Tuck In: ‘Magic’ Cream-free Ice Cream
There are many words I could use to describe this ice cream recipe – vegan, raw, sugar-free, simple, healthy, delicious, or even dirt cheap – but more than anything else, this recipe is simply magic. Why? Because all you need is one ingredient – bananas.
When frozen and blended, bananas transform into a creamy consistency almost identical to soft serve ice cream, and when the weather is hot, there’s nothing better than a guilt-free treat to take the edge off. For a lactose-intolerant person like myself, this is the perfect solution in Poland where the concept of lactose intolerance has yet to reach the confused ladies at the apteka.
While the bananas are perfect on their own, they are also an ideal base for extra flavours and toppings, so don’t be afraid to experiment by adding other fruit, cocoa, vanilla, nuts, or even peanut butter. This particular recipe is great in the summer when berries are at their peak. Choose your favourite and adjust the sugar level to perfectly balance the tart and sweet notes and get a delicious sauce you’ll reach for again and again.
Ingredients:
(Serves 1 life-loving glutton or 2 reasonable appetites)
4 ripe bananas
approx. 1 cup raspberries
3tbsp sugar
2tbsp water
1 tsp lemon juice
1.5 tsp potato flour (or any other thickening agent such as corn starch or flour)
Method:
Slice the peeled bananas into 1-1.5cm pieces and freeze for at least three hours. It’s very important your bananas be ripe – under-ripe bananas will result in a very bland ice cream with zero sweetness.
In the meantime, prepare the raspberries for the sauce with a gentle rinse. If you prefer your sauce smooth and without seeds, push the berries through a fine strain and into a small pot. Or go rustic and simply throw the raspberries into the pot whole and crush with a fork. Add the remainder of the ingredients and heat until it simmers. Let the sauce cool, and you’re ready to go.
Once the bananas have frozen, throw the slices into a food processor or blender and blitz until creamy. You might need to throw in a few tablespoons of water to get the blender going. Spoon into a bowl, drizzle that sauce, and top with chocolate, nuts, or whatever your heart desires. Don’t hold back – this is magic after all!