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Recipe Mon Oct 08 2007
Frozen Bananas replace Ice Cream in Shakes
Frozen bananas arguably make a shake from what would otherwise be a cold smoothie. On hot sweaty days that bring fantasies of an endless crisp fall, I think of such frozen drinks - the thick type that leaves your mouth and throat well chilled. I created the recipes below when it had been very hot - when the toothpaste in my un-air-conditioned bathroom turned as warm as a fresh baked pie; when I'd replenished myself with four pints of water in some two minutes; and when I'd smell of the ginger spray I use after bicycling to work. That is when a shake makes its best appearance. Here are some of my favorites.
One key is to use enough soymilk to blend all ingredients smoothly together, but not so much as to dilute the thickness. This usually ends up being just a little more soy than needed to cover up everything in the blender. Try a bit less than you think you'll need, and add more if required.
In the recipes with nuts, blend just nuts and soymilk before other ingredients to make the shake as smooth as possible.
Blending in frozen bananas imparts a rich and cold shake-like creaminess. Peel and slice bananas, then freeze them in an airtight container, preferably at least two days before you'll want to use them. In a pinch, you can use ice with a non-frozen banana instead, but you'll get more of an icy smoothie that's less than a shake.
Pistachio Cardamom Shake Recipe
1 handful roasted and salted pistachios
2 shakes of ground cardamom
1 handful of frozen banana slices (about 1 banana)
Soymilk
Possible deviation: use green tea (chilled) instead of soymilk.
Spicy Cocoa Banana Shake Recipe
1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 to 2 shakes of cayenne powder
1 handful of frozen banana slices (about 1 banana)
Soymilk
Possible deviation: add soy yogurt, omit cayenne, or substitute almonds for peanut butter. Also, add one-half shot of crème de cacao and/or crème de banane.
Orange Cashew Shake Recipe
1/2 shot of orange or chocolate-orange liquor
1 handful cashews
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 handful of frozen banana slices (about 1 banana)
Soymilk
Possible deviation: add freshly ground black pepper.
Yield: about one serving.
meleah / October 8, 2007 7:33 PM
Damn, these sound like some pretty high class shakes! Yum! Can't wait to try the recipes + variations.