Festival of Helados (Ice Cream) at Rosa Mexicano

The history of ice cream is difficult to document.  As early as 4,000 BC, ice or snow was flavored with fruit syrups or sweetened milk and served as a treat.

Ice cream as we know it today (cream, sugar ands flavorings) dates back to the mid-1600s Since then, literally thousands of variations, flavorings, toppings and ways to serve it have been added to suit local tastes and ingredients as it spread around the globe. 

It might be called sorbet, frozen custard, Italian ice, frozen yogurt, or gelato.  In Mexico and Latin America it’s called helados.

Join Executive Chef James Muir of Washington, DC’s restaurant Rosa Mexicano for lunch and an ice making demonstration as he shares the scoop on Mexican-style ice cream.  He’ll show how to make several flavors at home that are spins on the classic helados push cart flavors found on the streets of most Mexican cities.

Lunch includes Guacamole en molcajete as the starter, Gazpacho with poblano sorbet for the adults and Flautas for the children, and family-style cheese and chicken quesadillas.

Guests will learn how to create and then sample favorites such as:

• Camino Rocoso, a twist on Rocky Road made with white coffee ice cream, chocolate chips, chocolate marshmallows and toasted almonds. 
• Alaska Horneado – Baked Alaska with coconut & candied lime zest ice cream with toasted coconut and agave nectar crust.
• Tuna y Arándano Azul – a prickly pear and blueberry ice cream.

Festival de Helados
Rosa Mexicano Penn Quarter
575 7th Street at F Street NW – across from the Verizon Center
Washington, DC  (map it)

Dates & Times - Saturday, July 11, 2009, Cooking demo – 10:00 a.m.  Lunch – 11:30 a.m.

Tickets – Reservations Required – $35.00, includes tax and tip.  Free for each adult who bring one child under 15 years of age.  Reservations available by calling Stephanie at 202-654-7010.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Gallery Place – Chinatown – Green, Yellow and Red lines, then a 1-block walk, or use the DC Circulator bus.

Parking – Limited metered street parking and area paid garage parking is available.

Images – Flickr – super cart, Guacamole de Postre ice cream – courtesy of Rosa Mexicano

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