Reducing food waste is a popular theme these days. According to recent studies, about 40 percent of the food purchased in the United States gets tossed, leading to wasted time, energy and resources for both cook and farmer.

Here’s a simple recipe I made that’s a good example of using an ingredient that’s about to go bad, from Mother Nature Network.

Two-Ingredient Ice Cream

Almost too simple to be true: You can turn ripe bananas into soft ice cream.

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking directions

Peel bananas and cut into 1-inch sections.

Place in a zip-top bag and freeze for several hours, until solid. Blend bananas in batches in a food processor.

Process until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.

Add peanut butter (and vanilla if desired) and process about 1 minute.

Eat immediately for soft serve.

Or place container in freezer for 30 minutes, until ice cream hardens.