January 14, 2016

Chocolate banana smoothie

Do you smoothie?  I mean...do you make/drink smoothies regularly?  It's not something I've gotten on the bandwagon of though I've seen many tempting versions of them.  But today, I'm tiptoeing into the smoothie world with this 3-ingredient chocolate banana smoothie that's right up my alley.
It doesn't get any simpler, easier than this so this smoothie is perfect for a beginner like me.  Three ingredients: a banana, a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, and skim milk.  Just blend it up!
I was inspired to make this when I flipped through the current issue of Food Network magazine and saw it mentioned in the January calendar.  Something that doesn't even require a recipe - just a basic instruction to blend 3 ingredients up - totally appealed to me.  Since I eat a banana essentially everyday as a mid-morning snack, I thought I could change things up, swap out my morning frappuccino, and use my blender for this instead.
Can I tell you...I'm a little surprised by how much I liked this!  I literally whipped it up this very morning for breakfast with some toast (that's how fast this is - you can make and blog about it instantly).  It really tasted like a treat.  The one tablespoon of cocoa powder added so much chocolate flavor and the banana provides the natural sweetener you need.  Yes, you can taste banana but the texture is so velvety - kind of pudding like - and the flavor so rich that I really felt like I was having a milkshake. It's great just like this and surely, you could build onto it, maybe adding a spoonful of almond/peanut butter or oats and expanding it to include other fruits, if you like. 

Once again, I've determined that bananas rule.  I think I now have one more thing I have to keep in the freezer...sliced bananas, so I can whip up a smoothie whenever I want.

The one bit of advanced prep you need to make for this smoothie is to slice and freeze a banana.  As I said, I'm going to have to stock my freezer with this from now on.
For one serving, I used a medium banana.  Obviously, for more sweetness, go with a riper banana.  Mine was about middle of the road, not too ripe but not hard.  Then, you add a tablespoon of cocoa powder and about 3/4 cup of skim milk (or whatever milk you prefer).  Blend until smooth, adjusting the consistency with a little more milk if you need/prefer.  Pour it into a glass and enjoy.  I sure did! 
My son had a sip and thought it was pretty good.  I can't wait to make one for my husband; I have a feeling he'd enjoy it as much as I did.

Have a great day and enjoy the upcoming weekend!

Recipe:

Chocolate Banana Smoothie
From January/February 2016 issue, Food Network magazine

- For one serving - 

1 medium banana, sliced and frozen
3/4 cup skim milk (or other milk you prefer)
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Place all 3 ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.  If necessary, adjust with additional milk.  Pour into a glass and enjoy!


25 comments:

  1. I don't drink smoothie regularly..mostly because they are usually over loaded with fruits. But this one seems quite light yet very healthy and delicious, Monica.

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  2. I'm not a huge smoothie drinker (I love chewing on things and prefer to chew my calories) but hubby is a huuuuge smoothie drinker!

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    1. You said it, Lorraine. I am in your camp but I really enjoyed this easy little smoothie and for the sake of variety alone, it's a nice mix up. When I crave a milkshake, I know what to do now.

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  3. We love smoothies - but I always freeze my fruit so I don't have to water it down with ice. This sounds completely wonderful and I know we would enjoy it! Tasty and beautiful!

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    1. Yes! Freezing the fruit has got to be key...no need to water down the drink and make the consistency funky. : ) I really enjoyed this one and I'm sure there are tons of delicious smoothies to be had...I'm just like Lorraine (above) who loves to eat her food! ; )

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  4. I make lots of smoothie mainly during summer, not so much during cold weather...I like the idea of e ingredients...and so tasty.
    Enjoy the rest of your week Monica :)

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    1. It's nice to make truly healthy smoothies at home...you know just what you're putting in and getting out of it. Thanks for swinging by, Juliana!

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  5. I love smoothies and this combination sounds so delicious! Beautiful clicks Monica :-)

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  6. Chocolate with banana is such a winning combination! This smoothie couldn't be any easier to make, could it?! Because we try not to drink our carbs (we save the carbs for cookies!), we don't indulge too often. I love how you read a recipe in a magazine and moments later you are giving it a try! If it was me, I would tear out the recipe, then lose it before I ever had a chance to make it! ;)

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    1. I'm with you in preferring to eat my calories/carbs than drinking it but I'm trying to just mix things up a bit. I couldn't resist using my blender for something different and spotting that little 'recipe' spurred me on. It was very tasty and filing, too. : )

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  7. I am a big fan of smoothies and love this chocolate banana version! Only 3 ingredients sounds perfect to me too, my kids would slurp this down in no time :) So simple and easy! Happy Friday, Monica!

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    1. I know you could teach me so much about smoothies! Right now, this 3-ingredient type situation works for me but who knows...maybe I'll 'go crazy' and branch out further one day. : ) Have a great weekend, Kelly, and congrats on your upcoming cookbook!!!

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  8. haha as you know, I most definitely smoothie!! :) I love how simple this one is - I really don't use banana enough in smoothies! I should switch it up more often ... I have pretty much 3 smoothies that I just switch between!

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    1. Yes, your smoothies are always so pretty and not too complicated, though always thoughtful. : ) If you and others I trust like it so much, I know there's got to be something good going on! Good to hear you have 3 you stick with...so maybe it doesn't need to be that complicated...

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  9. Chocolate and banana go SO well together! This smoothie looks delicious!

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    1. Right! It's almost a no-brainer...not sure why I was so surprised I liked it so much. I guess I was afraid of that kind of frozen banana taste that is different from eating it whole/fresh. It was a treat though and I'm going to be sipping this again soon. Have a great weekend, Medha.

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  10. I could start my mornings out daily with this smoothie, love that you only used 3 ingredients Monica, looks delicious.

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    1. So easy, I had to try it and glad I did. Enjoy the weekend!

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  11. Yes I do but I have never made one with chocolate. I guess I have to show this post to my daughter.

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    1. I know I would like your chocolate-loving daughter! : )

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  12. As a matter of fact we do make smoothies very often and this recipe is one of our favorites. You feel like you are really being naughty but it is pretty healthy. Loving your bright and beautiful photos. Great lighting...!

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    1. I was lucky with good natural lighting the other morning. : ) I bet you make some inventive smoothies. This one did taste like a decadent treat...I think that's why I was so happy.

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  13. I don't make smoothies often. but yours got all the flavors that I love! :)

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