Creamy Vegan Ice Cream

This is a Very simple recipe that makes a deliciously creamy ice cream that is super healthy.

There is a secret ingredient to the success of this ice cream that gives it that sublime creaminess: frozen banana!!

All of the ingredients below can be varied according to what you have at hand but the one thing that can not be missed out is the frozen bananas. I buy these when they are extra ripe and sweet and going cheap down at the fruit market. I peel them, bag them, and freeze them ready for those moments of craving for this delicious ice cream.

2 Frozen Bananas

1/2 Fresh Mango

5 soft medjool dates (for sweetening +/- to taste)

100g of mixed raw nuts: I find walnuts seem to make a good base. In this case I used almonds, walnuts, cashews.

25g coconut: save a little of this to sprinkle on top

Vegan ice cream cones or just serve in a bowl.

alternatives:

To be honest any kind of fruit is fine; frozen or fresh. I find around 60/40 frozen to fresh is good. Using 100% frozen is very hard on your blender and any more fresh makes it a little too runny.

blueberries, strawberries, raspberries etc

apricots, peaches, plums etc.

if you don't have dates some kind of syrup like maple or rice can be used to sweeten.

Vanilla is another nice addition.

All kinds of nuts can be used and you will be amazed just how many nuts can go in with out really realising when eaten.

Place all the ingredients in a high powered blender and blend on max until the mixture is flowing and forms into segments as pictured. I put the nuts and fresh fruit on the bottom of the jug and the frozen fruit on the top. This gives the blender a fighting chance as this takes a huge amount of power to blend. It will require the use of the tamper to help with the frozen fruit. As soon as the mixture is flowing stop the blender as you don't want to start melting the ice cream.

The ice cream must be served and consumed straight away. It can either be put in a cone as I have done here and sprinkled with shredded coconut or put straight in a bowl. I have found the putting it in the fridge or freezer doesn't work and the creamy consistency is lost. To be honest why wouldn't you just eat it all straight away any way!!

Good luck and enjoy, I would love to hear of some of the different combinations people try. Just don't forget the secret ingredient you can never miss out (frozen bananas).