MOCHA BANANA TIRA MI SÙ SMOOTHIE

Freshly brewed espresso, chocolatey-bitter cocoa powder, and creamy, sweet, frozen bananas; all blended with cold milk and ice cubes into gorgeously rich, fresh and creamy frothiness. 

Easy, fast, and with a delicious coffee-cocoa-banana taste, Mocha Banana Smoothie is great for jumpstarting your morning, or as a tira mi sù (Italian for pick me up) in the afternoon.

It's easy and fast to prepare, making it perfect for hectic mornings: once the espresso is made and slightly cooled, it is combined with the other ingredients in a high-speed blender and blended until creamy and smooth.

Jump to RECIPE

This Smoothie is wonderfully creamy, flavourful, satisfying and filling.

Bananas and milk provide natural sweetness, creaminess and bulk. Coffee and cocoa powder add a wonderful mocha taste along with the oh-so-needed morning caffeine, or pick me up. Ice cubes provide liquid and chill.

I always have a bag of sliced bananas in the freezer; it's the best fate for over-ripe bananas, and I highly recommend it.

Once they start to soften and are full of brown spots, and no one wants to eat them anymore, I slice them and freeze them in re-sealable freezer bags.

Rich in natural sugars and dietary fibre, they are an excellent addition to smoothies.

TIPS & VARIATIONS:

• The riper the bananas, the less sugar you will need. Start by blending all the ingredients, then add sugar as needed.

• Instead of sugar, use pitted dates or honey as natural sweetener.

• Incorporate oats (and more liquid) for a more substantial smoothie that will keep you full longer.

  
  

RECIPE

MOCHA BANANA TIRA MI SÙ SMOOTHIE 

Freshly brewed espresso, chocolatey-bitter cocoa powder, and creamy, sweet, frozen bananas; all blended with cold milk and ice cubes into gorgeously rich, fresh and creamy frothiness. 

INGREDIENTS: 

Makes 2 servings, or 2 x 2 ½ cups, or 2 x 625ml

• 2 shots espresso, left to cool (alternatively 2 rounded teaspoons instant espresso powder)

• 2 teaspoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder

• 2 cups (500 ml) non-dairy milk (or low fat cow milk for a non-vegan version)

• 2 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen on the day before

• 1 cup ice cubes

• Optional: brown sugar to taste

Equipment: High-speed Blender

DIRECTIONS: 

1. Make 2 shots of espresso and allow them to cool. (Alternatively dissolve 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder in a small amount of boiling water.

   
   

2. Add the espresso together with the remaining ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

   
   

3. Taste, add sugar or a natural sweetener if needed and blend again.

   
   

4. Serve immediately.