Yesterday was one of those days was so “off” that it just about made you dizzy. Between rounds with the doctor, charting, a drug rep running 45 minutes late (who was proving lunch for myself and 17 co-workers — hungry co-workers are scccary!), my car stereo/radio going out…again (fixed after a third trip to the repair place), etc, etc, etc. I felt like I was running all day and yet, felt completely unproductive.
When I paused to think, “What recipe am I going to blog about tomorrow?” (because bloggers think about this kind of thing), I realized my batch of Five-Minute Chunky Monkey Ice Cream was no more. Finito. Vanished. IN MY BELLY. Thank goodness I had slowed down the inhalation process, just a bit, to take a [crappy] photo over the weekend…
Lucky for me, I keep stock piles of frozen bananas on hand – in the past for smoothies, and lately, for Chunky Monkey. I’m all for a great ice cream and the whole ice cream making ordeal, but there’s something so very phenomenal about having homemade (HEALTHY!) ice cream in 5 minutes.
Even crazy busy, make-you-dizzy kind of days will allow the time to throw a few ingredients into a blender or food processor and let it whirl. And let’s me honest, those are the days Chunky Monkey needs to come to the rescue most.
Five-Minute Chunky Monkey Ice Cream adapted from Kitchen Simplicity, as seen on Pennies on a Platter
6 medium bananas, peeled and chopped, frozen
3-4 Tbsp skim milk
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup chocolate chunks
2 Tbsp Nutella (or peanut butter)
Directions:
Puree the bananas, milk, and Nutella in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add the walnuts and chocolate chunks and pulse until mixed in. Serve immediately or freeze for later consumption. Yield: 4 cups (8 servings; 1/2 cup each).
Nutrition Information (per serving): 156 calories; 5.1 g. fat; 0 mg. cholesterol; 6 mg. sodium; 27.8 g. carbohydrate; 3.1 g. fiber; 2.3 g. protein
Result: Mr. Prevention pretty much thinks I’m the smartest thing ever after this one. I’ve made banana soft serve before, but adding the Nutella, walnuts, and chocolate takes it to a whole new level – a Chunky Money level. While Mr. P thought the calorie count would be lower, I had to remind him that each serving is nearly a serving of fruit – and bananas are one of the highest calorie fruits per serving. So while not a free-for-all calorie-wise, this Chunky Monkey Ice Cream is not only simple to make, but offers fiber, vitamins, and minerals (potassium!) and far less fat than any regular’ol ice cream. And, it really does taste like Chunky Monkey! Enjoy!
[/print_this]And just because they’re so darn pretty (and photogenic!)…our sunflowers:
I am actually “off” work today — I have several meetings with the teacher whose Nutrition Care Process and Medical Nutrition Therapy courses I’ll be taking over, as well as a meeting at the college with the department. I am also going to head up to our new office! My dear business partner and her very sweet hubby spent the weekend cleaning and furnishing our office space and I hear it looks fabulous! 😀
Question: What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Be well,
YUM!! PErfect ending to a not so good day, right?! This sounds amazing. I love Chunky Monkey, but I do not LOVE the nutrition facts on the back of the container. This one sounds much more reasonable.
Right now my favorite ice cream flavor is still Graeter’s black raspberry chip.
omg I’m so addicted to this stuff. LOVE banana “ice creams” and you’re right, the added ingredients take it to a whole new level!
anything with nutella is amazing. I can’t keep it in my house because it’s very very dangerous. I have no portion control when it comes to that stuff.
Author
I know, I’m the same way. I hide it in the verrrry back of the pantry.
I love Nutella but bananas are not on my fav list. I’ll have to try this just once or how do I know I won’t like it.
I don’t have a fav ice cream, it tends to upset my stomach but sometimes I can’t resist. I guess it all depends on my mood.
That looks amazing, Nicole! You had me at Nutella 😉
I love preaching the awesomeness of banana soft serve! And I agree – mixing in peanut butter (or any variety) and chocolate makes it even better.
Congrats on taking over some classes – are you excited?
Author
Overwhelmed, but excited! It’ll be great to be teaching “nutrition majors” vs. just the nutrition 101 class for non-majors. The Medical Nutrition Therapy will be a great thing for me to teach and freshen up on, too. Working just with endocrine and nephrology, I need the refresher course myself 😉
This sounds amazing. I keep frozen bananas on hand all the time too. You just never know when you’re going to need them.
ooo great recipe + nutrition stats! I will have to try this banana soft serve soon!
Author
I love the fiber in there 🙂
Banana soft serve is the most genius thing ever… This takes it to another level! Holy moly Nicole, I need to restock my supply of frozen bananas asap.
Author
You can never have too many frozen bananas!
I’ve seen banana “soft serve” before but adding the nutella looks just incredible. Oh yum!
My food processor doesn’t work all that well so mine doesn’t come out as creamy. Might have to borrow my moms to make this though. Looks delicious!
OMG I’m totally making this before summer is officially over. You are the best!! I love all kinds of ice cream but anything with reece’s in it takes the cake!
Author
Enjoy! 🙂
I love love love banana soft serve but I never thought of adding delicious ingredients like nuts and PB. You really are culinary genius 🙂
Author
I hope you love it, too!
So let me get this straight, you’re taking frozen bananas, throwing ’em in the food processor with the other stuff, and getting soft serve “ice cream”? And I don’t need to go through the hassle of having an ice cream maker? SOLD! This will be happening this weekend after I go to the store. This is awesome squared!