Want to eat like a naughty girl without actually feeling guilty?

The other night I had this hankering for something cool and slushy, like frozen yogurt, but didn’t want to blow my calories on sugar and dairy, two things I am trying to minimize from my diet. So what’s a girl to do? I’ve got the perfect solution for the open minded bad girl, (or wicked guy).

Eating raw foods is a large part of my diet, but I do eat cooked foods, too. A girl’s gotta live, right? I try to incorporate as much raw cuisine as I can while continuing to satisfy my love of “cooking” and eating. I know what you’re thinking, “how can you make ice cream out of raw foods and actually have it taste good?”. I know it sounds crazy, and it may not for everyone, but once you try it I’m sure you’ll become hooked. Breyers, what? Pink Berry, who?

Before you whip up the ice cream you have to make the nut milk base. Before you get started though put your ice cream maker’s freezing bowl in the freezer.

Here’s the recipe for the raw vanilla Brazil nut milk:

• 1 cup raw Brazil nuts, soaked for at least 2 hours
• 4 cups filtered water
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1 Tbs vanilla extract
• 1 Tbs lecithin (optional)
• pinch of sea salt

In a high speed blender mix the nuts and the water together until thoroughly blended, about 2 minutes. Strain the milk in either a nut milk bag, multiple layers of cheesecloth, or a fine sieve. After straining, put back in the blender and add the last 4 ingredients. Taste and adjust sweetness, if needed. Chill in the refrigerator.

To make the ice cream:

Pour your chilled nut milk in your frozen ice cream bowl and freeze according to your manufacturer’s instructions. My ice cream didn’t take more than 15-20 minutes, but it may take less time, so keep an eye on it. When your ice cream maker starts to slow that means your ice cream is most likely ready. Take a spatula and spoon the mixture in a plastic container and freeze for 1 hour or eat right away. Enjoy!

The health benefits of Brazil nuts:

Brazil nuts are one of the riches sources of selenium, containing as much as 1180% of USRDA. Brazil nuts are also high in magnesium and thiamine. Research suggests that eating Brazil nuts can lower your risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

The nutritional composition of a Brazil nut it 18% protein, 13% carbohydrates, and 69% fat. The fat is 25% saturated, 41% monounsaturated, and 34% polyunsaturated. Brazil nuts contain the highest amounts of saturated fat than any other nut, but don’t let that scare you off. Saturated fats are good for the body when they come from organic foods. This is why I love to use Brazil nuts in raw nut milks and ice creams because the fat adds extra creaminess.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.