BANANA ICE CREAM WITH DATE CARAMEL

Bananas and dates are the best combination ever. Fact. And as we're having a bit of an Indian summer here in London at the moment, I thought I'd go down the ice cream route with them this time. Mate (!), this is the most painless dessert to make ever. So good. And it's even good for you as it's literally just bananas and dates. And a blender <3. Hooray. 

BANANA ICE CREAM WITH DATE CARAMEL

Date caramel:
Makes about 1 cup

200g (1 ¼ cups) dates, pitted

80ml (1/3 cup) water

1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice

Ice cream:

3 bananas, frozen

seeds from half a vanilla pod (optional)

First prepare the date caramel. Place the dates into a small bowl, cover with warm water and leave to soak for half an hour. Once ready, drain and place into a blender with the water and lemon juice. Pulse until completely smooth.

To make the ice cream, put the frozen bananas (and vanilla seeds if using) into a blender and blitz until they become creamy and fluffy. If you can resist the urge to eat the thing straight out of the blender, slab a spoonful (or two. Hundred) of caramel over the ice cream and top with banana chips if you like.