Product Review: Turtle Mountain's Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Cream

I thought it might be fun to do an interesting product review from time to time.

I've been curious about the Turtle Mountain's Purely Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Cream. I've walked past it many times in my grocery store... and finally decided to give it a try. I picked up the Vanilla Bean flavor, since Vanilla Bean ice cream is one of my favorites.

The ice cream is sweetened with Agave Syrup, a "sweetener" substitute we've been playing around with here in our house, in tea instead of honey, or on oatmeal instead of brown sugar. It also contains no soy protein, is dairy and lactose free, cholesterol free, contains no trans fats, is certified vegan, and made with certified organic ingredients. The website boasts that this makes the ice cream much lower in fat, calories, and sugar, than most "premium" ice creams.

This can't taste good, can it? Oh yes it can!!! One bite and I was surprised at how creamy and flavorful the ice cream was. The coconut flavor was not overpowering either. I thought the ice cream would be much more "icy" and was surprised at how smooth it turned out to be. The one pint container I picked up was $4.99.... not too much more than a pint of Haagen Dazs or Ben and Jerry's.

It also comes in other fun flavors such as chocolate, chocolate peanut butter swirl, cookie dough, mint chip, mocha almond fudge, coconut, and passionate mango.

The company also makes a coconut milk yogurt which I have tried once, and loved. The downside to the yogurt though is the steep price of over $2.00 per 6 ounce cup. Well, once in awhile as a treat is ok, right?

I'm curious if anyone has a recipe for homemade coconut milk ice cream or yogurt? Has anyone attempted to make this at home? I'd love to give it a try!!!

I know what my TV snack is going to be tonight... : )

Quinoa Porridge with Fresh Fruit

I adapted this recipe from a recipe I found at Noshtopia
Here is my version:

Quinoa Porridge with Fresh Fruit

1 1/4 Cups cooked Quinoa (I used Red Inca to give it some color)
3/4 Cup cooked Amaranth
1/2 Cup cooked Millet

Information on cooking whole grains can be found at Whole Grains Council

2 Tbsp. Butter
2 Cups Vanilla Hemp Milk
3 Tbsp. Agave Nectar (you could also use honey)
2 Tbsp. Brown Rice Syrup (a nice substitute for corn syrup or sugar... but is not quite as sweet)
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Fresh Fruit ( I used Bananas and Blueberries)

1. Preheat your oven to 350.
2. Melt butter, brown rice syrup, and agave nectar (microwave or saucepan)
3. Combine melted butter, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, hemp milk, cinnamon, & vanilla, mix
4. Add quinoa, amaranth, and millet
5. Place in baking dish, cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. (my oven is off, so I had to bake mine longer....I took it out after 35 minutes, removed the foil, and baked for another 20).

Cool, and put in dessert dishes if serving for dessert, and top with a drizzle of agave nectar and fresh fruit before serving. Another great way is warm with a drizzle of heavy cream and fresh fruit.

We ate this for breakfast, a great way to start out your day, with whole grains, fiber and lots of protein. Yum!

I don't know how to put pictures on the computer yet, but when I figure it out (hopefully soon) I will start posting pictures.