What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Splurge-Worthy Goodness: Vanilla Bee Pollen Ice Cream! What’s all the “buzz” about? The jury is still out on the benefits of bee pollen. Some claim amazing health results while others blame it for side effects. Bee pollen is actually intensified plant pollen picked up by honeybees and brought back to the hive as a source of food for the colony. So obviously, its characteristics depend solely on the geographic location of where it is collected. Just like honey, some say if you struggle with seasonal allergies, the best way to combat that is to take a teaspoon of raw honey every day from the area where you live. Bee pollen is made up of carbs, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You can certainly see why naturalists call it a superfood. As with any herbal supplement, contact your health care provider before beginning something new. Many foodies like to add a teaspoon of bee pollen to their morning smoothie. Here it is sprinkled over no-churn ice cream.
VANILLA BEE POLLEN ICE CREAM
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 vanilla bean pod, sliced horizontally, seeds extracted
2 tablespoons raw honey
1 teaspoon bee pollen
Agave nectar, for drizzling
Lemon thyme, for garnish
Instructions:
Be sure the mixing bowl, whisk, and loaf pan are chilled before using. (I placed mine in the freezer overnight. If the ingredients are warm, the mixture won’t thicken to desired texture. I also put the can of sweetened condensed milk in the refrigerator the night before.) In the chilled bowl of the stand mixer, combine heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla bean seeds, and raw honey. Whip on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the chilled loaf pan. Freeze 6 hours or overnight. To serve, place three rounded ice cream scoops in a dish. Sprinkle bee pollen over top. Drizzle with agave nectar ribbons. Garnish with a sprig of lemon thyme.
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I bought a jar of bee pollen a couple months ago and have been afraid to use it because of the side effects. Sprinkling on top of ice cream can’t hurt 🙂
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I agree. Less is more. I don’t take it every day for the reason you mentioned. But sprinkled on ice cream, it’s perfect. 🍂🍨🐝
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Thanks for the suggestion as I don’t like to buy anything and not use it. I have 10 months until expiration date and a lot of ice cream to eat LOL
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Ice cream recipe sounds great. Might give the bee pollen a miss.
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That’s fine. The ice cream is amazing all by itself. 💕🍨
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Please do not steal the pollen from the bees.LOl Honestly looks fantastic, and after reading the recipe a “must have”. Thank you, Gail! You always have surprising ideas. Enjoy your week! Michael
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I got the bee pollen from a beekeeper at the farmers market. It’s golden, that’s for sure. 🍂🐝
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Thats right, Gail! Was only a little joke. As i remember the old Egypts – Cleopatra – had used pollen for better health. Michael
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I don’t think I’ve ever added bee pollen to anything or even knew you could cook with it.
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Funny story, Chris. We have pine trees that “puff” with clouds of yellow pollen from the cone buds in the Spring. I harvested the nutrient-rich powder and put it in little jars. Herbal enthusiasts in my town view it as a “superfood”. 💛💫
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How interesting.
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Unheard of bee pollen, I would like to check this out in here, and the ice cream looks so tempting.
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There’s a lot of information to digest on it. 👀🍂
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I’ve never used bee pollen, but your no-churn ice cream looks amazing! 🙂
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The ice cream recipe is a basic one filled with a world of possibilities. 🌎🍃
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Here I only buy honey from LOCAL beekeepers! And I mean LOCAL to me, within a 5-mile radius from home. The bees might even have been foraging in my garden! 🤣 😋😋😋
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I understand that is the best way to combat allergies, one teaspoon a day. 🍃🐝
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Exactly! I looked into beekeeping when I retired but didn’t take it up as our garden is very small. Best just to plant lots of pollinator-friendly plants. I will also put up some bee-nest boxes next year to encourage solitary bees. 😊
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You are a champion, that’s for sure.
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Perfectly presented.. I too made your mincemeat loaf.. so delicious I got a shortbread cake recipe and made an upsidedown cake with the rest.. OMW that waistline.. 😉
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Thank you, Lisa. Isn’t that Mincemeat Quick Bread incredible? Who knew? Thanks for trying out the recipe. 👏🍃🙏🏻
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Honey ice cream… yum!
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It takes sweetness to a whole new level. 🌟✨💫
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What wonderful words to describe it.
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I love honey and this just looks like the . . . yes, bees knees.
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You nailed it. Sweet and good!! 🍃🐝🍨
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I’ve never cooked with bee pollen! Sounds like a total necessity now!
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Def worth the wait. 🍃🐝
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Such a interesting idea using bee pollen.
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Sprinkle it on. 😋🍃🐝
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