Down for some Monkey Business

     I was poking about in the freezer, searching for something to eat and saw a bag of what looks to be calamari.  I've made this mistake many times over the (we'll say months) only to realize that it is a bag of sliced frozen bananas.  Time for some Monkey Business!  You'll need:

•  
• 1 lb of frozen and sliced bananas
• 3 oz heavy whipping cream
• 10 oz nonfat Greek Yogurt
• splash of vanilla
• cinnamon to taste ( I forgot to add it, so I guess my taste was 0%)
• 5 spoonfuls of Asian cereal mix (I'll see if I can find a substitute that can be easily found by the masses)

 

     I first blent (new word for you Webster's) the banana slices to get an idea of how many I actually added so that I could tell you all exactly what to expect when expecting a banana smoothie.  I guessed a pound and it blended down to 500ml.  not really important I guess... Anyways, I suppose blend everything but the cereal and whipping cream until smooth, this might be hell on lesser blenders.  Then add the cereal, thoroughly blend, and finish by blending in the whipping cream.  Let it blend for a good while; not so long that it burns the motor, but long enough to really whip up  that crème and moisten that cereal up.  If successful you should end up with a smooth consistency of a milkshake ice cream.  A good blender will really whip up a frothy treat so long as you don't skimp out on that whipping cream. 

Manchurian Candidate

In celebration of Chinese elections, I bring unto you the Manchurian Candidate: 

• 2 cups nonfat Greek yogurt
• 3 cups  fresh strawberries
• 1 cup raspberries
• splash vanilla
• 1/3 cup Asian cereal mix (you're going to have to search your local ethnic food store for this one)
• agave to taste

 

Throw everything but the cereal mix into the blender in a manner that won't jam up the blades.  Your blender is different than my blender, so I cannot speculate as to what layering scheme will suit you best.  Get things mixed up and then start adding the cereal.  you can dump it all in, at the beginning even ,but I take no responsibility for you cutting yourself on a blade if and when you have to guide a spoon into the depths of the pitcher in an effort to dislodge compacted cereal powder.  At least the blood will blend right in with the already red Manchurian Candidate.  Should make several cups of deliciousness; serve with friends or drink it all on your own and call it breakfast. 

Concocting Concoctions like a Pro

     Perhaps some have noticed, but so far none of my concoctions involve ice.  One might think that ice is a necessary staple for any chilly blended dessert, but I disagree.  Sure ice may grant instant gratification, but what if you cannot finish your beverage in one sitting?  How it must feel to return to your concoction only to gag in dismay at the horrid taste of watered down mush.  This is why many of my recipes utilize frozen fruit.  this serves two purposes,  keeping consistency and texture to a maximum, while preventing watered down flavor.  It also serves a third purpose that may go unseen to some wielders of the blender: freezer conservation.  

     Personally, I do not have a lot of room in my freezer.  As much as I'd love a fat bucket always loaded with ice, I instead have meat, ice cream, vodka, or some other  food staple taking up space.  I don't think I've had an ice cube in my freezer in the last two to three years.   This will have to change; however, as I have a recipe in mind for an upcoming post that will require significant amounts of ice.   regardless, I tend to keep frozen fruit in my freezer rather than ice cubes, so when things start to look bleak for my fruit-bowl, into the freezer its contents go.  Gotta love damn-near alcoholic, peeled,  frozen bananas!

Breakfast, for Dinner

  Well technically, supper; considering I already had dinner.  A bit thirsty, not in the mood for water, and feeling the need to have a yellow orange product on my page, I ventured into the kitchen with smoothies on my mind.  First thing I noticed as I walk into the kitchen was a fruit bowl off to the side loaded with bananas.  Yellow it is.  I grabbed two medium sized ones and planned my attack.

Tools Required:

• A Blender
• A Drinking Straw
• A Spoon
• A Measuring Cup or a Steady Hand

Your recipe should you choose to accept it:

• 4 oz Reduced Fat Milk
• 4 oz Fat Free Plain Greek Yogurt (more protein per serving)
• 2 Medium Bananas (apx 8 oz each)
• 8 oz frozen diced mangos
• 1 Table Spoon of vanilla  (best vanilla I've ever used)

Yields 32 oz. 

  Toss everything in the blender and mix well.  The consistency will be thick and creamy, so you may need to pause periodically to push the fruit down toward the blades (make sure the blades come to a complete stop before attempting this).  While the finished product is more of an off-white than the yellow I desired, I am indeed please with the result.  The texture is a perfect blend of smooth, thick, and creamy, with a flavor that nowhere matches the color of the concoction.  The blended mangoes pack quite a punch, while the sweetness of banana leaves nothing to be desired from added sweeteners.

Breakfast of Champions

     There I was, hungry and alone.  I had to take action.  Eggs and bacon, no sir. A bowl of cereal?  not a chance, I've had enough lactose to last me a few days and I don't have any lactaid in the cabinet (yeah I'm old, sue me).  Succumbing to hunger (and laziness) I decided to blend something up; something delicious that didn't require cooking.  My key ingredient for the meal: aloe vera juice.  It's supposed to be healthy for me (not sure why) and I have the remnants of a gallon that needs to be finished off.  Alone it may taste too tangy to tollerate, but blended with an ensemble of flavors; it is delicious.

Tools Required:

• A Blender
• A Drinking Straw
• A Spoon
• A Measuring Cup or a Steady Hand

Your recipe should you choose to accept it:

• 4 oz Aloe Vera Juice
• 8 oz Fat Free Greek Yogurt (more protein per serving)
• 4 oz Hibiscus Cranberry Juice Blend [if not available, may substitute unsweetened jamaica (hibiscus) juice.]
• 6 whole fresh strawberries
• 8 oz frozen strawberries
• 8 oz frozen diced mangos
• 8 oz frozen mixed berries (blue berry, raspberry, more strawberries, etc.)
• 1-2 splashes of vanilla to tie it all together
• Sweeten to taste with agave syrup (optional)