American Pie

By Linda Garretson

It’s July and the time for cooling summer foods, outdoor meals and 4th of July parties. When I think of those parties I picture strawberry shortcake—red and white. But where is our patriotism without the blue?

Determined to make Betsy Ross proud, I adapted recipes from two of my favorite cookbooks and created this truly “American Pie” with all the colors of our flag…well, sort of. Nature doesn’t provide us much in the way of blue foods. When blueberries are subjected to the blades of a blender they turn purplish. And, quite frankly, strawberries can also turn a little pinkish. Purists might want to garnish the pie with some fresh local berries for added color. 

This could also be called a “Nice Cream” cake. Nice cream describes plant-based ice cream; it eliminates the less healthy fats, salt and refined sugars found in dairy ice creams. Natural fruits are sweet enough, but dates and bananas go a long way to satisfying any sweet tooth. Here’s to summer and a real “American Pie.” 

American Pie

Ingredients:

White (bottom) layer
2 cups raw cashews, soaked 4-8 hours 
  and rinsed
2 overripe bananas, cut into 1” pieces 
  and frozen
1 cup pitted and chopped medjool dates
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened soymilk

Blue layer

2 cups fresh blueberries, frozen
1+ cup unsweetened soymilk
1 cup raw walnuts

Red layer

4 overripe bananas, cut into 1” pieces 
  and frozen
2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
  and frozen
2 tbsp. almond butter
1 tsp. almond or vanilla extract

Method:

White layer:

Place cashews, bananas, dates and vanilla in blender. Add 1/4 cup or less of soymilk; blend until smooth. Spread the mixture into a 9” spring form pan. Cover and freeze for at least two hours.

Blue layer:

Blend blueberries, soymilk and walnuts until smooth. Using a spatula, spread the blueberry mixture over the frozen white layer. Cover and freeze.

Red layer:

Blend bananas, almond butter, strawberries and vanilla; process until smooth. Spread on top of the blue layer and freeze.

To serve, use a knife dipped in hot water to slice into desired sizes. For fun, place a sparkler atop each slice and serve for 4th of July or any patriotic party. Serves 8-10.

Note: Thanks to Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai and Dr. Michael Greger for their inspiration, proof that doctors can create delicious and healthy recipes.