Frozen Dessert

It's hard to believe that a Michelin-starred establishment would serve a dessert that's this simple, but good cooking is about knowing when to leave well enough alone. Steve prefers Irish whiskey for the ice-cream, but you can use Scotch.

You can decorate all the cones the same way or do each one differently. If time is short, simply use purchased ice cream.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

A classic flavor combination-chocolate and cherries-turns everyday vanilla ice cream into a special dessert. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Homemade malted vanilla-bean ice cream is layered with a bittersweet chocolate sauce and drunken dried cherries.

This is a refreshing and fast adults-only dessert for any summer meal. Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 15 min

(SPUMONE AL CIOCCOLATO E MANDORLE) Here's an elegant dessert of Neapolitan origin that manages to be rich and light at the same time. Its airy texture is reflected in its name, which comes from the Italian word for foam, spuma.

This cool Italian dessert is the perfect conclusion to a pasta dinner.

Star anise's licorice-like flavor is what sets this ice cream apart. Our version is adapted from the one served at Geordy's restaurant in San Francisco, where the custard is made with all cream, no milk.

Giving a nod to tropical fruit, this irresistible treat combines rich ice cream with a nut crust and thick fudge sauce.

The cactus pears (also known as prickly pears or cactus fruits) grown in the United States usually have mottled green-and-red skin and beautiful magenta-colored flesh. (The Mexican varieties tend to be smaller, and skin and flesh can be red or green.)

The twist here is that the praline is made with oats rather than nuts.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

To serve as a drink, freeze until just slushy but not solid. Look for Angostura bitters in the liquor section of the supermarket.