Monday, 19 May 2014

Pina Colada Inspired Ice-Blocks

Pina Colada Ice-Blocks (Vegan, Sugar Free)

I know that it might seem a little odd to be indulging in ice-blocks when it is so cold out, but once you try these delicious, healthy treats you will understand. Besides, it’s never too cold for ice blocks anyway! Oh, and I should also mention that they are very soothing on a sore throat!



Serves: 9 (makes about 9 ice blocks)

Ingredients:
½ x a ripe pineapple, peeled and diced
3 x limes- rind and juice
1 x 400ml tin of coconut cream (mine was 75% coconut extract)
1 x teaspoon of natural rum flavoring (optional)

Method:
1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour ingredients in to ice-block moulds and insert the ice-block sticks.
3. Gently and carefully, tap the moulds on the bench to remove any air bubbles in the mixture.
4. Place moulds in freezer, on a flat surface, over night or for at least 8 hours.
5. When you are sure that your ice blocks are fully frozen, gently run the moulds under warm water before gently easing them out of the moulds.



HINTS:
- My ice blocks had a strong pineapple flavour (which I loved), but you can always play around with the ratio of the ingredients until it is to your liking.
- I purchased my ice block moulds from Kmart for around $4
- If the treats don’t release easily, run them under the warm water again until they loosen. Trying to force them out could result in the stick become dislodged from the ice block, therefore making it not only hard to remove, but also difficult to eat!



Nutritional Benefits:

Pineapple contains:
-         -  ‘Potential anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits’ due to bromelain
-          - Vitamin c
-         -  ‘Manganese and thiamin (vitamin B1) for energy production and antioxidant defenses’
                                                                   (The George Mateljan Foundation, 2014)

Limes contain:
-          - Vitamin c
-          - ‘Phytonutrients with antioxidant and antibiotic Effects’ e.g. It can help the immune system fight off cholera. ‘Researchers quickly began to experiment with the addition of lime juice to the sauce eaten with rice, and in this role, lime juice was also found to have a strong protective effect against cholera.’
-         -  Limoniods: ‘In animal studies and laboratory tests with human cells, compounds in citrus fruits, including lemons and limes, called limonoids have been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.’
                                                                                                (The George Mateljan Foundation, 2014)

Coconuts contain:
-         -  ‘Fibre, vitamins C, E, B1, B3, B5 and B6 and minerals including iron, selenium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous’ (Lewin, N.d).

References
11.     The George Mateljan Foundation. (2014). Lemon/limes. Retrieved May 19, 2014 from http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=27#healthbenefits

22.      The George Mateljan Foundation. (2014). Pineapple. Retreived May 19, 2014 from http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=34

33.       Lewin., J. (N.d). The health benefits of... coconut milk. Retrieved May 19, 2014 from http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-coconut-milk


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