In the kitchen: Ice cream and apricots

Memorial Day weekend: It’s the unofficial kickoff for all things summer, including food. If our recent profiles of historic Southern California ice cream maker Fosselman’s, and the new-ish import from Portland, Salt & Straw, have you craving a cone or bowl of the frozen dessert, you’re in luck. We’ve updated our guide to Los Angeles-area ice cream shops and gelaterias, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our all-time favorite recipes.

We’ve also been thinking about the apricots showing up in farmers markets. If you can manage to bring some home before eating them all, we have some recipes sure to showcase the best the fruit has to offer.

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Did you give the grill its first workout of the season last weekend? If you love to cook outdoors, there’s no reason to limit your grilling magic to the main course or a vegetable side. Consider dessert with our grilled poundcake recipe. We also share tips for how to make the perfect whipped cream. Finally, if you’re tired of the same old coleslaw, we have a curried slaw recipe you’ll want to keep handy for your next barbecue or potluck.

— Noelle Carter

Ice cream, sorbet and gelato recipes galore

Here in Los Angeles, we have no shortage of great ice cream shops and gelaterias. Still, sometimes it’s fun to make the treat at home, and homemade ice cream can be a fun project to undertake with the kids. We’ve rounded up 27 of our favorite recipes, from classic flavors to varieties that make use of all the great summer fruit in season. Best of all? We include a number of simple recipes — no special equipment required.

Apricots are in season. We have recipes

Blenheim, Harcot, Golden Sweet and more – it’s apricot season, and there is a variety of beautiful fruit to be had at the markets right now. We’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes, from jam to galettes, salad and clafoutis. We even include a couple of recipes for roasted apricots.

Apricot almond galette

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times )

Try this grilled poundcake recipe

If you’re looking for a recipe to provide plenty of entertainment when you’re hosting guests, consider throwing dessert on the grill. For this poundcake recipe, grill thick slices just until the sugars in the cake begin to caramelize as the pieces toast, then top with grilled summer fruit and a scoop of ice cream.

Grilled poundcake with peaches and whiskey caramel sauce

(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times )

How to make the perfect whipped cream

Try homemade whipped cream once, and you might never buy store-bought again. And the process is incredibly simple: beat cold cream, sugar and vanilla together just until soft peaks form. Check out our handy tips, including using a food processor. We also share a recipe for rum-walnut chocolate chip pie.

Rum-walnut chocolate chip pie

(Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times )

You’ll love this curried slaw recipe

Think classic summer sides, and coleslaw is right up there at the top of the list. Problem is, it can get to be bland and boring in a hurry. Spice things up with this curried slaw recipe. It uses a simple curry vinaigrette, the slaw garnished at the end with fresh cilantro and green onion.

Mustards Grill’s curried slaw

(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times )

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