
xo!
I just found your blog and it’s wonderful. I’ll be visiting often.
daisy
P.S. Welcome to California!
So glad to hear! You are welcome here anytime, Daisy =) And thank you so much for the warm California welcome!
xo
This recipe looks awesome! Fresh peaches in this, such a delight. Glad you are starting to get a bit settled, in time you’ll feel more Californian but I do know that in between feeling! Here’s a few words from Neil Diamond too just to show that universal struggle being stuck between to places, and who are you now. Took me quite awhile to unthaw from Washington, and feel like I belonged here
“Well, I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I’m lost between two shores
LA’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home but it ain’t mine no more”
Wishing you the best and all the protection with those SoCal drivers!
Thank you so much, sweetie, and that Neil Diamond … I think he’s been there himself 😉
Wishing you back the best, dear friend, and can’t wait to see you in a few days (a few days!)!
Much love ’til then,
xo!
Never dared to make ice cream that sounds a little less intimidating so am gonna try it.
So glad to hear that, Antypasti! Please stop on back and let me know how you liked it =)
xo
Christina, I saw your picture of the peaches and ice cream, and I thought “I can die now.” So beautifully shot, as always. I might have to make this recipe, it sounds delectable! You also cracked me up with your “were not in Kansas anymore”. Yes, we belong anywhere we choose and want to be. Say it loud and proud sista! Much love, Niko
Aww, thanks, buddy; that’s awesome! I am so glad you liked it! And, yes, I am definitely not in Kansas anymore =)
Much love back, brother like no other!
Christina xo
Christina! I miss you and your sweet posts. I hope all is well in sunny San Diego and that you pay us a visit in the blogosphere soon!
Erika, my dear, so nice to hear from you! Thanks for your lovely comment, it’s so nice to feel missed =) All is well here, just been making San Diego my home, and it’s taken time. Also just been enjoying living =) Been thinking about hoping back on to SKC but just waiting for inspiration.
‘Til then, been enjoying your posts and the creativity of others. Big hugs, lovely lady, and know that though I may not be writing, I am continuing to enjoy the fruits of my foodie friend’s labors from here 😉
Warmest, lovely, hope all is well with you!
Oh good! Glad to hear it! Enjoying living is important ❤
Hello lovely Christina! I was going to send a message similar to Erika’s, just wanted to make sure that you and Christopher are all right and that life is treating you well! Glad that you have given yourself time to settle into San Diego life. Sending you hugs and love! xx
Hello, Laura, my dear! Sorry for taking so long to write back, I don’t spend all that much time here at SKC these days so just got your message now. Thanks for checking in, lovely; I so appreciate your thoughtfulness. Christopher and I are doing well and hope you are doing well too. Much love and hugs back, Laura, thanks so much again for your loveliness! xx