I was going to post about my trip to San Francisco last week, detailing all the great food I ate and what I learned about my stomach’s reactions to certain things, but the heatwave in SoCal this weekend has totally trumped that post.
It’s been a long, hot summer here in Orange County. Which is fine, but we don’t usually get hit with any temps over 80 degrees F here on the coast. I mean, it’s part of the price we pay to live here, I thought, our payback for dealing with all the tourists leaving garbage in front of our house. (Really, people? Were you raised by wolves?)
And this year it’s been record highs at the beach, and so packed we can’t even stick a toe in the water. The Husband hasn’t let me turn on the oven since June. Thank goodness for the food processor and the trusty new Vitamix, or I’d be going stir crazy.
So here’s one that goes out to all my readers and fellow bloggers dealing with what will be 95°F-and-up weather tomorrow (and for Lauren who’s probably dealing with Carmageddon 2 on top of the heat). It’s vegan, it’s paleo, it’s sugar-free, it’s gluten-free and it’s downright delicious. I’m sure if you don’t have a Vitamix, you can defrost the fruit, blend everything together, then stick it in the freezer or an ice-cream maker.
But after slaving for hours in August to make ice cream, and it was so friggin’ hot that the ice-cream maker couldn’t freeze the damn ice cream—yes, there was some serious swearing and maybe a few tears—this shocked me with its simplicity. And deliciousness.
Adapted from the Vitamix “getting started” book, I bring you:
Peach, Mango and Banana Ice Cream
1 lb. (16 oz.) of frozen peach slices and mango chunks
1 1/2 frozen bananas
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup light coconut milk
Pile everything in the Vitamix. Start out on the low setting, turn it up and then throw it up to high for about 30 seconds, until four lumps form. STOP HERE or you’ll get a smoothie.
You can see I couldn’t help myself from tasting it…
I put mine in the freezer and it was still soft-servey later when we wanted to eat it. Well, I wanted to eat it right after I made it, but I was a good girl and just ate two bowls later after dinner. It’s sugar-free, right?
tinykitchenstories 
mmm. gonna make it tomorrow. thx jenn!
Hope you like it! I’m loving it…
Looks delicious however my stomach does NOT like bannanas:-(
I used bananas instead of sugar. Replace them with a 1/4 cup sugar, and you should be banana free! 🙂
Yes, it does make me hungry. We’ve been playing around with variations of the banana based ice cream. We love them. I use almond milk instead of the coconut though. I don’t have a Vitamix (wish I did) but my Ninja works for the ice cream.
Mmmm, I bet the almond milk would taste yummy too! I used what was on hand, which is always coconut milk. I’ve heard the Ninja is good! What other flavors have you tried? I’d love to know!
Same for me with the milk — it’s just always almond at my house. Let’s see flavors — chocolate (with all bananas and cocoa powder), eggnog (with all bananas and nutmeg), pumpkin, strawberry, peach. I know i’ve tried others just not thinking of them right now.
Oooh, that eggnog one sounds delish! Might throw a little pumpkin in for a pumpkin pie ice cream…thanks for the inspiration!
Fabulous! Is that a new Vitamix I see? You must be having SO much fun! X
I am, Shira! I’m using it at least once a day. I’m so in love. I made gazpacho the other night–I can’t believe how quickly things happen in the kitchen with a Vitamix!
You got a Vitamix? Swoon. 🙂
I love it so much I want to marry it. The Husband’s just happy I’m getting my money’s worth! 😉
Geez, that looks insanely good! And easy! Isn’t the Vitamix book fun :-)?
Next time I’ll definitely use full-fat coconut milk for extra creaminess, but YES it is hitting the spot in the warm evenings! And yes, the whole Vitamix experience is awesome. LOVING it! 🙂
So delicious. Will have a go at it later. Thanks
I hope you do! Thanks for the comment! 🙂
I got one of those Yonana machines, they use frozen bananas and whatever frozen fruit you have. Comes out like soft serve ice cream. It’s about $25. Great stuff!
Wow, that sounds like a great machine! I hope it works for this recipe too. Thanks for the comment!
Yay for your new vitamix! I’ve been waiting to see what you make with it! I totally need to make this! Looks so refreshing!
Did that and some gazpacho in about 10 minutes. I was amazed and blissed out! The Vitamix is like my iPhone–I know I used to live without it, but I’m starting to wonder how!? 😉 P.S. all Vitamix recipes gratefully received!
Isn’t it crazy. I have the Blendtec, but I can’t imagine life prior. I’d be lost without it now!
I know, right? I mean, how would we make our green smoothies? 😉
I went through 7 blenders in 14 years before the Blendtec. What a waste!
Yeah, that’s how I sold the Vitamix to The Husband–it’s the only one we would have to buy for years. Viva la Vitamix!
Yeehaw!
Love it! Gluten free, dairy free and vegan, who’d have thought! Looks totally delicious too. On the other hand I’m hoping you’ve survived the insane weather. We have reverted back to cooler windy days & evenings now, who knew the weather could be so finicky!!!
I’m surviving, but man, it doesn’t feel like October! Looking forward to wearing sweaters and long trousers again…although after my first paddle board lesson on Friday! 🙂
The ice cream looks very yummy, but I am having a hard time getting past the vitamix! I want one badly!
I tell you, I love that thing. I’m one step away from sleeping with it like a security blanket…. 😉
GIRL! You are killing me. Vitamixing Ice Cream??? All healthy and smooth-like? I’m so excited to try this… it will have way more chunks, but sounds soooo delicious 😉 Also, what is up with this hotness! My organs are steaming themselves. XO
Seriously, my sweat is sweating. And I’m at the freaking beach! I hope you try the ice cream–chunks would be lovely. xx
We hope you got some cool weather while in SF – it’s good like that…. Even though I’m not dreaming of sunny days (hopeless task) I’ve been thinking of making ice cream for so long! This look totally doable!
Thank you! We actually had glorious weather, and we even had rain here last week. It’s 85 again today, but hopefully fall will come soon… 🙂