Affogato

after dinner affogato...

My dad is a simple food person and since this series of recipes is for him, I'm making a very simple dessert - an affogato. It's an Italian dessert of ice cream or gelato served with a shot of expresso poured over top. That's it! Affogato means "drowned" in Italian, so in essence we are drowning ice cream or gelato in expresso. Besides coffee, ice cream is definitely one of my dad's weaknesses (me too!).

This dessert isn't really even a recipe because it's so simple. It's perfect for a crowd because you can top it as each person likes (or let them do it). Among the optional toppings and add-ins my favorite are shaved dark chocolate, toasted slivered almonds, whipped cream, and a shot of Godiva Liquor. But, make it any way you like it (or how your dad likes it). Here's how...

Ingredients - Makes 1 Dessert
2 Scoops Ice Cream or Gelato (suggest vanilla, chocolate, or coffee)
1 Shot Expresso (or 3T strong brewed coffee)
Optional Toppings & Add-ins: Shaved Dark Chocolate, Toasted Hazelnuts/Slivered Almonds, Whipped Cream, 1 Shot Frangelico/Grand Marnier/Godiva Liquor, and/or Biscotti

Directions
Make the expresso or strong brewed coffee.

Put 2 scoops of ice cream or gelato in a serving dish. Top with the shot of expresso and any other optional toppings or add-ins desired. Enjoy this simple dessert on a warm summer evening.