Today looks like the first day of Spring. Theoretically, I love Spring – the air is fresh, the skies are blue and the flowers are blooming, it’s lovely!
The only problem is… I’m allergic to it. Who else has hayfever? Have your symptoms kicked in yet?
But despite the sneezing and puffy eyes, I’m really enjoying this weather. I was even inspired to make ice cream!
…A vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream which makes a wonderful palette cleansing dessert – and the mint also acts as a natural decongestant (bonus for the hayfever sufferers!)
The ice cream is coconut milk based and those who are familiar with my blog, know how much I love coconut milk ice cream :-) But there is another surprising ingredient in this ice cream…
Promise you won’t run away when I tell you what it is??
It’s spinach!
Yes, I put spinach in ice cream but I’m not a monster, I swear!
The spinach is added to give that natural green colour but trust me- you cannot taste it at all. But you can feel completely smug about eating something as healthy as spinach in your dessert. It’s win win!
And seeing as this is a green dessert, I’ll take this opportunity to mention St Patrick’s Day which is on it’s way soon. Do any of you celebrate or “go green” for the occasion?
I’m from an Irish family and I’m ashamed to say I don’t do an awful lot on the day, usually. Other than, perhaps, enjoy some Irish whiskey…
📖 Recipe
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream {Vegan}
A delicious and refreshing ice cream with a secret healthy ingredient!
Ingredients
- Approx 80g baby leaf spinach
- 3 x 400ml cans of coconut milk - chilled in the fridge for at least 3 hours
- optional 1 heaped tbsp coconut flour
- 180 ml honey or maple syrup
- 1 ½ tbsp peppermint extract
- 150 g chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place spinach in a blender with a few tbsp of water, just enough to make it blend. Mix until smooth and transfer the juice to a small saucepan. Cook on a medium heat, uncovered, until the liquid has been reduced and you are left with a thick puree. Leave to cool completely.
- Make sure the coconut milk is chilled until the fat is separated. Discard the liquid left in the can (or save to add to a curry!) and keep the thick, coconut cream.
- Using a food mixer, or a bowl and a whisk, mix a small amount of the coconut cream with 1 tbsp of the spinach puree and (optional) coconut flour until thick and smooth. It should be a nice green colour! The coconut flour helps thicken it but isn't strictly necessary.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (apart from the chocolate chips) and whip until a smooth, creamy mixture is formed.
- Add the mixture to your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturers instructions. Add the chocolate chips during the churning.
- Once churned, transfer to a shallow, freezer safe container and let it set in the freezer for at least a few hours before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
I like to blitz the chocolate chips in the food processor before adding to the mixture. This gives a more "speckled effect" to the ice cream.
Jaci says
All of your ice creams look so delicious, but my daughter is allergic to coconut. Can you suggest any non-dairy alternatives to coconut milk and coconut flower? Please? I’d love to make this ice cream.
Aimee says
Thanks Jaci :-) you can use pretty much any milk you like along with the arrowroot powder which I use in most of my ice cream recipes (or instead of coconut flour in this recipe.) I haven’t personally tried other milks with this recipe but would suggest also adding something creamy like a soy creamer or maybe adding in some soaked and blended cashews for a thicker, creamier texture. Let me know you get on if you decide to experiment!
Mariah says
Looks delish! Is there any way to get by without an ice cream maker?
Aimee says
Thank you Mariah! I haven’t tried this but here is a guide on making ice cream without a machine: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2007/07/making-ice-crea-1/ David Leibovitz knows his ice cream so it’s worth a go. Please let me know how it turns out if you try it :-)
[email protected] says
Oh Aimee, you’re an amazing dessert queen! This is awesome – a spinach ingredient to make the ice cream to go green! Oh I wish I have an ice cream maker, I really need to get one since summer is approaching soon! I can’t wait for summer and some good ice cream of yours! I’m bookmarking this recipe, thank you for the amazing recipe! Thank you!
Sarah & Arkadi says
love it! i have yet to make my own ice cream! thanks for the boost of confidence!
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I love the idea of adding spinach to ice-cream. The color of this is definitely lovely! And the flavor combo is a winner as well. I really like the sound of this! : )