Chocolate Mint N'ice Cream

Bob worked until around 8:00 PM tonight holding night hearings, so we did not have a Valentine's Day Dinner tonight. However, this is a little something that I whipped up for Bob and I to have this evening after he got home from work.

Chocolate Mint N'ice Cream
(makes about 2 cups)

2 ripe bananas
2 medool dates, pitted
1 Tbsp. raw almond butter
1/3 cup raw cacao powder
2 drops creme de menthe flavoring (or fresh mint)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (or vanilla bean)
water - enough to blend into a thick smoothie consistency

Blend all of the ingredients until smooth and freeze. If you freeze it until it is completely solid, you will need to let it thaw for about a half an hour before stirring it by hand and scooping it into your dishes.

Minty Pear Sensation

I originally made the recipe with one each of three pears, Bartlett, Red Anjou and Brown Asian. The Asian Pear had a crisp texture and a pleasant, almost spicy flavor. The Bartlett was a fine example of a pear. Good pear flavor and juiciness. The Red Anjou was a bit of a disappointment to me. Though, by far, the prettiest of the pears... it's flavor was rather bland for me, and it was not at all sweet. Therefore the below recipe replaces the Red Anjou with a second Bartlett (or use a Red Bartlett). You could also try replacing one of the pears with two Seckel Pears which are very sweet.

Minty Pear Sensation
(makes about 4 cups)

2 Bartlett Pears
1 Brown Asian Pear
2 or 3 sprigs of mint
enough Apple (or Pear) Juice to blend
1 T light Raw Agave Nectar*

Whip up everything except the Agave Nectar in the blender. Do a little taste test. If the pears were sweet enough for you, go to the next step. If it tastes like it needs a little something, add the Agave and blend again. Place in dessert bowls and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour. Decorate with additional mint leaves if desired.

NOTE: I initially made this up as a smoothie, but I put a small dessert bowl of it in the fridge to see what would happen and Bob and I agree it makes a really refreshing little dessert. If you do want a smoothie, though, just add more liquid.