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. 

Back in Business

     Well After dealing with Cuisinart for the last time,  I was able to track down the retailer of the blender that exploded on me and was able to return it for store credit.  No, it wasn't Target or best Buy; their customer service is terrible, it was Macy's!  They treated me like a celebrity, even though I showed up scruffy and didn't reek of money. 

     They took care of everything and hooked me up with stackable discounts on top of my store credit I received for that Cuisinart Blender.  So what did I get with the credit?:

Why, The Ninja Kitchen System of course!

     I got the 1100 Kitchen System and so far I like it; and I've been using it for a while before boasting about it.  I'd hate to brag about how good it is and then have it burn up on me.  The only blender I've liked better than this is the Blendtec.  Since this blender does liquids and more solid concoctions like dough, I plan on delving into a little more than just the traditional smoothie in the near future. 

Stay Tuned!
 

I have a confession to make

In case you were wondering what happened to all the great smoothie recipes...long story short; my blender blew up.  Indeed, a terrible smelling cloud of smoke filled my kitchen as I was mid concoction.  I have had no luck getting Cuisinart to replace the blender even though it is still covered under factory warranty, So I am currently out of commission for the time being.  I'll keep you posted, hopefully I can get someone at Cuisinart to send me a new blender, or reimburse me so I can get a Blendtec. 

A Little Nutty

I finally used some of that coconut I had prepared earlier.  I ended up going in a different direction.  With several pounds of strawberries, I decided to make a creamy blend, or at least attempted to. 

Your Recipe, Should You Choose to Accept it:

     Scoop 1 cup of fresh coconut and add to the blender.  I let my coconut soak overnight in the fridge in a mixture of milk, cinnamon and honey.  These ingredients can be added separately to the smoothie at your taste-bud's desire.  Add 2 cups of Greek yogurt, and one frozen banana for sweetness.  Cover the concoction with 1 cup of frozen strawberries.  Top off with 2 tablespoons of vanilla bean extract.  Blend well and taste your concoction.  My concoction needed 2 glops of blackberry honey and it was just right. 

 Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 cup of fresh coconut with juice
• 1 cup Frozen Strawberries
• 1 Frozen Ripe Bananas
• 2 tablespoons of Vanilla Bean Extract
• cinnamon to taste
• Honey to taste
• 1 ounce of milk (used for storing coconut, can be added to reach desired smoothie thickness)

Yields 40 ounces containing a total of 30 grams of protein. Depending on your blender, the concoction should have a subtle nuttiness to it with a texture that instills chewing.  I wouldn't attempt this recipe with dehydrated coconut as it will probably come out terrible.

Work in Progress

So I bought some coconuts on discount.  $1.10ea,  I had to.  I just spent several episodes of 2.5 Men draining the juice and separating the flesh, I am now awaiting my fruits of my labor to chill to perfection.  I placed my coconut in plastic seal-able container with some milk, cinnamon, vanilla and honey.  After  I let it sit overnight I'll either go for a light icy beverage, or maybe go a little heavier with some dulce de leche.  By the way, nothing beats the feeling or scent of rubbing fresh coconut oil into your skin.   For hours not only have I smelled delicious, but my skin feels absolutely marvelous.  I think I could totally do the whole stranded on a deserted island thing, or at least an island inhabited by beautiful scantily clad women. 

Hawaiian Survivalist

       If you're ever lost in the wilderness of Hawaii with nothing but a machete, blender, and a power supply, then remember this recipe as if your life depended on it; because it probably will.

Your Recipe, Should You Choose to Accept it:

    Twist the top off the pineapple and stick the bromeliad into a glass of water.  Chop the pineapple into wedges or other easy shapes to work with.  If you have a superior juicer, consider juicing the skin to utilize all pulp rather than tossing it out.  Toss in 2 cups of diced skinless pineapple.  Take 2 peeled frozen bananas out of the freezer and dice them or break them into blender friendly pieces.  Dump 2 cups of frozen banana into the blender and then cover with 2 cups of coconut juice.  Top off with 2 tablespoons of vanilla bean extract.  Blend well and taste your concoction.  It should be light and somewhat mild compared to other smoothies made previously.  Absolutely great when you're in the mood for a light beverage, or when your stomach cannot tolerate much of anything.  Use riper bananas for a sweeter finished product.  Also consider using frozen pineapple. 
     Look forward to more recipes containing coconut in the future.  Coconut is actually an amazing ingredient.  It's juice is so pure that it has been used by soldiers for plasma transfusions when donor blood wasn't available.  I don't remember seeing that on LOST!.

 Ingredients:

• 2 cups of Coconut Juice
• 2 cups Frozen Bananas
• 2 cups diced Pineapple
• 2 tablespoons of Vanilla Bean Extract

Yields about 48 ounces.  Savor alone or with a friend (if you haven't eaten him already in order to survive).