Banana & Almond Butter Ice Cream
Silky smooth, healthy and delicious−is this ice cream we are talking about? Yes, you heard right, this banana ice cream is healthy, and literally takes five minutes to make once the bananas have been frozen. There are only two ingredients to boot. I used to crave a spoonful of something sweet on an evening watching TV, like ice cream. So a while ago, I was messing around with overripe bananas and freezing them for smoothies the next day. I thought, “Hey, can I make ice cream using them?” I found when mixed with almond butter or peanut butter you have this smooth almost “Ben & Jerry” deliciousness that the whole family will love. It’s not loaded with processed sugar or whipped full of air.
The health benefits of eating a banana a day include helping with weight loss, reducing obesity, curing intestinal disorders, and relieving constipation. Research suggests bananas help with conditions like dysentery, anemia, tuberculosis, arthritis, gout, kidney disorders, urinary disorders, menstrual problems, and burns. Bananas have also been found to help reduce blood pressure, protect against heart disease, improve the immune system, reduce the severity of ulcers, ensure healthy eyes, and build strong bones.
Raw almonds are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and antioxidants. The American Heart Association recommends consuming four servings of nuts per week for the best health benefits. A small handful can help you avoid an afternoon energy crash. A few quick tips are to replace croutons and full-fat cheese in your salad with a handful of raw almonds. Make your own almond milk by adding them to your daily smoothies.
Almonds and bananas are on my top ten of foods to eat every day. I hope you add them to yours.
Banana & Almond Butter Ice Cream
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients:
3 large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into even size rounds
1 cup smooth almond butter or peanut butter (optional, if you have a nut allergy just leave them out, you will still get a lovely ice cream just from the bananas themselves)
How to make:
Place the sliced bananas into a large zip lock bag, remove as much air out of the bag as possible and zip closed.
Place the bag into the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Remove the bag from the freezer and tip the frozen banana into a food processor. Blend until smooth, scrapping down every 30 seconds, until the banana looks like soft serve ice cream, this might take 3 to 4 minutes to happen.
If you’re not adding the almond butter, then transfer the banana ice cream into a fresh zip lock bag and place into the freezer until it sets like normal ice cream, then use when desired.
If you’re adding the almond butter, add as soon as the banana looks like soft serve ice cream and blend until silky smooth or fold in to make a swirl effect, then pop into a zip lock bag and freeze until needed. Enjoy this true delight!!!!