I have always considered myself quite a nice person. I like food of all shapes, flavours and colours. From every country and continent. I don’t discriminate, I am an equal opportunity eater. It’s only the doctors who say I’m intolerant. And certain foods who refuse to tolerate me. They certainly refuse to recognise and respect my right to eat them without major physical discomfort and distress.


Gluten and lactose are not my friends.


Despite the negative attitudes surrounding me from many of those I love best, (cakes, ice cream, hot toast) I decided to become a chef. Not always easy when you live in a bread and milk filled world. I like to think that this has helped me become a better person as I embrace my differences and refuse to let the gluten get me down. I believe InTolerance. I am the InTolerant Chef.

Food should not be about what you can’t eat, but what you can and what you enjoy eating. This blog is about my journey of cooking and eating and discovery. It’s not a definitive guide to allergy awareness nor do my intolerances make me an expert. Your body is your responsibility, not mine. I only know what works for me.


I can tell you this..... No glutens were harmed in the making of this website.

February 14, 2013

Nice Cream








One of my gifts this Christmas was a wonderful Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker from BigJ

It has it's own compressor and everything, so there's no pre-freezing or mucking about and it can even make more than one batch in a row



After a couple of false starts or so, including sending it away for a replacement machine, we finally have it up and running and cranking out yummy lactose free treats





I'm having a great time trying out different flavour combinations and base mixes, but I also want to concentrate on healthier options that still taste as rich and yummy as their full fat, dairy contemporaries, and of course that are InTolerant friendly too.

I came up with this mix a couple of years ago when we were having some friends over for dinner, and whose little boy happens to be anaphylactic to dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts. I don't see any reason to cook two meals when one will do, so the whole meal was based on foods he could eat safely, without the use of an epi-pen.
He loved this dessert, and his Mum and Dad loved being able to relax and enjoy a night out- worry free. We decided to call it Nice Cream, because it was it's nice to allergies, nice to tummies, and nice to eat!



Three simple ingredients

600ml Coconut Cream
2 or 3 Ripe Bananas
5 Cardamom Pods



I used coconut milk, but I think coconut cream would have made a silkier mouth feel
Make sure you use nice ripe bananas for a lovely strong taste and natural sweetness
If you want to add some extra sweetness, a couple of tablespoons of brown or palm sugar should be enough










Give the cardamom pods a bit of a smash to make sure the little seeds are exposed and to release the flavour










Pop the pods and the coconut cream in a saucepan and heat to a simmer. If you are adding any sugar, do it now and stir until it dissolves. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to room temperature and infuse.










Strain out the seeds and pods, their work here is done










Add two or three nice ripe bananas to the cooled mixture and blend it all up until smooth









For super smooth results you can also strain the mix through a fine sieve, but I don't really mind any little flecks of fruit or the odd lump or two









Pop the mix into an ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturers instructions.
If you don't have one of these, then put it in a large bowl in the freezer and whisk vigorously from time to time as it freezes to break up the ice crystals and incorporate some air into the mix to make it lighter as well









Ready to scoop soft-serve, or pop in the freezer to firm up a little









Perfect smooth and lovely, healthy Nice Cream!









Scoop a lovely dome of deliciousness onto an allergy friendly cone (these ones are Eskal- but I bought an ice cream cone making kit, so stay tuned) and dig right in!



So Dear Readers, what's your favourite ice cream flavour, and do you like one scoop or two?






Other posts on iced treats you might like to check out:

http://intolerantchef.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/seasonal-cheer.html

http://intolerantchef.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/dark-chocolate-sorbet.html

http://intolerantchef.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/sublime-honey-sorbet.html















39 comments:

  1. Oh you lucky thing! That's the ice cream machine of my dreams :-) xx

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    1. I was very spoilt, wasn't I Emma! Maybe Santa will bring you one next year? x

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  2. This sounds delicious! Coconut milk is my favourite! Yum! Now I just need to get an ice cream machine!

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    1. I love coconut too Clare, it goes with so many other flavours- savory and sweet!

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  3. how delicious, the cardamon is something I wouldn't have thought of.

    last year I got an imported coconut icecream that was pomegranate & with dribbles of dark chocolate scattered through it. It was so delicious, and that shop has never had it since.

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    1. Oh my, how delicious! What a shame they haven't had it back- could they order it in for you? I might have to try and recreate that combination Ista- yummo!

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  4. Love the cardamon flavor in this ice cream - yum! I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker too - such a great appliance!

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    1. It sure is great isn't it Ina! What's your favourite flavour you've made so far?

