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New Basilica ice cream a taste of heaven |
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By Julie Carroll
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Monday, 31 August 2009 |
 What do you get when you mix honey, ginger, streusel, vanilla seeds, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, bake it to a crisp, and blend it with vanilla ice cream?
You get Immaculate Confection, a new Sebastian Joe’s ice cream flavor dedicated to the Basilica of St. Mary.
The Basilica staff came up with the idea to create an ice cream flavor
in honor of the Minneapolis monument’s centennial celebration last
year, according to Johan van Parys, director of liturgy and sacred arts
at the Basilica.
After discussing the idea with parishioner Michael Pellizzer, one of
the owners of Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Cafe in Minneapolis, van Parys
sent an e-mail to staff members asking for flavor suggestions.
“The wildest ideas came up,” van Parys said.
One person suggested a flavor called Basilica Windows — vanilla ice
cream with swirls of strawberry and blueberry syrup, chocolate chips,
orange and lemon peel.
Another idea was Basilica Blend, a diverse mix of German chocolate,
Irish whiskey, Italian almonds, Mexican cinnamon and African coffee.
Sebastian Joe’s made several samples based on the Basilica employees’ suggestions. Then they took a vote.
The winning recipe came from acolyte Maureen Bourgeois.
Mark Wyss, coordinator of liturgy and sacred arts, came up with the
name, a play on the Basilica’s former name, Immaculate Conception.
Pellizzer said Immaculate Confection has developed quite a following.
“It’s one of those gimmick flavors,” he said. “The name kind of creates
a little bit of controversy. People see it and they laugh. Some people
get it and some people don’t. . . . But it has a real nice, mellow
flavor.”
Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream Cafe has two Minneapolis locations: 1007
W. Franklin Ave., (612) 870-0065, and 4321 Upton Ave. S., (612)
926-7916. Because Immaculate Confection is not always available, it is
advised to call ahead.
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