How to make a healthy banana split with frozen yogurt

The fibre in bananas, both soluble and insoluble, helps to protect the body against bowel cancer, stabilize blood glucose levels, and lower harmful blood cholesterol. Bananas also contain vitamin B6, important for making red blood cells and breaking down protein and fats.Ripe bananas are great energy boosters. and with their low to moderate glycemic index (GI), provide a sustained energy supply. Full of essential potassium, bananas can help to regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of a stroke. Here's a great way to add the many benefits of bananas to your diet with a super sweet banana split.

Preparation 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling

Cooking 5 minutes

Freezing 5 hours

Serves 4

Iced yogurt

• 75 g (1/3 c) superfine sugar
• 620 g (2 3/4 c) full-fat plain yogurt
• 2 g (1/2 tsp) vanilla extract

Purée

• 400 g (1 1/3 c) fresh raspberries
• 50 g (1/4 c) superfine sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon

To serve

• 4 ripe bananas
• 300 g (1 1/3 c) fresh raspberries
• 60 g (4 tbsp) chopped almonds

1. To make the iced yogurt, dissolve 75 grams (1/3 cup) superfine sugar in 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) hot water in a pot for five minutes over low heat. Remove from heat and cool for 30 minutes.

2. Combine this syrup with full-fat plain yogurt and vanilla extract. Freeze in an ice-cream maker following manufacturer's directions, or transfer to a covered plastic container and freeze for at least five hours, removing every hour and beating to prevent ice crystals from forming.

3. In a blender or food processor, blend 300 grams (1 1/3 cups) fresh raspberries with 50 grams (1/4 cup) superfine sugar and the juice of one lemon. Strain the purée through a fine-meshed sieve to remove seeds, stirring in 15 millilitres (one tablespoon) of water to thin slightly, if necessary.

4. Peel four ripe bananas, halve them lengthwise and arrange in four dishes. Top each banana with a scoop of frozen yogurt, 75 grams (1/3 cup) fresh raspberries, 15 grams (one tablespoon) chopped almonds and 30 grams (two tablespoons) of the purée.

• If short on time, use prepared raspberry coulis and store-bought frozen yogurt or ice cream.
• For a big vanilla boost, try vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract.
• To make your own superfine sugar, simply spin granulated sugar in a blender or food processor.

Nutritional information: 410 calories • 6 g fat • 3 g saturated fat • 81 g carbohydrates • 13 g protein • 4 g fibre