Spring is coming to an end here in Arizona and it looks like the 100+ degree days are here to stay. Summer is the most dreaded time of year for me living here. While most people in other states look forward to the warm lazy summer days filled with outdoor activities, BBQ’s, walking outside barefoot, I have thoughts of 3rd degree burns from my seat belt touching my skin, 90 degree temperatures at night, and swimming in a pool that feels like warm bath water. However, before this most joyous season of the year begins I will escape to San Diego for a long weekend with my husband as I run my 5th marathon and enjoy some relaxation on the beach. One of the things I am most excited for this weekend is a stop at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream Shop for an amazing sundae! That alone will help me get through the last few painful miles of the marathon! Since we are on the subject of ice cream, I recently received this ice cream maker from my husband on my birthday. I love this thing! Since I got it I have made vanilla ice cream and just last weekend strawberry chocolate chip frozen yogurt.

The frozen yogurt turned out perfect! It was so refreshing to have this healthy dessert on a warm day. The great thing about it is that it is a treat you can eat without feeling guilty at all.

Can you believe that there are only four ingredients plus the addition of the chocolate chips in this?! To make this delicious treat I used my favorite brand of non fat plain Greek yogurt, Fage. I swear I use this stuff in everything. I used it in my curry chicken salad boats, my whole wheat strawberry banana bread, and my salmon salad stuffed tomatoes, just to name a few. I also used two cups of fresh strawberries, which I pureed in my blender and then strained to get out the seeds, vanilla bean paste, and to sweeten the dessert I simply used honey.

The chocolate chips I used were Ghirardelli Bittersweet and they added the perfect amount of chocolate flavor to the frozen yogurt. I love the combination of chocolate and strawberries, they truly were meant for each other. I found that because there is virtually no fat in this frozen yogurt aside from the chocolate chips, it tends to freeze rather hard. If you prefer your frozen yogurt softer I suggest eating it immediately after it is finished in the ice cream maker, or letting it sit out on the counter for 10-15 after taking it out of the freezer. However you decide to eat it I’m almost certain you will enjoy this healthy frozen treat! Since it is so healthy go ahead and have that second bowl!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt

Yield: 4-6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 2 cups non fat plain Greek yogurt (I used Fage)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, pureed and strained
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 t. vanilla bean paste
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, chopped

Instructions

1. Wash and hull the strawberries and cut them into large chunks.
2. Add the strawberries to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Push the strawberry puree through a strainer to remove the seeds. (you can skip this step if seeds don't bother you)
4. In a blender add the Greek yogurt, strawberry puree, honey, and vanilla bean paste; blend until smooth.
5. Pour the yogurt mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the ice cream makers instructions (Be sure that the bowl of your ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours).
6. Add in the chocolate chips when there is about 5 minutes to go in the ice cream maker.
7. Serve the frozen yogurt immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Notes

Since this frozen yogurt is fat free it will freeze hard. Let it set out on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.