Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Blueberry coconut ice cream (and some firemen)

After the ANZAC day public holiday last Thursday, I've been thinking that it would be really nice if a public holiday could be repeated tomorrow. Or every Thursday, I'd take that too.

As it is, I'm a wee bit overwhelmed. I seem to have a panic-inducing amount of work. I have spent a panic-inducing amount of money on orthotics (more on that another time). My workplace had a (minor) fire this afternoon, interfering with my ability to deal with all that panic-inducing work.


On the plus side, I value my work, the orthotics should help my running, and the fire was minor. I got to watch firemen do their stuff. I made blueberry coconut ice cream this week. It could be worse.




As you may have guessed, this ice cream is where my remaining coconut cream got to. It is really easy. You don't need an ice cream maker (although you do need a food processor or high-speed blender). The berries can be changed to taste - in fact, it all can be changed to taste - and it actually tastes like commercial coconut ice cream. True.


Want some of your own? Here is how to go about it.

I made a half batch given I was using half of a coconut milk can, but I have doubled the quantities below so you can make enough to share (or just have more to yourself!).

Easy blueberry coconut ice cream
Vegan
Makes enough for 3 to 4, depending on how you're feeling
Food processor required


Ingredients
1 375g can full-cream coconut milk, chilled in the fridge for at least 24 hours
4 tbsp agave nectar
Seeds from 1 vanilla pod, or 1 tsp good-quality vanilla
2 - 2 1/2 cups frozen blueberries (2 cups will give an even creamier result; I used 2 1/2)

Method
Remove your chilled can of coconut milk from the fridge, flip it upside down, and remove the top. Pour out the liquid and then spoon the solid mass into a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer, on high speed, for 2 to 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Add the agave nectar and vanilla to the coconut cream mix, and beat briefly to combine. Transfer to a food processor and add the blueberries. Process until the blueberries are fully processed and the mixture is just starting to clump together - no more than 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a freezer-proof dish (silicon baking dishes are recommended) and set for several hours or overnight.


Surprisingly vibrant purple...

After this process, you have a choice. You can scoop the ice cream out of your container and serve straight up, in which case you'll have something that looks like the bowl below.


If you want silky smooth ice cream, return the frozen mixture to your food processor briefly before serving, to give a result that is a bit closer to commercial products than the straight-from-the-freezer version.


The nicest thing? Whichever way you do it, it tastes great.


 What flavour would you make if you tweaked this to your tastes?

And have you got any good fire drill / fire escapade stories? My best is from high school where I spotted a fire from the swimming pool during a sport lesson. It was a major fire and my classmates and I spent the rest of the day at the neighbouring boys' school in our bathers and towels!!

Submitted to Ricki's Wellness Weekend May 2nd to 6th 2013 , Raw Foods Thursdays 5th May 2013, and 5-ingredient Monday 6th May 2013.

36 comments:

  1. I am on a total ice cream kick right now. I found some red velvet cake ice cream on Saturday that is to die for. I would seriously run 20 miles everyday just to be able to eat a pint whenever I want. It was yummy!

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    1. Red velvet cake ice cream really does sound amazing. And I think you've found your sports psychologist - post-run ice cream ;)

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  2. We had a fire drill after someone burnt their toast at my former work place - can't stand being turfed out of my workplace and standing around - used to just take my bag and go home during fire drills.

    the ice cream sounds delicious - did I ask you about the liquid with your coconut cream and what you did with the stuff you drained off the top (I am not checking because my internet is on go-slow). Good luck with the work and orthotics

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    1. I should have done that (gone home) but I was nearly finished something and I didn't take my USB! I regretted that when standing around!

      I don't think you did ask about the liquid, but you can reserve it and use it as you would low-fat milk, in smoothies or baking :)

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  3. Yep, I'm up for every Thursday being a holiday as well. I think a lot of people would quite like that idea.
    (Now your orthotics, I'm curious, so I hope you do a post on them. )

    In the mean time dear Kari, don't forget to breathe :-)
    xxx

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    1. I'm repeating your breathing mantra quite regularly :) It helps!