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  5. How sad for that little guy to have so many severe allergies. His parents must be on high alert all the time. I love the look of this ice cream but I think I would use coconut cream and I think if you added a little palm sugar you could definitely call this, 'Thai Nice Cream'. I covet your ice cream machine! xx

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    1. Oh that's a great idea Charlie! Maybe you could ask Santa for one next year?
      It is very hard for the little guys family,releasing him to start school took a big leap of faith indeed. Lots of prayers and faith! xox

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  6. Coconut cream icecream! Becca you're a genius! I'll have to try it - without the banana though.. :)

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    1. Don't you like banana Celia? MiddleC hates them too- so sad :( I actually have a friend who is terribly allergic to them and her throat starts to swell if she's too near some nice ripe ones. I'm sure you will come up with some brilliant flavours xox

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  7. Well done! What was wrong with it in the first place? I only ask because I've often wanted to buy one of these machines or something like it that you don't have to freeze prior to use :S

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    1. Thanks Lorraine! The machine just wasn't freezing well. The instructions read 40 to 60 minutes per batch, and ours was taking 80 mins to get to thickshake consistency. We rang Cuisinart direct, and they were great, explaining that it was probably something that happened in shipping or a bad connection, and we were sent a new machine fairly quickly. The new one works as advertised, and gets to a soft serve consistency in less than an hour, or put in your deep freeze for a couple off hours for very firm scoops. The best part is no waiting between batches, you can run them consecutively for all the deliciousness than you can handle :) Well worth the money even if you only use it every couple of weeks.

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  8. Oh no, what a worrying time those poor parents have! I really feel for them. It was so good you were able to feed everyone the same menu! WELL DONE

    I make a similar ice-cream but I am not happy freezing the canister all the time. What brand is your machine. Do you love it ??

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    1. Thanks GG! I've got the freezer bowl for my Kenwood, but it is a big hassle to make sure it's ready when I need it. This new one is a Cuisinart with it's own compressor and it's wonderful indeed! So much easier- I just need some cupboard space to store it!

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  9. Aww, this looks wonderful. And I love you used cardamom in it, it delivers such a wonderful flavor!

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    1. Thanks Kath! So lovely to see you! I kept getting kicked off your site for months as well as one in the US, JanetNZ has similar problems with my site sometimes too. Don't know why though???
      Cardamom is so yummy, my mum loves it so much, she puts it in everything even spaghetti bolognaise!

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  10. Haha what a nice name and great gift to receive for Christmas! Looks like you're putting it to great use already. Can't wait to see what else you come up with. Time to go nuts with them flavours =D

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    1. I was very blessed wasn't I Winston? So many flavours to explore, so many claories to consume! :)

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  11. Nice idea to use coconut cream...I must add it to my list. I made peach and honey icecream last week with fresh peaches.

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    1. Oh how yummy indeed, fresh peaches are sublime! Did you puree them, or use nice soft chunks? Peaches and cream is such a perfect combination :)

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  12. I have serious kitchen toy envy right now. I hope this comment shows up - I've commented on your last posts, but they seem to disappear into thin air... sigh... XO

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    1. How frustrating indeed!!! It happens to me with your blog too sometimes Janet, and I've completely lost touch with one over in the US as well and Kath from Germany. I can't even get on to the contact pages. No idea why at all?? I promise I'm not blocking you sweetie!
      The only issue with my icecream maker is finding room to store it :)

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  13. Oh man, amazing! I don't use cardamom enough - would never think to pair it here, smells amazing through the screen though.

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    1. Yes, aren't these new smell-screens terrific, I'll be so pleased when they perfect the taste feature :)
      Cardamom is lovely, my mum puts it in everything- even spaghetti bolognaise!

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  14. LOVE this. I just received one of these beauties as a belated wedding present - lucky!! Beautiful recipe. Cannot wait to play!
    Heidi xo

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    1. Lucky thing you Heidi! I'm looking forward to some great recipes on your blog :)

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  15. Ooo, that sounds good. Coconut milk and cardamom - yum!

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  16. Butterscotch is yummy isn't it? It must be nice to be surrounded by such yummy ingredients while you're making it :)

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  17. I love this so much! :)

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  18. Wuhoo for interesting sounding ice-creams! MmMmm

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  19. may I ask where you bought the ice cream cone making kit from?
    thanks in advance

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  20. Hi Anonymous :) the kit is Davis and Waddel, and most kitchenware shops should be able to get that brand. I got mine from the Hospitality Store here in Canberra. Hope you can find one.

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  21. hi , thanks for the quick reply, found one for $20 at http://www.homesnthings.com.au/shop/kitchenware/kitchen-tools-gadgets/davis-waddell-waffle-cone-maker-set
    for anyone else searching. Thanks and good luck

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