WATCH: Family Mart Kitchen – “Big Butter Ice Cream Jamboree”

Our photo theme this week: It Came from the Convenience Store. Various and sundry “only-in-China” goods that can be found at any corner xiaomaibu.

I almost can’t believe I’m sharing this recipe with you guys.

Our last entry for this week’s photo theme isn’t a photo at all — it’s a video breakdown of one of my secret late-night snack concoctions, using just two ingredients from your local Family Mart. This is real high level stuff guys, so if you don’t nail it right off the bat, don’t give up. Go grab yourself:

• 1 big ol’ slice of butter and jam bread — 6.5 RMB / 1 dollar (if you’ve been to Family Mart, you’ve almost definitely walked right past this)
• 1 chocolatey chocolate ice cream cone — 4.5 RMB / 70 cents

The next step is just to follow the video. There’s not much more I can tell you, this kinda stuff’s all about the feeling. Microwave the bread to warm it up, then toast it on the pan. Mash the ice cream up with a spoon. If you’re a real pro, at this point you will microwave and quickly toast it a second time, to ensure that the bread is at maximum hotness when it comes into contact with the cold, mangled ice cream. Look at that money shot at 1:24, hot steam wafting off that buttery mystery bread.

That’s pretty much it. You didn’t think of that one did you? Toasted convenience store bread, with butter, jam, and chocolate ice cream carcass? Don’t let yourself be limited by what you see around you. You could even get two toasts and go for some unholy ice cream sandwich type action.

This is a perfect recipe to keep in your back pocket. It’s great for when someone tells you she “knew you didn’t really know how to cook.” Hit the Family Mart, and get to business. Who’s laughing now?