Friday, August 12, 2011

Banilla Smoothie


Last week I talked about a way to freeze and store fruit, to have it on hand for making smoothies. Today, I'm sharing one of my favorite ways to use some of that frozen fruit...namely, bananas! I don't know about you...but, in our house, if there's one fruit that goes from ripe to over-ripe faster than any other, it's bananas.
But, ever since discovering this recipe, having over-ripe bananas has been a happy occasion. It means that there will always be a constant supply of frozen banana chunks in the freezer for making this smoothie.
Along with the smoothie bag making discussion...I also talked about how smoothie obsessed my two boys have been in recent months. They've always loved them. But, the obsession took over shortly after our regular blender crapped out and I purchased this system as a replacement. It's a compact blender that comes with four plastic smoothie glasses and lids. You fill the glass with your smoothie ingredients, twist the blade attachment over the glass...then blend away. It's super easy...even for a child to use, and safer than a traditional blender. I've seen them sold in many places, but this online store has them in a bunch of great colors!
The recipe for this smoothie came from a little book I got from my DH for my 30th birthday {which was more years ago than I'd care to think about}. At the time, I had a 2 year old & a newborn and happened to be in the midst of my own smoothie phase. I used the book for a while...but, since the phase ended, it's sat collecting dust. My older son has taken quite a liking to the book nowadays. I love seeing him {every morning} with his little black book of smoothies, deciding what the day's blend will be...then gathering up all the ingredients he can find, measuring them, and whipping himself up some breakfast.
It's bittersweet that my son is now old enough to fix himself breakfast...more so, one that doesn't simply involve pouring some cereal and milk in a bowl! For all of you mother's of babies and toddlers out there...it actually does get easier...and, yes, it does go by in a blink of an eye.

To make this smoothie you'll need one frozen banana. As mentioned above, I usually have sliced chunks of bananas at the ready in my freezer.

One banana equals approximately 5-1" chunks. Add the frozen chunks to a blender, along with 3/4 cup vanilla flavored almond milk {or, the milk of your choice},

2 tablespoons of agave nectar,

3/4 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Blend until smooth.

Divide between two glasses {or one, if you're feeling hungry}...

and serve.

Banilla Smoothie

Adapted from The Little Black Book of Smoothies, by Ruth Cullen
Serves 1-2
The original version of this recipe calls for using non-fat milk. But, I like making smoothies with almond or soy milk...as I prefer the way they taste. You can use whichever is your preference. I've tried making this smoothie with almond, soy, 2% and whole milk...and they're all great!

3/4 cup vanilla almond milk {or milk of choice}
1 whole frozen banana, cut into 1" chunks
3/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons agave nectar

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve!
Click here for the printable recipe.

13 comments:

nancy@skinnykitchen.com said...

Sounds so delish and healthy!

LMBrown said...

Yummy! Just in time, I have the perfect bananas to make this today!

katie said...

Lauren-Penny will love this! So will you :) xo-k

Anonymous said...

good protein sources from yogurt and almond milk. and add 1/4 cup of vodka for an excellent adult smoothie!

Joanne said...

I see this being my new post long run snack! Potassium and some good protein all in one!

Lauren H. said...

Oh my goodness Katie, I am dying with laughter over here. I clicked on the link to see the blender and on top of the page was a vita mix blender for $599 and I thought "is she INSANE?!" I mean, I know you love your kitchen paraphernalia, but that's just nuts. Then I scrolled down and saw the one you MEANT for us to see!! And that one I may have to get!

katie said...

lol Lauren. I actually do not own a Vitamix, as much as I do love my kitchen gadgets!
I hope you get the blender. It's not going to tackle a batch of margaritas for 8 people...or even 6 probably. But, it's great for the kids!

Jackie said...

mmmm! just made this tonight and both me and my husband loved it :) added in a touch of cinnamon and some rolled oats too.

Lauren H. said...

Just took another look and the black one is on sale for $50. As much as I love a little color, I'm pretty tempted to get that one and save $20 :)

Lauren H. said...

Oh wait...of course it says "unavailable" :(

Lauren H. said...

Ok, last upadate, if anyone is reading this...the other ones offer a $20 rebate so they are also $50.

Anonymous said...

This was delicious! I added a handful of strawberries and used 1% milk along with only 1 TB agave. Thanks for the idea!

Whitney said...

I make this type of smoothie, too! I use a hazelnut agave nectar and it is so delicious. I use unsweetened almond milk and add cinnamon. YUM!

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