By: Briana Salim
Do you remember the good old days where you would put on your puppy-dog eyes and helplessly beg your parents for a scoop of ice cream after dinner? For my poor parents, this practically became a weekly routine. While bracing themselves for the guaranteed sugar rush that came after, my mom and dad hesitantly walked me to the ice cream counter and watched me shamelessly try a minimum of 5 flavors. To no one’s surprise, cookies and cream always came out the winner. Leaving the ice cream shop with the biggest grin and happiest heart, my young self thought, “Ah… this is what it must feel like to win the lottery”.
Like every great love story, mine ended in tragedy. Somewhere between then and now, my stomach went against my heart and decided for itself that it no longer would tolerate any dairy products. Life without ice cream? That’s one I don’t want to live. Seeing that you clicked on this article, I’m sure you feel the same.
Whether you’re in the same boat, or you are blessed with a stomach of steel and are just looking for fun ways to make your own ice cream, I come bearing good news. Enter, “Nice Cream” -- just as satisfying as ice cream, minus the terrible toilet trip aftermath. Nice Cream is a popular dairy-free alternative to ice cream, traditionally made of blended frozen bananas. Besides it being a healthier, fruit-based alternative, its popularity also stems from its beginner-friendly process. Unlike traditional ice cream, all it requires is a strong food processor and your creativity!
Here I share some of my favorite nice-cream flavors - some are made with the traditional frozen banana base, and some are frozen yogurt recipes inspired by the process!
1. “Banana Butter”
Blend 1 frozen banana and a scoop of your favorite nut butter
Stir in some chocolate chips
Set in the freezer for 30 mins - 1 hour, and it’s ready to serve!
2. Mango Honey Frozen Yogurt
Blend a cup of frozen mangoes, a drizzle of honey and ½ cup of almond yogurt (I used the vanilla bean flavor)
Set in the freezer for 30 mins - 1 hour, and it’s ready to serve!
3. Berry Frozen Yogurt
Blend a cup of frozen mixed berries with ½ cup of cashew yogurt (I used the vanilla bean flavor)
Set in the freezer for 30 mins - 1 hour, and it’s ready to serve!
4. Banana Coffee
Blend 1 frozen banana with ¼ cup of your favorite coffee! (I used the La Colombe Triple Shot Draft Latte)
Optional: Add a bit of honey for more sweetness
Set in the freezer for 30 mins - 1 hour, and it’s ready to serve!