Bananas are the base for this frozen treat
It has been one hot summer. The heat is pressing on in most regions of the country, so a cool treat is right on time. My goal, in each column, is to bring fun, nutritious ideas to the table, and this one also delivers a nice way to cool down.
This concept for creating a very nourishing, healthy ice cream is one I have written about before. Perhaps you have seen my recipes for cherry nice cream, or tutti-frutti nice cream.
If you are not yet familiar with the term “nice” cream, it is the frozen treat made like ice cream, rich and creamy, but developed by using frozen bananas as the base of the “cream.”
It’s amazing that whipped frozen bananas actually taste like cream and sugar and have a creamy texture.
When I have bananas ripening in the fruit basket, I simply peel them, cut them into pieces and place them in a freezer bag to use in smoothies and “nice” cream when I’m ready. I do add milk as my liquid in the recipe, but I leave dairy completely out of the process for this treat, using plant-based milk instead.
Tip: A heavy-duty blender such as a smoothie bullet-type blender will work with small frozen chunks of banana, and a food processor will work, as well.
Banana bread ‘nice’ cream
Makes 4 servings
4 ripened bananas that have been frozen in small pieces
2⁄ cup plant-based milk such as
3 almond, oat or soy
1⁄ cup chopped walnuts, divided
3
1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder, or vanilla extract
1⁄ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2
Place frozen banana chunks, milk, half of the walnuts, vanilla and cinnamon into a heavy-duty blender. Pulse on high until ingredients begin to combine. Then run on full speed until completely blended and smooth. Remove from blender and stir in the remaining walnuts.
Serve immediately as soft-serve ice cream. Or freeze in an airtight container for a minimum of 1 hour to serve in scoops.
Vitamix and Blendertec are good options. Ninja is another type that is good for this mixture, and it now has a product specifically designed for making ice cream, particularly from fruit. However, an ice cream maker is not required to make this recipe. Stay cool out there!