Harbor Bars

Did you know that they let Hillbillies come across the state line into Maine? I say Hillbilly with much affection, my kin folks take great pride in being one with the hills. We like to think we invented "Green!" We've been environmentally conscious here for generations saving string and paper and foil, using it up~ wearing it out!

Not only did our daughter Stephanie and husband Ken go to Maine, they spent 4 wonderful days driving from tip to tip soaking in all of the beauty and enjoying the coolness of a summer so unlike Texas' heat.

They visited beautiful Arcadia National Park and took these amazing pictures...

 

They visited the many fishing villages all along the coast and sampled lobster rolls...

They tasted Maine's sweet blueberries made into the most delicious pies you can imagine.

But they didn't have the most famous Harbor Bar that Mainer's cherish. They failed to try a bite of the enormous, chocolate-dipped ice cream sandwiches made with soft chocolate chip cookies that are to die for. They're a Maine thing, found in the freezer in nearly any general store up and down the state.

I was thrilled when I came across this recipe this week at Shine on Yahoo 

Mint Chocolate Harbor Bars

Makes 4 gigantic ice cream sandwiches (serves 4 to 8, depending on how willing you are to share)

• 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or organic vegetable shortening
• 1 pint mint or mint chip ice cream (you can use any flavor, your favorite)
• 8 chewy chocolate chip cookies

1. Put the chocolate and the oil or shortening in a deep saucepan that is not too wide (you'll be using this to dip the ice cream sandwiches, so think about that when you choose your pot). Over the lowest heat, melt the chocolate, stirring constantly to incorporate the oil and make sure the chocolate doesn't burn. As soon as it is smooth, remove the chocolate from the heat and set aside, letting it slowly come to room temperature. Ask a question about this step.
2. In the meantime, soften the ice cream for a few minutes outside of the freezer. Sandwich about 1/2 cup of ice cream between two cookies, pressing firmly and smoothing the sides. Repeat with the remaining cookies and then return the sandwiches to the freezer for at least half and hour to harden. Ask a question about this step.
3. When the chocolate is cool and the ice cream sandwiches have hardened, you are ready to dip! Lay a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet that will fit in your freezer. Working with one sandwich at a time (and leaving the rest in the freezer), place the sandwich on a slotted spoon or perforated skimmer and lower gently into the chocolate. Turn the sandwich over so that the entire thing is coated evenly in chocolate, and then lift out with the spoon, letting an excess chocolate dribble through the holes. Transfer to the baking sheet and quickly repeat with the remaining 3 sandwiches. Immediately return the sandwiches to the freezer until the chocolate sets, at least 15 minutes.