Arkansas and National Milk Day

I love this country. That does not mean I love the politics, the negative aspect or ugly parts of our history. Countries, like people, are far from perfect. Mistakes are made, and we need to learn from that not hide it away.

Slavery, bad idea. Treatment of Native Peoples, not the best. Equal rights for all still a work in progress. But that doesn’t mean we should sweep the good things about America under the rug along with our dirty laundry. If you give your child three tasks or three goals, and they excel in one, are okay in another while failing miserable in the third, you don’t throw the child out and start all over again. So why should a country, made up of people, be any different? That’s my rant for today.

Today is all about Arkansas and National Milk Day. We’ll get to the milk in a minute, but for now I want to celebrate Arkansas. Believe me, there’s a lot to celebrate. One of the most distinguished things about Arkansas is its unparalleled natural beauty. Known for its mountains, lakes, rivers and waterfalls, Arkansas is fittingly nicknamed “The Natural State”.

And did you know that every couple of years, a meteorite of at least two-pounds falls somewhere in Arkansas? On February 17, 1930, the second largest witnessed meteorite fall ever recovered in North America hit the ground just a few miles south of Paragould, Arkansas. It broke into pieces as it entered the atmosphere. The largest piece created an 8-foot hole. The Paragould Meteorite is 41-inches by 24-inches by 16-inches and tips the scale at a whopping 820 pounds. Guess we can all be glad it broke apart before striking earth.

Arkansas is home to the longest in-serving submarine in the world, the USS Razorback. Visitors are invited to experience a full range of sensory sensations of what it’s like to be in a submarine. Everything from the climb down inside to authentic sights, sounds and smells of submarine life. The USS Razorback can even be had for birthday parties and other special events. Yeah, I’d ask for air freshener first.

With its distinctive style, Arkansas is one of three famous “barbecue regions”, the other two are Texas and Kansas. The Arkansas style of barbecue evolved from combining techniques used by immigrants from Tennessee and Virginia. In the south, Barbecue isn’t just a cooking technique, it’s a social even. And no self-respecting southern politician would miss the opportunity to woo voters at a barbecue.

You can’t say that Arkansas isn’t diverse in its native sons. After all, Johnny Cash and Bill Clinton both hail from Arkansas.

---

Today is also National Milk Day. I ask you, what goes better with down home barbecue than good old fashion Ice Cream?

French Vanilla Ice Cream
6 large Egg Yolks
2 cups Heavy Cream
1 cup whole Milk
2/3 cup Sugar
Pinch Sea Salt
2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract

Separate egg whites from yolks. Reserve whites for another purpose or discard. Set yolks in a bowl, whisk and set aside until ready to use.

In a small pot, simmer cream, milk, sugar and salt until the sugar ahs completely dissolved, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat.

Whisking constantly, slowly add about a third of the hot cream mixture into the yolks to temper the eggs, then whisk the tempered yolk mixture back into the pot of cream.

Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without scrambling eggs. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cool to room temperature.

Cover base and chill at least six hours or overnight. Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturers’ instructions.

Serve directly from the machine for the true soft-serve (the best!) or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze hard.

---

Redeem us, Lord, because of Your mercy.