Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk)

Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/

Nearly two years ago I started this blog in an effort to share my peculiar eating habits, practice food styling, and someday contribute to the ministries I support. In the last two months my traffic has increased over 150%, and when I looked into why I found that one of my simplest and oldest recipes just hit the right chord with the internet. To everyone who has contributed to this recent boom, thank you! Along with the spread of this recipe has come a barrage of questions, so this repost is to answer every question I’ve ever received about the recipe…and to give it a new look :)

Scroll down for the recipe and FAQs.

Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/
Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/

Strawberry Ice Cream
2 cans coconut milk
6 ounces frozen strawberries OR 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries
1/3 cup raw honey

Using only the fat* from the canned coconut milk, blend all ingredients. Now there are several ways to freeze the ice cream base, and there are several ways to process the ice cream.

Freezing and processing options:
-Freeze ice cream base in ice cube trays. Once frozen process in a food processor until creamy.
-Freeze ice cream base in ice cube trays. One frozen press through a Champion Juicer.
-Pour ice cream base into a bowl and stir occasionally as it freezes. Eat as soon as it reaches a thick consistently.
-Pour ice cream base into a large shallow dish (like a casserole dish). Once frozen scrape the solid mass with a fork until soft enough to serve.
-Freeze ice cream base in popsicle molds.
-Use an ice cream maker.

*Canned coconut milk will separate into fat and water. Do not shake the can and you will be able to remove the fat from the can while leaving the water at the bottom. You will need 2 cups of coconut milk fat for this recipe.

FAQ

Where do I buy canned coconut milk?
I buy Native Forest Organic coconut milk from VitaCost. Most grocery stores carry Thai Kitchen coconut milk, and every health food store carries some brand of coconut milk. Although unmarked, I read that Native Forest uses BPA free cans, which is why I prefer their brand.

How many cans do I need?
Two. Every brand of coconut milk is slightly different, but two cans is enough for this recipe.

How many servings does this make?
Four servings

Can I use coconut cream?
Yes. Trader Joes sells a canned coconut cream, which is the same as coconut milk but it has more fat and less water in each can. You need 2 cups of coconut fat (cream) for this recipe.

Can I use coconut oil?
No. Coconut oil is just the oil pressed from the meat of the coconut. You want coconut milk, which is the meat and water blended together.

Can I use coconut butter?
Yes. Coconut butter is dried and ground coconut meat. Blend ¼ cup coconut butter and 2 cups water to make milk before adding the strawberries and honey.

Can I use a base other than coconut milk?
Yes. You can use cream or yogurt, and if you don’t eat dairy you can make your own nut cream. Just make a simple nut milk, but use less water for a thicker consistency and a more creamy ice cream.

Can I use a sweetener other than honey?
Yes. Agave, maple syrup, and date paste work well in place of honey. Stevia can be used to taste.

Can I make other flavors?
Yes! Raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, mint, and many more flavors can be made.

What if I do not have a high-speed blender?
You do not need a high-speed blender for this recipe. When using frozen strawberries just thaw before hand for easiest blending.

What if I do not have an ice cream maker?
You do not need an ice cream maker for this recipe. See above for a list of options for freezing and processing the ice cream.

Remember, this is ice cream :) Enjoy!

Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/
Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/
Strawberry Ice Cream (coconut milk) http://www.immerwachsen.com/2013/05/07/strawberry-ice-cream-coconut-milk/

Orange Sherbet

“God is God. Because He is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience.
I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will…
a will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notion of what He is up to.”

-Elisabeth Elliot

In exactly one week I turn that age. 25. I’m not where I thought I’d be, but I’m glad for where I am. The past year was the worst most wonderful year, and as I look back it’s hard to believe everything happened in only 365 days. I was broken and persevered, and as Mr. Charles Spurgeon said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Here are some wonderful things I learned or experienced in 2012:

» Forgiveness is essential, but it takes time.
» I am blessed and so grateful to call some of the dearest people friends.
» My biggest fears are of what I want the most, so I need to be myself and not fear man.
» WWOOFing was an incredible experience, but I now know I’m not cut out to be a farmer :)
» Guys and girls can’t be “just” friends. Haven’t you seen When Harry Met Sally?! *
» Classes started today, but I didn’t have to go. I can get used to this whole college graduate thing!

*No need to watch if you haven’t :)

Recipe time! These little bowls are equally refreshing as they are creamy. Citrus season is in full swing, so grapefruit, lemon, mandarine orange, and clementine would all be delicious!

Orange Sherbet
4 navel oranges
1 c coconut milk
1/3 c honey

Juice oranges and freeze the skin halves. Blend orange juice with remaining ingredients and freeze in ice cube trays. Process frozen cubes until smooth and fill frozen orange halves. Enjoy!

