Dreamy Date Orange Ice Cream

I have always loved dates since I was a child.  My Mom used to put those coconut date rolls that you buy at the natural foods stores in my lunch for dessert, and I thought they were yummy!  Which is surprising because I disliked many things considered "health food"  as a kid, usually favoring sugary sweets!  But date's are nature's candy, so sweet gooey and caramelly on their own if you get the good fresh Medjool variety with the pit still in it.  I could sit and eat a whole container, every time I use them in a dessert, while I stand there pitting them, I am always snacking on them so they never all make it into the finished product. 

So when I was feeling like making ice cream earlier this week, I decided to include delicious dates!  I also had some date syrup I had won in a contest that I wanted to try using.  It is simply dates, and I thought it would be the perfect way to sweeten my ice cream!  I added some orange to my ice cream as well, since citrus pairs so well with dates, and oranges are plentiful right now. 

The ice cream was delicious!  Pure essence of date, enhanced slightly by tart citrus notes and light vanilla!  It would be perfect with some cardamom shortbread or with a vanilla cake! I simply enjoyed a bit of it plain topped with some oranges.  Here is the recipe if you would like to experience some for yourself! 

Dreamy Date Orange Ice Cream

Makes 4 cups

Ice Cream:
3 cups organic full fat coconut milk, chilled
1 cup pitted medjool dates
3/4 cup organic date syrup*
1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp orange extract
juice of one orange
2 Tbsp orange zest
1/4 tsp sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender, and process until well blended.  Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and process according to package directions (mine takes about an hour, and is still a little soupy like the consistency of a malt, but firms up in the freezer later). Once processed, mix in poppyseeds until evenly distributed.  Pour into freezable container with a lid, and place in the freezer for at least a few hours, or overnight to firm up for best results.

You can find Organic date syrup online at: Organics Are For Everyone:
http://www.organicsareforeveryone.com/