Coconut Milk Ice Cream - Phase 3

This concept isn't new, but it is a good one. Especially since Summer is coming and at least for me, ice cream is a must on hot days. Ice cream is my favorite food group and making an easy one that is compliant? That is a no-brainer in  my book. 

I have done some experimenting. I have found that fruit is great in this but I think I like it better when the fruit is not pureed with the mix. The water in the fruit tends to crystallize when frozen. I like it best when the pureed fruit is swirled into the ice cream mixture.  

You don't need an ice cream maker to do this but if you have one, it is worth it. The churning helps to get air into the ice cream, making it super creamy. If you do not have one, just pour the mixture into a container and freeze. 

Pro Tip: If you don't want to open a second can of coconut milk, you can use a ripe avocado for the extra coconut cream!


Basic Vanilla Ice Cream Mix

2 cups coconut milk- full fat from a can
1/2 cup coconut cream (just the creamy part of a second can) OR 1 very ripe avocado
2-3 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup xylitol- or to taste (use more or less for your taste buds)

Blend everything in a blender and blend until very, very smooth. Taste the mix and add more flavor or sweetener, as you want. Blend again. 
Pour into a container. Freeze several hours until firm. This will freeze very hard- you will have to let it sit at room temp to thaw a bit before serving. 

Makes 4 standard servings of healthy fat for FMD, phase 3.


Chocolate Ice Cream
Add 2-3 T cocoa to Basic Vanilla Ice Cream Mix. Blend, taste and add more sweetener or cocoa, if you like. 

Chocolate Almond Ice Cream
Add 1/2 tsp almond extract to the Chocolate Ice Cream mix. Pour into container and stir in 1/2 cup chopped raw almonds. Freeze. 
**note** this changed the servings to 6 standard. 

Coconut Peach
Make the Basic Vanilla Mix and pour into a container. Stir in 1 cup chopped peaches. Freeze. 
**note** Fruit makes this for breakfast or lunch as there are no fruits for snacks. You will need to add more fruit since this will have 1/4 serving.

Cherry Vanilla
Blend up the Basic Vanilla Mix. Add 1 cup cherries, pulse in the blender 2-3 times to chop up the cherries. Pour into bowl and freeze.
**note** Fruit makes this for breakfast or lunch as there are no fruits for snacks. You will need to add more fruit since this will have 1/4 serving.

Coconut Lime
Blend the Basic Vanilla Mix, and add zest of 1 or 2 limes. Pour into bowl and stir in 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes. Freeze. 
**note** this changed the servings to 6 standard.

Raspberry Swirl
Blend up the Basic Vanilla Mix. Separately puree 1 cup raspberry (add sweetener if needed). Pour one quarter of the ice cream mix into a bowl, then add a quarter of the raspberry puree. Alternate the mix with the puree. Swirl with a knife. Freeze. 
**note** Fruit makes this for breakfast or lunch as there are no fruits for snacks. You will need to add more fruit since this will have 1/4 serving.