One Ingredient Ice-Cream ~ Banana And Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream

I used to have a hate list (regarding foods) .... and it was probably way longer than most of the foodies. Although I have risen above most of my stigmas regarding veggies, but still I don't like Okra, and  probably that is the sole reason that I haven't posted any dish on that till now, whereas there is a very popular Okra Fry with Potatoes in Bengali Cuisine. Even before my marriage I used to hate most of the green veggies, which my mother...after being really grumpy as opposed to my vegetable fugitive nature, used to stuff inside my mouth. Confronted with this I gobbled up everything and chewed as fast as I could and then with a big sip of water swallowed everything. After that almost every time I ended up vomiting everything I ate.

I also did not like jhinge (ridge gourd) or potol (pointed gourd) or plantain or sim (flat bean). But time has made me wiser and now without my mother's pressure I try to include a lot of veggies in my meal. The same thing applies with banana, whose sticky texture was something I could hardly handle. Although they are very nutritious and good for health, most of the time I used to throw them away after spending almost a month in the fridge and turning completely black. And so I have changed my eating habit. These days, I no longer throw them away but make ice creams with them. Yes banana ice creams and trust me....they don't even taste like bananas anymore. Pheewww...what a relief!!

It feels and taste like ice cream but its frozen banana, and packed with a lot of health benefits. Its the easiest and healthiest ice cream recipe that I have ever came across. You can mix any add on of your choice, like I have added chocolate chips and pistachios. Or you can freeze the banana pulp plain and eat with your choice of toppings. Either way, this is a great substitute towards those fatty store bought ice cream options. So, go ahead and play with your options and this time, eat ice cream...guilt free!!

Banana And Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream
Makes around 4-5 cups of ice-cream

Ingredients:

• 6-7 large ripe and yellow bananas
• 1/2 cup raw cashew nuts (non-toasted and unsalted)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips / 1 large chocolate bar chopped into small pieces
• 1/4 cup pistachio - chopped
• sugar - as per taste
• chocolate sauce and honey to garnish

Method:

• Peel and cut the bananas into small pieces. Put them into an airtight container and freeze overnight until they are completely frozen.
• Soak the unsalted raw cashew nuts into some hot water for 15 minutes and then drain the water.
• Take a blender and put the cashew nut into it. Add 2 tsp water and pulse to make a smooth and fine paste.
• Now add the frozen bananas into the blender and blend until smooth.
• You will have the consistency of a soft serve ice cream. Taste and add sugar as per taste.
• Pour the entire mixture into an air tight container again and mix in chopped pistachios and chocolate chips.
• Cover the mixture with a cling-film to prevent formation of ice crystals. Put cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Take the ice cream out of the freezer prior to 10-15 minutes of serving to make them scoop-able. 
• Scoop into bowls and drizzle chocolate sauce and honey.
• Serve immediately.