A wonderfully creamy, naturally sweet, and refreshingly pure treat perfect for warm days or whenever you desire a wholesome dessert. This recipe uses only Satwik ingredients, promoting peace and clarity while delighting your taste buds.

Yields: Approximately 3-4 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes + soaking time (min 4 hours) + freezing time (min 4 hours)
Blend time: 5-10 minutes

Ingredients:

• Mangoes: 2 large, ripe, sweet mangoes (preferably Alphonso, Kesar, or similar fragrant variety), peeled, pit removed, and chopped into roughly 1-inch cubes
• Coconut Milk: 1 cup (240ml) full-fat coconut milk (canned recommended for richness; ensure it’s well-shaken or blended if separated)
• Cashews: ¼ cup (approx. 35g) raw, unsalted cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours (or overnight) in water, then drained and rinsed thoroughly. For a quick soak, cover with boiling water for 30 minutes.
• Sweetener: 2 tablespoons date syrup OR finely grated/powdered jaggery (adjust to taste based on mango sweetness)
• Flavor: 1 teaspoon ground cardamom powder (ensure it’s fresh for best aroma)
• Optional Flavor Enhancer: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (ensure it’s alcohol-free if adhering strictly to Sattvic principles)

Equipment:

• High-speed blender (preferred for smoothest texture) or a good quality standard blender
• Freezer-safe container with a lid (loaf pan, airtight container)
• Spatula

Detailed Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cashews

• Place the ¼ cup of raw cashews in a small bowl.
• Cover them completely with fresh water.
• Let them soak for at least 4 hours at room temperature, or ideally, overnight in the refrigerator.
• Quick Soak Option: If short on time, cover the cashews with boiling water and let them sit for 30-60 minutes until softened.
• Once soaked, drain the water thoroughly and rinse the cashews well under fresh running water. This removes phytic acid and ensures a cleaner taste.

Step 2: Prepare and Freeze the Mango

• Wash, peel, and remove the pit from your ripe mangoes.
• Chop the mango flesh into roughly 1-inch cubes. Taste a piece – the sweeter the mango, the less additional sweetener you might need.
• Spread the mango cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (this prevents them from sticking together in one large clump).
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the mango cubes are frozen solid.

Step 3: Blend the Base

• In your high-speed blender, combine the drained and rinsed soaked cashews, the full-fat coconut milk, your chosen sweetener (date syrup or jaggery), cardamom powder, and the optional vanilla extract.
• Blend on medium-high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. There should be absolutely no grittiness from the cashews. This might take 1-2 minutes depending on your blender. Scrape down the sides with a spatula if needed.

Step 4: Blend the Ice Cream

• Add the frozen mango cubes to the blender with the creamy base mixture.
• Start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing the speed. Use your blender’s tamper tool (if it has one) to push the frozen mango down towards the blades.
• Continue blending until the mixture is thick, smooth, and resembles soft-serve ice cream. Be careful not to over-blend, as the friction can start to melt the mixture. Stop as soon as it’s smooth and well combined.
• Taste the mixture at this point. If you desire more sweetness, add a little more date syrup or jaggery and blend briefly again.

Step 5: Freeze (Two Options)

• Option A: Serve Immediately (Soft-Serve Style)
  • If you love a soft-serve texture, you can serve the ice cream straight from the blender. Scoop it into bowls immediately.
• Option B: Freeze for Scoopable Ice Cream
  • Transfer the blended ice cream mixture into your freezer-safe container.
  • Smooth the top with a spatula.
  • Cover the container tightly with a lid or plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the ice cream (this helps prevent ice crystals).
  • Place the container in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
  • Optional Creaminess Boost: For an even creamier texture, you can take the container out after 2 hours and give the ice cream a vigorous stir, then return it to the freezer.

Step 6: Serve

• If the ice cream has frozen very hard, let the container sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
• Scoop into bowls and enjoy! Garnish with a sprinkle of cardamom, a few chopped pistachios or almonds (Sattvic nuts), or a small mint leaf if desired.

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Tips for Success:

• Mango Quality is Key: Use sweet, ripe, and non-fibrous mangoes for the best flavor and texture. The natural sweetness of the mango reduces the need for added sugar.
• Full-Fat Coconut Milk: Don’t substitute with light coconut milk; the fat content is crucial for a creamy, ice-cream-like consistency without dairy. Chilling the can beforehand can sometimes help with creaminess.
• Thoroughly Soaked Cashews: Ensure cashews are well-soaked and rinsed. This is vital for achieving that ultra-smooth texture.
• Don’t Skip Freezing the Mango: Using frozen mango chunks is what creates the instant “ice cream” texture when blended, requiring less freezing time afterward.
• High-Speed Blender Recommended: While possible with a standard blender, a high-speed blender (like Vitamix or Blendtec) will give you the smoothest, creamiest results, especially when breaking down the frozen mango and cashews. If using a standard blender, you might need to stop and scrape down sides more often, or add a tiny splash more coconut milk if it struggles (but be cautious not to make it too thin).
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mangoes and the final blend (before the final freeze) to adjust the sweetener level perfectly to your preference.
• Prevent Ice Crystals: Pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before putting the lid on helps minimize air contact and prevent excessive iciness during the final freeze.

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Conclusion:

Enjoy this delightful Sattvic Vegan Mango Ice Cream, a treat that nourishes both body and soul. It’s a pure, refreshing, and incredibly flavorful dessert made with wholesome ingredients, perfectly aligned with a peaceful and balanced lifestyle. Free from refined sugars and dairy, yet wonderfully creamy and satisfying, it’s proof that healthy eating can be absolutely delicious! Share this guilt-free indulgence with loved ones and savor the taste of pure, sweet sunshine.