Banana, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Smoothie

How fun is this?

I did not grow up eating PB&J. I was a vegemite girl through and through, thick or thin spread I didn't care, just give me vegemite. And never with cheese. I still don't get that combination. I'm in the minority on that front, but that's cool. Vegemite + butter is all I need to be a...you guessed it...happy little vegemite. 

It will come as no surprise that as a kid I was nuts about peanut butter (that happened, sorry), however if I were to gussy up my PB toast I'd invariably reach for honey or smash a banana on top. Oh, there is nothing quite like peanut butter and banana on toast. This combination was introduced to me by my friend George when I was quite young. I remember making PB and banana sandwiches in her parents' kitchen after video taping performances which ranged from dancing and miming to songs by Take That, to re-enacting BBC's Pride and Prejudice, to our own PK commercials. George is now an actress and I make a living talking about peanut butter. So essentially we're both still doing what we did as kids. I like that.

Anyway, for years I never thought to pair peanut butter with jam, but it's a practice I now engage in with delicious regularity. When I saw a milkshake recipe on Green Kitchen Stories' website, I knew I would adore it. In New York City last year Ben and I would often wake in the morning craving smoothies, having spent most of our evenings drinking bourbon and eating barbeque. Our favourite smoothie involved dates and peanut butter, and I'm pleased to say I now consistently add a spoonful of nut butter to my smoothies. It is a tasty tasty way to enjoy the health benefits of nuts, while making the smoothie super thick and dreamy. Here is my adaptation on Green Kitchen Stories' smoothie. George, this one is for you. How deep is your love for PB and banana? Sorry. It's just that I'll Never Forget. No, really, I'll stop. For good. Back for Good.

He he he.

Banana, Peanut Butter and Strawberry Smoothie

Inspired by Green Kitchen Stories' Strawberry Peanut Butter Milkshake

Serves 2

Ingredients
2 handfuls Strawberries
2 frozen* Bananas
2 cups Milk
1 heaped tablespoon natural** Peanut Butter
2 heaped teaspoons Maca Powder (optional)

Optional: add some rolled oats (soaked in milk overnight if you want it smoother) for bulk.

* Peel and slice the bananas, place in a snalopck bag and freeze for at least a few hours. I like to freeze mine overnight for the morning, or ideally I have a bunch frozen at all times.
** Natural nut butters have no added ingredients, just nuts (and sometimes salt). Look for them in the health food shops or aisles of supermarkets, or increasingly next to the more processed peanut butter.

Method
1. Puree the strawberries (tops removed) in a food processor until smooth. Pour into the bottom of two glasses.
2. Puree the rest of the ingredients until smooth. The frozen banana will make a really thick smoothie, which I adore, however if you like a thinner smoothie simply add more milk.
3. Using the back of a wide spoon placed in the glass over the strawberry layer, gently pour the banana smoothie into the glass (thic should keep the layers separate, which is really just for show).

Heidi xo