Irish Creme de Menthe Parfait

The Irish Cook can also be found at The Petit Chef and Pinterest.

                  Abbey Hotel, Galway Rd., Roscommon


We had this delicious dessert at the restaurant in The Abbey Hotel on Galway Road in Roscommon, County Roscommon. It was not on the menu, but the chef cordially indulged our whim for an afternoon snack. Roscommon is a county of fertile land and beautiful lakes and bogs. Lough Key in north Roscommon is noted for having thirty-two islands. The museum at Strokestown Park House gives a unique insight into the effects of the Great Irish Famine. County Roscommon is twinned with Tuscon, Arizona.

There are many great vanilla ice cream recipes online so I will not include them here.  Alton Brown of the Food Network and Gourmet magazine provide some great and easy recipes.  Otherwise, I like Stewart's hand-packed vanilla, Ben & Jerry's, and I really like Friendly's vanilla.  I never make one of these sundaes without thinking of the beautiful manor house in Roscommon and the beauty of the gardens there.  It is a wonderful place to stay on any visit to Ireland especially in the summer months so one can enjoy the beautiful lakes and scenery.

 Erin and Eli and our Irish friends 1985

 Teri Mooney, Gráinne O'Mahoney, Clare Mooney, and Carla Mooney

Irish Creme de Menthe Parfait [Makes 4]

Ingredients:

8 chocolate mint cookies like the Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookie

8 large scoops of vanilla ice cream

5 shots of creme de menthe 

1 cup of heavy cream

¼ cup of sugar

1 T. of good quality vanilla

1 cup of chopped hazelnuts

4 chocolate mint bon bons or chocolate mint candies

4 mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

Add the cream to a small mixing bowl, and whip quickly with a wire whisk until the cream is slightly thickened.  Add the sugar, vanilla, and one shot of creme de menthe.  Continue to whip until cream just forms soft peaks.  Or you can use an electric mixer for ease.

Assembly:

In an ice cream dish similar to what would be used for a banana split, place two cookies on the bottom.  Place a scoop of ice cream on each.  Drizzle 1 shot of creme de menthe, and place a generous amount of whipped cream on each scoop of ice cream.  Top with ¼ of the chopped hazelnuts. On each scoop place a chocolate bon bon or chocolate mint candy.  Add a mint leaf for garnish.  When you finish this divine dessert, you will want to take a long, cozy nap at the Manor House Castle Hotel.  I know I always do.