Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) Nice Cream

This refreshing frozen dessert gets its bright, purple colour from pitaya. It’s a fun, healthy treat your family will love.

Ingredients

• 360 ml (1 ½ cups) coconut water
• 180 g (1 ¼ cups) frozen mango chunks
• 200 g (1 ½ cups) frozen pitaya (dragon fruit)
• 200 g (1 ½ cups) frozen banana

Directions

1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
2. Run the Frozen Dessert Program or start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 40 – 50 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades.
3. In about 30 – 60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form. Stop the machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.

Chef's Note

• The vibrant colour and bold taste is sure to provide a boost of energy. For more of a protein boost, add shaved coconut, cashews, chia, flax, or hemp seed as toppings. Alternatively, you can blend with soy milk or water and tofu to add protein to this bowl.
• Serve this as a wonderful treat any time of the day. Made from whole foods with no added sugars, it is one delicious snack. Here's another kid-friendly recipe with a food science lesson to go with it.  The vibrant colour of plants goes beyond being pretty; the colours actually come from specific antioxidants.  In red-fleshed dragon fruit, that antioxidant is called betalain (which helps protect our cells) and is what gives the fruit its exotic reddish-pink hue.