Frozen Banana Smoothie

This is one of my favorite summer concoctions. Dr. Dan Baca taught me this years ago, before the word "smoothie" existed. We called it "banana milkshake", and then had to explain that it didn't contain icecream. For some reason it tastes like it has many spices and ingredients such as icecream in it. But it's just milk and bananas. A mystery.

Here are the steps:
Freeze bananas.
Cut into chunks.
Put in Blender with milk, kefir, and other stuff
Blend.
Drink.
Repeat. It is very delicious.

Note: There is no watermelon in this recipe.

Step 1 Freeze Bananas

First peel the bananas. Some lazy people freeze their bananas with the skins on.
Like many lazy acts, it results in much greater work for a worse result.

Peel your bananas and freeze them in plastic bags. Regular grocery store plastic checkout bags are fine. Use double bags if you expect your bananas to remain long, to avoid freezer flavor mixing.
The bags pack together more efficiently than tubs or tupperware.

I used to get very cheap crates of bananas at closing time at Haymarket in Boston.
When you have peeled bananas in one pile and the peels in another, it's amazing how much peel a banana has.
My current batch of bananas came from a Trader Joes Dumpster.
I have so many it will be a long time before I have an opportunity to take the "peel bananas" picture.
In the mean time, here's what they look like after being frozen for a few months.

Be aware that some people prefer to peel their bananas from the wrong end.

Comments

[iLikeCoolStuf]

the kefir ible is something odd and the kefir 2

[Automator]

This might take more time than its worth, but I usually freeze the banana chunks in a single layer on a french fry tray covered in parchment paper. Once they're frozen I chuck them in a bag and put back in the freezer. End result, frozen chunks of banana that aren't clumped together in one giant mass of frozen banana.

[taraist]

just froze a whole bunch of bananas like this! They would have been thrown out otherwise I bet. They will go so well in this recipe or in other smoothies. I wounder if freezing them like this would make it easier to coat them in chocolate...?

[taraist]

Also, I was looking for a use for some kiefer in the fridge as well. Two things I needed to use in one great recipe! woohoo!! Thanks! I'll have to try dumpstering some bananas and keeping these on hand!

[asher-escher]

The best cheat here is to split the bananas in thirds lengthwise, along their natural shear planes, with your fingers, instead of cutting them. That keeps the pieces drier, so they break apart more easily. Also, that leaves them thin in two dimensions instead of one, so the frozen thirds can be broken further, easily. You can split them right into the container you're going to freeze/store them in (er, like the empty half of a box of ice cream).

[cowscankill]

im making it tomorow :D

[volve]

I made a couple of these the other night. They were quiet good. Mixing in a dab of cinnamon give it a touch of spice to. Thanks for the instructable! :)

[CaffeineHouse]

This is a great recipe, i made my first one with just banana and milk, it was pretty good. today i made one with banana, milk, cinnamonn applesauce, and chocolate syrup. it was great!

[synox]

well done! use fresh bananas and you have i great drink in 2 minutes! try strawberry too!

[Momastray]

I will have to try! I even have the bananas! Sounds almost too simple! Would be great to drink on the way to work. Thanks!

[TheCheese9921]

Duuuude, NOOOOOOOOOOO... we are out of bananas, I'm gunna go sit in a dark corner and cry, lol This looks really good I'm gunna try it as soon as I can get some bananas

[Ferrite]

I sometimes add yogurt to my shakes/smoothies to make them thicker.

[ColumbusGEEK]

Add peanut butter or chocolate syrup and even some almonds for additional enjoyment. I hate bananas but I love these shakes.

[ferrix]

If you have a bit of unsweetened applesauce around, add that for a great additional flavor. Warning: makes it much sweeter, even the natural "just apples" applesauce!

[rocketbat]

yay, im the first to say..... TOP BANANA!

[theRIAA]

i don't like mushy banana taste... does this taste like mushy bananas?

[LasVegas]

Only if you started with mushy bananas... :)