A refreshing brain-healthy strawberry ice cream recipe that’s absolutely perfect for summer. It’s easy, doesn’t require too many ingredients, and is free of refined sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (150 grams) of cashews, soaked for at least 30 minutes
- 3 ripe bananas, frozen
- 1lb (450 grams) organic strawberries, divided in half
- One half frozen
- Another half cooked with ¼ cup (6 grams) Monkfruit sweetener and ¼ cup (6 grams) chopped basil over low heat for 15 minutes
- 1 tsp vanilla
- For the basil cream: ½ cup (10 grams) of fresh basil leaves blended with a tablespoon of water, a tablespoon of tahini, and a tablespoon of pure maple syrup, or 1–2 pitted date(s)
How to make our Strawberry Basil Ice Cream
- Soak the cashews to make them soft.
Freeze the sliced bananas and half of the strawberries. - Make the strawberry sauce by mashing sliced strawberries with Monkfruit. Bring to a simmer and then add the fresh basil and stir. Set aside.
- Make the basil butter by blending the ingredients. In a strong blender, blend the cashews, bananas, strawberries, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour in a freezer-safe pan and swirl in the strawberry sauce and the basil butter.
- Freeze for at least 4–6 hours. You could also use an ice cream machine.
- Scoop and enjoy.
The brain science behind the recipe
Consumption of strawberries as part of a healthy dietary pattern has been associated with improved brain health outcomes and lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases, thanks to their high content of anthocyanins and other compounds which may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (an imbalance in the production and accumulation of several types of unstable, highly oxygen-reactive molecules).
For further reading: Dietary strawberry improves cognition in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults. PMID: 33468271
@thebraindocs Strawberry Basil Ice Cream 🍓 References: Dietary strawberry improves cognition in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults. PMID: 33468271 Ingredients: - 1 cup cashews, soaked for at 30 minutes - 3 ripe bananas, frozen - 1 lb organic strawberries, divided in half, one half frozen, the other half cooked with 1/4 cup Monkfruit sweetener and 1/4 cup chopped basil over low heat for 15 minutes. - 1 tsp vanilla - Basil cream: 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves blended with a tablespoon of water, a tablespoon of tahini and a tablespoon of pure maple syrup or 1-2 pitted date(s). Directions: Soak the cashews to make it soft. Freeze the sliced bananas and half of the strawberries. Make the strawberry sauce by mashing sliced strawberries with Monkfruit, bring to a simmer and then add the fresh basil and stir. Set aside. Make the basil butter by blending the ingredients. In a strong blender, blend the cashews, bananas, strawberries and vanilla until smooth. Pour in a freezer safe pan and swirl in the strawberry sauce and the basil butter. Freeze for at least 4-6 hours. You could also use an ice cream machine. Scoop and enjoy. #brainhealth #healthyrecipes #healthydessert #icecream ♬ original sound - The Brain Docs
The 30-Day Alzheimer’s Solution
Our book is the definitive food and lifestyle guide for preventing cognitive decline.
Order it today from all major retailers.
Get more brain science direct to your email inbox
Sign up for the Brain Docs newsletter for weekly recipes, brain teasers, neuroscience facts, podcast updates, and more — for free!
