Healthy Ice Cream Alternative

I went to a cooking class a few weeks ago and one of the recipes we learned was for Chia Tea Ice Cream.  It was very good but I thought it needed some tweaking.  I have been working on it and think this recipe is even better.  You can use any combination of tea you like the rest doesn’t change.  At the bottom I have some flavor combination options that we tried and loved.  This recipe is really great if you are trying to diet.  Not a lot of sugar and coconut milk/fat has some great health benefits.

Chia Coconut Milk Ice Cream

2 cans coconut milk

1/4 c raw honey

1 T black loose tea (I used Assam)

25 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed

1/8 t cinnamon

In a sauce pan, combine the coconut milk and honey.  Heat, stirring constantly to prevent the honey from burning to the bottom, to a boil.  Remove from heat and add the loose tea and cardamom pods.  Cover and let sit for 2 minutes.  Carefully taste the mixture to see if you have the flavor strength you like.  Strain the mixture into a bowl and stir in the cinnamon.  Cover and refrigerate until completely chilled.

Pour contents into a frozen ice cream maker bowl and process for 20-30 minutes.  Scrape the ice cream into a freezer proof container and place in the freezer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  Serve.

NOTE:  I served the Chia Ice Cream with chopped chocolate on top.  You could drizzle honey over it, sprinkle chopped nuts, chopped coconut, etc. on top too.

FLAVOR OPTIONS:  Peppermint tea, vanilla paste, Earl Grey tea, Orange Spiced tea, Pumpkin Spiced tea, pumpkin pie spice, Macha Green Tea Powder, etc.