I hope you like my latest 'nicecream' flavour. It's dairy, gluten and yucky additive free with a beautiful secret ingredient to avoid having to use artificial colours.
Spirulina is a nutritional powerhouse with around 60% highly digestible protein (comparable to eggs), containing all essential amino acids and is a great source of antioxidants. Spirulina has 26 times more calcium than milk and is an excellent source of iron, which makes it great for vegetarians, vegans and during pregnancy. Check the purity of your spirulina so you can be sure it isn't contaminated with pesticides and herbicides. This is the one I like to use.
Many refer to Spirulina as one of the most nutrient dense foods in the planet. It's a shame it doesn't taste very nice! I like to take it in tablet form but the powder is great for smoothies and ice cream such as this! In this recipe, the Spearmint oil and the maple syrup balance out the banana flavour and the spirulina is not detectable at all.
Chocolate Spearmint Nicecream
(Serves 4 - 5)
- 5 frozen bananas (peeled and cut into bite sized pieces prior to freezing). You can even buy organic frozen banana in the supermarket now if you want to make this immediately and don't have any in the freezer.
- ~~~~1 tspn powdered spirulina
- ~~1/4 cup coconut cream
- 1 Tblspn maple syrup (or honey)
- 8 drops dōTERRA spearmint essential oil
Throw all ingredients except the Spearmint oil in your Thermomix or high speed blender and blitz for 20 seconds, gradually working up to speed 9. Scrape down the sides with your spatula, add the spearmint oil and blitz for 10 more seconds on speed 8. It should be beautifully creamy.
Choose your own dark chocolate or chocolate chips to mix through or sprinkle on top and voilà! Deliciously healthy icecream!
Reference: Moorhead, K., Capelli, B., & Cyseweski, G. R., PhDP. (2011). Spirulina Nature's Superfood (3rd ed.). Kailua-Kona, HI: Cyanotech Corporation.