[See here for tips and alternatives.]



raw goats milk & raspberry creamsicles


Things I’m thankful for this week:
1. Verses like Psalm 62:5-8

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”

2. Finding gems in The True Woman by Susan Hunt like,

“Happy, happy hour will that be, my dearest of all created blessings, that shall unite our happy souls and bodies in the blessed bonds of marriage and enable us to walk through all the scenes of this life mutually supporting, blessing and assisting each other in the way of duty, until we shall at last be called off the stage to enjoy an eternity of happiness in the world of blessed spirits above.” Mary Fish, Puritan

3. Working with some hilarious farm hands and laughing till I nearly cry.
4. My second week to make lunch on Wednesdays! It’s been so fun making huge amounts of food for the interns and the farmer’s family. Great practice to say the least :)
5. Blueberries! Second round of fruit on the farm. Next, melons!
6. Design talk and getting to know P and E more : )
7. Nerdy movie outing (only been waiting to see since the closing credits of the last one!!!!!!!) to see The Dark Knight Rises with P and E, K, and C.
8. Quite Saturdays off from work and the reassuring comfort from a God that cannot lie and loves more than any other.

Raw Goats Milk & Raspberry Creamsicles
2 1/2 c raw goats milk
1/2 c honey
1/2 c raspberries

Blend all ingredients, pour into popsicle molds, freeze, and enjoy on a hot day!


vanilla chai ice cream & a winner

Congratulations to Sarah Beller! You have won a print from Little Light Creative the shop! Thanks to everyone who entered. I’ll be giving away much more on this blog, so check back soon : )


“Here, it is my duty to be as Christ in this world,
to do what He would do, to live as He would live,
to walk in love and meekness;
then would He be known, then would I have peace in death.”
–The Valley of Vision

This blog came out of a vision to reform the area of health food for the glory of Christ and as a means to give to those in need. I was so burdened with my conviction about food, but wasn’t sure how to go about sharing it with others. People would ask me all the time how I made certain foods or why I ate the way I ate, and every time I would try to explain. This blog is a result of so much prayer and putting a conviction of mine to action in order to spread it to others. I am so encouraged with all the feedback I’ve received since starting the blog last June. My greatest hope is that everyone who visits will see the beauty of God’s creation and praise Him for it. I want people to see that His creation was made for food and it is perfect. I also want Christians who visit to understand that it is our responsibility to take back the area of health food from the corrupt hands in which it currently rests. I may be one small piece in a larger effort to do so, but I take my role very seriously. I’m not a doctor or even a certified nutritionist, but I do know that when we return to the food that has yet to be tainted by man, we gain a health and vitality that I believe humans are naturally supposed to have.

The second part of the vision for this blog has yet to come to fruition, but it’s getting closer. The more people that know about the blog, the closer I get to making the announcement. And I am tickled by the thought of that day when I can announce it! Will you help me spread the word?

Vanilla Chai Ice Cream
4 c water
4 chai tea bags
1 c coconut butter
1/2 c raw honey
2 t vanilla extract
1/4 t Celtic Sea salt

Steep tea bags in water for 10 minutes. Refrigerate until cool. Blend all remaining ingredients. Pour into an ice cream maker, or freeze in ice cube trays and process in food processor.

[See here for tips and alternatives.]

maple ice cream


I’m in college. I would be what you call a super-duper senior. Super meaning 5th year senior. Add a duber to that and you’ve got a 6th year senior. It’s a longgg story, so I’ll share the gist of it.

I was the typical college bound, career driven girl, so naturally I went off to college right after high school graduation. Fast forward two years and I’m convicted to live at home, so I declare my sophomore year the last year living on campus.

My Dad works for the school I attend, and as a result I have had the HUGE blessing of attending college for $0. After my sophomore year I commuted an hour and attended part-time. This went on and on until this September when my family and I moved to the town where my Dad works. No more long drives!

Now I live about 4 whopping minutes from campus! Because of this new arrangement I went ahead and plotted my remaining classes and *gulp* submitted a form to graduate. When I initially moved home I had no intentions of completing my degree. I just kept taking classes because I enjoyed learning from the pros about graphic design. However, after so many years of doing that I’ve gotten to a point where I am sooo close to graduating.

Do I “need” a degree in graphic design…uh no. Do I “need” any degree…uh no. However, I know that as long as my Dad works for the university and I still live at home I will continue taking classes. I make a point each semester to pray about continuing, and so far it’s a go until further notice. Some things happen that you have no idea why or how but you know God is going to use it for His good.

Have questions? Don’t assume, ask away! I would love to answer :)

Maple Ice Cream
4-5 c water
14-16 oz. coconut butter
1 1/2 c maple syrup
2 t Celtic Sea salt
1 c walnuts (soaked and dehydrated)

Blend all ingredients except walnuts. Freeze in ice cube trays and process in a food processor or press through a juicer. I recently bought an ice cream maker, so that works too! Just add in walnuts during processing.

[See here for tips and alternatives.]

Next week: orange chocolates sage crackers & cranberry spread.