Dairy-Free Easy Blackberry Basil Ice Cream - SRC

I am taking a brief break from my August vacation from blogging to bring you this very important post:  my monthly contribution to the Secret Recipe Club.

My assigned blog is Life on Food, hosted by Emily.  Emily is a self-proclaimed foodie, married to Mr. J, her partner in cooking and eating adventures.  Emily loves to blog about "everyday food occurrences" along with her recipes, making her posts an interesting as well as a delicious read.

From her vast collection, I had narrowed my selection down to three, agonizing over which to make for SRC, when the decision was made for me.  A couple weeks ago, a library regular came to the library reference desk and asked me to look up the birthday of a particular TV star.  As usual, by the time I started to write this post I could not longer recall the star's name, but I did note that his date of birth was August 25th, my recipe reveal posting date!  And for some reason other major happenings on that date popped up as well, including the factoid that August 25th also happened to be  National Banana Split Day.   And one of the recipe finalists just happened to be Blackberry Ice Cream ... the perfect dish with which to celebrate since the recipe is exactly like a banana split ... in that it contains bananas.






















I've made that famous one-ingredient banana ice cream before, even using it to create a fancy-schmancy variation.  But Emily's special twist intrigued me.  A savory herb in a dessert?  Yes, yes, YES!  And while we are on the subject, the 10 basil leaves required might first appear to be about 9 leaves too much, but in truth it really is just the right amount.  Because of the blackberry and bananas, you need a vast quantity of basil in order for its taste to peek through.  When the ice cream first hits your tongue, the bananas shine. Then blackberries move to the front of your taste buds, followed by mellow basil notes.

Started to melt a bit ... didn't affect the flavor.
In case you are worried about the blackberry seeds, don't.  Unless you wear dentures or have very fussy eaters, top the whole shebang with sliced almonds.  The almond crunch will camouflage the seeds very nicely, thank you.

Unlike my earlier banana ice cream recipe, Emily adds in milk, giving the dessert a creamier flavor as well as a silky mouth-feel.  I had guests with lactose issues, so I made a tiny substitution of dairyless almond milk.  Still yummy!

Oh ... can't believe I forgot to mention: the really neato most fantabulous thing about this recipe?  Emily originally created it for breakfast!  Think about it.  Just a couple of fruits, a few herb leaves and milk.  No sugar added!  Yay! Dessert for breakfast!  Thank you, Emily!




Dairy-Free Easy Basil Blackberry Banana "Ice Cream"
Adapted from: Life on Food
Yield:  2 breakfast or 3 dessert servings
Blueberries or strawberries can be used in place of the blackberries

2 bananas, peeled, cut into 5 or 6 pieces, then frozen solid
1/2 cup frozen blackberries
10 small to medium fresh basil leaves, large leaves coarsely torn or chopped
1/2 almond milk


Place all ingredients in a food processor.

Process for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy, stopping the machine to scrape down the ingredients as necessary.






















Serve immediately.  If you prefer, freeze to serve later.  If frozen solid, toss back in processor for 20-30 seconds until softened.

Comments

  1. A big thank you to the anonymous person who added my post to the blog hop. It was much appreciated!

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  2. I haven't yet made this instant ice cream using bananas, but I've seen blogs about it, and it sounds absolutely great!

    Hope you are enjoying Reveal Monday!

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  3. Mmm... that looks like such a wonderful variation of banana ice cream!! Awesome pick this month!

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  4. What a great way to end the summer. Great pick!

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  5. FABULOUS recipe and a great way to use up brambles too! Karen

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  6. Love that you don't need an ice cream maker for this!

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  7. I love how well herbs and fruit pair. This sounds amazing and is so perfect for summer!

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  8. I love ice cream recipes that don't need an ice cream maker. This sounds so delicious! Great pick this month ;)

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  9. This is definitely going on my to try list. THanks

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  10. I just started adding basil to my morning smoothies again. I am glad you enjoyed the recipe.

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  11. Yum! I love how this ice cream doesn't need an ice cream maker and is super healthy!

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  12. I need to start eating more bananas, but I'm not big on just eating them plain [need to prevent those late night pregnancy charlie horses]. I loved strawberry & basil together. I'm sure blackberry & basil is just as good! Great pick for reveal day!

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  13. I often make variations of a frozen banana ice cream (with mango and passionfruit is my favourite) for breakfast - seriously, is there any better way to start the day?! I'm loving the idea of blackberry and basil in this version - definitely one for me to try.

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  14. Ice cream for dessert sounds right up my alley!!!

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  15. Hi I like your blog and wanted to invite you to join www.recipebyday.com a directory of recipes where you just have to register your blog and appear links to your recipes for you to increase your visits. Regards and Thanks.

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  16. oh yum! I'm going to have to pin this version! I made some blackberry ice cream last week but am always looking for a dairy free version

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  17. What a great variation on a now-classic! Perfect SRC pick.

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