Better Than Ice Cream

By Cathe Olson

Kids love ice cream, but it's packed with sugar. This frozen treat whips up in seconds, and you won't believe how good it tastes.

1 cup frozen sliced bananas

1 cup frozen strawberries, raspberries, sliced peaches or other fruit

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ to ½ cup milk (dairy, soy, rice, almond, or coconut)

In a food processor, pulse fruit until coarsely chopped.
Add milk a little at a time through top of processor, and puree until creamy.
Serve immediately, or freeze in individual-size containers for later.

Yield: 4 servings

Tip: These also make great popsicles. Just pour into molds and freeze.

Freezing Fruit

Frozen fruit is essential for Better Than Ice Cream and makes colder, thicker smoothies. Start at least six hours before you are planning to use the fruit. This is a great way to use up ripe fruit that might go bad before you can use it.

Apricot, Nectarine, Peach: Remove pit and slice
Banana: Peel and slice
Berries: Hull and leave whole

Lay prepared fruit on baking sheet and place in freezer until completely frozen.
Remove fruit from pan.
Store in freezer bags or containers.