Death by Chocolate

This smoothie isn't for diets. This smoothie isn't for the health conscious. This smoothie is for indulgence, pure and simple. This is a post break-up, sticky, overcast day, certain-time-of-the-month kind of smoothie. Enjoy! 


Ingredients

• About 2 frozen bananas
• A skimpy 1/4 cup of soy milk
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder

If you don't have any chocolate chips, substitute with two extra tablespoons of cocoa powder and two tablespoons of sugar. You can skip the heating part in step three if you choose to use this substitution. 

I know most of you don't have bananas sitting in your freezer, so here is a mini-tutorial on how to get that started. 

STEP 1
Bring home a huge hunk of bananas from the grocery store. Smoothie season IS banana season! They're on the cheap right now, so don't hesitate to induldge. 

STEP 2 
Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

STEP 3 
Peel bananas and break them into 3-4 pieces, depending on size of banana. 

STEP 4
Lay out banana pieces on baking sheet so that they are not touching. 

STEP 5 
Make room in your freezer. Freeze bananas for approximately 30 minutes, longer is fine. 

STEP 6
Transport semi frozen bananas into a tupperware container with a good seal. Keep in freezer.



Laying them out on a sheet before hand will save you a lot of trouble when you go to get them out of the freezer to make your smoothies. Don't believe me? You will only skip this trick once..... 

Depending on how awesome your blender is and/or how cold your freezer is, you might be able to skip this step.

• Pick out about 6-8 pieces of banana, or two bananas worth from your frozen bananas, and place them in a microwave safe cup. 
• Microwave for about 10-20 seconds to slightly soften. This will help your blender to process the fruit fully, and leave less chunks (if that is something that you are having a problem with). 

Meanwhile, form your syrup. For a thicker shake (think: dairy queen, upside down cup) use less milk, for a more runny shake, use exactly 1/4 of milk or more.  In a small saucepan over LOW heat, combine the milk, chocolate chips, and cocoa powder. STIR CONSTANTLY, and as soon as the chocolate chips are melted, remove from heat and allow to cool. (Cooling shouldn't take very long...)

Blend together the syrup and the bananas until all of the chucks are pureed. 


Enjoy with your lover, friends, and/or family!