Mocha Monkey - A Different Kind of Smoothie

Tim and I love mocha drinks, desserts, snacks of any sort.  So when I went looking for interesting smoothie ideas and came across these mocha drinks at BHG I knew we had to try them.  It may just be me, but I can't in good conscience call these straight up mochas.  They have a banana in them and I can tell you bananas aren't part of the "normal" mocha equation.  So I decided I had to rename these smoothies and the name Mocha Monkey was born.  Honestly, no matter what you call them they are good.  It's a nice little dessert or a great post workout pick me up.  It's a nice way to incorporate a little chocolate into your day.  You could even call these grown up chocolate milks.  They couldn't be simpler to make.  It's a chopped, drop and blend recipe.  I think that's why most people enjoy smoothies.  Great flavor with little effort. 

Wow, I don't know about you but winter has finally set in here in Maine.  The snow certainly is beautiful.  I hear my friends in the Pacific Northwest are going to get a rare snow event this week.  If you are reading, Jay and Gretta, stay safe and enjoy the snow!  Hard to believe the first month of 2012 is half over already. 

Mocha Monkeys (Mocha Smoothies from Better Homes and Gardens)

ingredients

• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 medium banana, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices, and frozen
• 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (I use a nice dark cocoa powder)
• 2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals (I like to use instant espresso powder here)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup small ice cubes or crushed ice

directions

1. In a blender combine milk, banana, sugar, cocoa powder, coffee crystals, and vanilla. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice cubes. Cover and blend until nearly smooth.
2. Makes 2 servings

Comments

[Casey Starnes]

Yum. I love a good smoothie. My boring diet doesn't allow such. But, I can dream!