Banana Ice Cream

I have always been a huge fan of bananas.  Bananas and peanut butter, bananas dipped in chocolate, bananas and honey. . . And, is there really anything better in this entire world than ice cream? 

The word, 'ice cream', stirs up the sweetest memories of my dear Pop-Pop.  He left us on earth in 2005 to live eternally, and there is not a day that he is not missed by those blessed enough to have known and loved him.  A Captain in the U.S. Navy, he was a man of dignity and honor.  His laugh was deep and could liven up the mood of a room in seconds.  His eyes were kind.  He ate a bowl of ice cream practically every night.  You can see why we all loved him more than words can ever really say. . .

This recipe is the sweetest ending to a good (or bad) day.  The most contagiously exciting part about this recipe is that it is a much healthier version of ice cream. To make this recipe, you will blend frozen bananas with a little milk, add a few innocent toppings, and voila! 

I am not sure I would have sold Pop-Pop with this recipe, as he was always a dedicated fan of dreamy, creamy flavors that were sinfully perfect. . . We shared an obsession for Breyer's Chocolate.  But, I guarantee you he would have loved for me to make him a bowl to try one night. 

Here's to you, Pop-Pop.

Banana Ice Cream
Recipe: my own

Ingredients (2 servings):
2-3 frozen bananas, broken into pieces
1/4-1/2 cup of 2% milk
slivered almonds
chocolate sauce
whipped cream

The Process:
Simply blend the bananas in a food processor or blender.  It will look messy and weird - just be patient.  Add in the milk a little at a time until you have reached your desired consistency.  Top with slivered almonds, a dainty drizzle of chocolate sauce, and a little whipped cream. 

It will not taste as creamy as real ice cream, and you should not expect it to, as it is missing cream, eggs, and sugar.  It tastes more like a slightly creamy banana sorbet.  The addition of milk helps the creamy factor, and the toppings add lovely textures.  It is so worth making. 

"Oh the life of a sailor,

Wind and water are free.

Oh the life of a sailor,

That's the life for me.

My grandfather was a sailor,

He was the leader of his men.

The captain had some courage...

Can I be like him?"

~Johnny Guitar (Johnny Selman), "T-Freddie"