      Orthotics will be coming up I suspect - having invested a small fortune in them I think they should get lots of coverage!

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  4. The ice-cream looks really good and what a bonus that it doesn't need an ice-cream maker! I would love to have a go a making ice-cream for my fellows one day.

    I used to work on the 29th floor of a building and had to walk down that many flights of stairs during fire drills and an evacuation. It used to take so much time to get everyone out of the building and even longer to get everyone back up again so our boss always let us go home.

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    1. If you're keen to try ice cream, this method with coconut cream is a low-intensity way to start :-)

      Fire drills would take on a whole new meaning when you have 29 floors to cover. Going home definitely sounds like a good option, which must have meant that fire drills were very fun indeed!

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  5. Looks super yummy! Will try. Glad to hear that everything worked out at work. Just remember that there are some things that you just can't control. ;)

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    1. Very true :) Remembering that is always wise!

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  6. Ha! How funny. During my hellish period at work last year (working 17 days straight, something like 70 hours in one week, yadda yadda) we had two fire alarms/evacuations in one week.

    BREATHE. Life is still amazing. You'll get through all of this. xoxo

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    1. Isn't that typical? Life just likes to throw everything at you sometimes. And yes, it is still amazing in spite of it :)

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  7. Oh...sorry about the fire incident at your work place and the panic-inducing work load. But at least, no one got hurt from the fire. I'm sure this scrumptious blueberry coconut ice cream helped a little right? It will definitely helps me chill if I have a bowl right now. :P

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    1. You're very right Amy - it helped a lot!

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  8. Mmmm blueberry and coconut is a wonderful combination!

    Sorry to hear about your panic-filled life right now. Just keep finding the silver lining, it will pass soon enough :)

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  9. oh my gosh, i'm sorry about your crazy day! i'll say i'm so glad u're okay! i guess the week can really only get better??
    that said, i'm pumped the orthotics are helping. :)

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    1. It is looking better from here on out because tomorrow is Friday :D

      I haven't actually got the orthotics yet but I have high hopes!

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  10. I would take a bowl of this ice cream in place of a day off. Sounds so delicious! Hope the rest of your week is painless!

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    1. Thanks Joanne - and yes, this does go a long way in making up for busy days!

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  11. this sounds dleicious and an healthier option! can i hv the tub pls?

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  12. YUM!!! Sounds (and looks) amazing.... will definitely have to give this a try..... hope the stress eases a bit for you.... orthotics ARE life changing things though :)

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    1. Thank you Lou - and nice to hear from you!

      I hope the orthotics are life changing...I have had them before and have had more luck the last few years with well fitted running shoes, but these orthotics are being super duper crafted to my feet so I have high hopes!

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  13. Oh doesn't this sound delicious! I love love love blueberries in whatever dress they're wearing.

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    1. Me too Maureen :) They are such a great fruit.

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  14. Sorry to hear you've been having a rough time - but on the plus side, this icecream sounds delicious, and it's a bonus to not need an icecream maker.

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    1. Thanks so much :) In fairness, not so much rough as just busy, and this icecream definitely helped!

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  15. Mmmm blueberries! One of my favourites! This would be a great addition to 5-Ingredient Mondays (http://siftstirandsavour.com/2013/05/05/5-ingredient-mondays-sugar-free-cherry-citrus-popsicles-vegan-gluten-free/), if you're interested :)

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    1. Thanks so much Erin, including for introducing me to your 5 ingredient Mondays! 5 ingredients are about my limit some days so I love your link up.

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  16. All I can think about is ice cream with summer coming and fresh fruit abounding! Can't wait for those fresh blueberries!!! Thanks so much for sharing this at Raw Foods Thursdays. Pinning this on our RFT board!

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    1. I'm so glad you liked it Heather - and yes, so perfect for heading in to summer!

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  17. Oh my goodness. Dissertating has kept me away from my favorite blog the past couple weeks, and I'm so glad I scrolled down to see what I missed. This sounds AMAZING! Must make, must make!

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    1. I'm glad you like the look of it Raechel! I think it would make a perfect post-PhD celebratory snack :)

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