Ice dream

We just love a good frappucino. When we were travelling, we'd crave them. When we found a Starbucks in the deepest, darkest places, we felt overwhelmed by the desire. We had to have one. Must have been the familiarity; the reminder of civilisation as we once knew it. And the heat!

We used to sit outside a gorgeous cafe in Lecce, Southern Italy under umbrellas shading the mid day sun - sipping homemade iced almond and hazelnut milk topped with chocolate shavings.

Here's our homemade versions.....all taste and wholesome goodness but none of the compromise.

To make at home, this is what we use..

* 1 large cup cold milk - this could be raw nut (almond, hazelnut etc), hemp or soya milk shop bought or homemade or dairy variety
* 2 cups ice
* plus individual flavourings of our choice....

- Dollop of homemade caramel (Lily's favourite - caramel cream)
- Spoons of cacao and coffee in tiny amount of boiling water with full fat cow's milk (dad's favourite - mocha)
- Large handful of organic strawberries with oat milk (Ella's fav - strawberries and cream)

- Spoon of fair trade organic drinking chocolate (for Indy)

- Spoon of homemade nutella made with hazelnuts and raw cacao and almond or hemp milk (for Laurie)

* Sweetening to taste - lucuma powder, honey, maple syrup, stevia
* Pinch of xanthan gum to blend or alternatively add some ground golden flax seeds.

Place these in a superduper blender (ours is a vitamix) and push the button, flick the switch. It might need a little help from a spatula.

Pour into a tall glass and top off with organic whipped cream or raw cashew cream and a sprinkling of raw cacao powder.....yummy

(it was a boiling hot day and the ice melted way too quickly!!)

We usually have a bottle of dairy free nut, seed or oat milk already made in the fridge. It is so easy to make and so convenient. You even freeze the milk into cubes and use instead of ice.

Visit our friend at my pure pantry or see here for almond milk You Tube tutorial. Alternatively there are many dairy free milks now available on supermarket shelves, at the local healthfood store and on line.

Enjoy whole hearted... knowing you are nourishing yourself xx