Cool Summer Treats

Being gluten-free is easier in the summertime with all of the fresh fruit available.  I try not to turn on the oven in the hot weather, and we enjoy more cold snacks and desserts.  I look for recipes in the summertime that are healthy, simple and fresh.  I have been making smoothies, homemade ice cream, slushes, and the occasional almond flour baked good.

If I bake during the summertime, I try to cook with almond flour or coconut flour because they are lower in carbohydrates.  Almond flour is high in calcium, protein and fiber. Even though almonds are higher in fat,  they can actually increase weight loss and reduce cholesterol.

Strawberry Shortcakes

This is a classic summertime dessert.  I used these wonderful almond flour biscuits from Elana's Pantry.  You could top them with regular whipped cream.  For a dairy free whipped coconut cream:

• Refrigerate a can of Thai Kitchen coconut milk overnight.  
• Then scrape the cream out of the can (save the liquids for a smoothie later).  
• Whip the cream with a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup and a teaspoon of vanilla. 
•  Top with sweet garden strawberries for an amazing dessert!

*Elana's Pantry also has the most amazing almond flour Breakfast Bars.  Everyone who tries them asks where the recipe can be found, so I am linking it in this post!

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Creamsicles used to be my favourite summertime treat.  Here is a recipe for a dairy free Orange Creamsicle Smoothie by The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen.  I use purchased almond milk (or you could use another type of dairy free milk) in the recipe, and I add some frozen mango to make the smoothie thicker and more orange coloured.  You can also substitute some of the milk in the smoothie for plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt.

Peach Melba

Peach Melba is my mom's favourite summer dessert.  We now make a version that is simple and fresh.

• Use about half a peach or nectarine per person or dessert bowl.  Cut it into slices. 
•  If you can have dairy, top the peach slices with a good quality purchased vanilla ice cream.  You can also buy dairy free coconut milk ice cream or make your own.  I make my own dairy free vanilla bean ice cream, made with coconut milk.  
• Then for the raspberry topping, you can use a purchased frozen raspberry sauce or make your own.  I like a fresh raspberry sauce made using the blender instead of cooking the raspberries.  Just puree a cup of raspberries with 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of agave syrup.  This raspberry sauce is based on a recipe from Ani's Raw Food Desserts by Ani Phyo.

Ice Cream Sandwiches

My blender and my ice cream maker are my favourite kitchen appliances in the summer!  It is so easy to create great flavours of ice cream that are dairy free and sugar free.  I make a variety of ice cream flavours (like cherry chocolate chip) to make yummy ice cream sandwiches.  Kelly from The Spunky Coconut has a great recipe for cookies made with almond flour to make ice cream sandwiches.  She also has some creative ice cream recipes and a book about making dairy free ice cream. 

Strawberry-Lime Daiquiris

For a more adult treat, we use the ice cream maker to make daiquiris that are sugar-free and healthier than the purchased mixes.  This recipe is based on one from the recipe booklet that came with our Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker.

1 cup fresh (with tops removed) or frozen strawberries

2 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup agave syrup

1/2 cup lime juice

1/2 cup light rum

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into an ice cream maker and mix for about 20 -25 minutes or until the mixture becomes slushy.  Serve immediately.  Makes 3- 4 servings.