Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

When this recipe came across my radar screen (thanks, food.com), I knew we would be trying it. As it turns out, I can make a batch of this frozen treat and it's gone the same night. In our defence, the recipe does say it serves 1 - 2 snacky folks, but we have always doubled this recipe and been left wishing we had more.

Try it and let us know what you think! Feedback is good.

Homemade Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

                 

1/2 cup frozen cherries

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 tablespoon honey                      

1 tablespoon cocoa or 1 tablespoon carob powder

1 dash sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 banana, frozen and cut     

 

 

Peel and chop the banana, then freeze solid.

 

Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor until combined into a smooth consistency, similar to soft-serve ice cream.

 

Either enjoy right away or allow to set in freezer until firm. You won't believe it until you've tried it for yourself.

                                          

Do You Happen To Like Chocolate?

I have the best recipe for a quick, at home chocolate craving solution!

I was in the kitchen last night, wondering how I was going to use up the bananas that were going bad fast enough. Banana smoothies and banana ice cream make really satisfying treats, but I was in the mood for something a little more.....naughty.

I wanted chocolate!

OK, so it may not have been that dramatic, but you get where I'm going. I zipped to the cupboard, threw a pot on the stove and whipped up the best tasting, best for you type-o-chocolate I could muster.....

........and then I ate it all. Oh....my....

Here's how it all went down.....

This isn't a recipe I have ever actually measured. It requires certain elements for success. The perfect temperature, the right mix of ingredients and the right taste tester.

I start with about 3 tablespoons of coconut oil. I keep the temperature on my stove between medium and low, but closer to medium. If you see the chocolate getting grainy or thick, it is too hot. I add 2 tablespoons of honey. You can adjust this to your own preferences. I then add about 3 tablespoons of raw powdered cacao.

Keep stirring, breaking up any lumpy bits. You want to see this the consistency of semi-thick, warm chocolate so use your discretion. it really is about finding what works for you.

Once the chocolate cools slightly, take a piece of wax paper and pour the chocolate on to it. Be sure to taste your concoction before you pour it all out onto the paper. Several times I've been so excited to have it that I forget to add enough honey. You can also add an extract of some sort. If you like orange chocolate, add some orange! Lemon, mint, peppermint - add whatever your heart desires!

Want to know what I added??

I added Goji berries!

Ohhhh these little heavenly wonders - they are so yummy to eat and so good for me!

I sprinkle them in to the chocolate while it is still warm. Sometimes I press them into the chocolate and sometimes I don't. I'm a rebel that way.

I add everything I want to my snack and then on to a plate and into the freezer it goes!

Less than an hour later we had rock hard chocolate!

Note: This chocolate, as I mentioned, is softer than store bought chocolate bars. It will stay solid but if the temperature rises (don't hold it in your hand too long) you are going to get messy. I love how the Goji berries get like rice crisps. It adds a little crunch I adore! Add your favorite nuts (chopped) or raisins.

Doesn't this photo look messy? It is!

We also take warm chocolate and drizzle it over banana slices and frozen blueberries.

The warm chocolate meets the cold berries and forms a chocolate crust *cue heavenly music here.*

The plate of goodies shown (left) is more than enough for us as a nice snack. We also find the healthier we eat, the less (real) food we need to fill us up versus Standard American Diet food.

So the next time you feel like snacking on something chocolatey, choose this! You can drizzle it on just about anything - including yourself! ;)