A Contest Winner: Spiced Banana Date Smoothie

Here’s a naturally sweet smoothie so delicious it can sub as a dessert. It would fool you for a milkshake if you didn’t know better. Flavored with “warm” spices like cinnamon and cloves, it gets a little kick from ginger, chile powder and cayenne (the hot spices are optional). It’s not a burn-your-tongue-kick but one you can feel creeping up the back of your throat. The dates lend an earthy, syrupy sweetness and banana is a classic ingredient for smoothies, and a natural to include with these spices.

I’m entering this in Maman & Gourmand’s Smoothie/Shake contest to win a $200 Health Master Emulsifier from Healthmaster.com . Update: The contest is over – I won – thanks for all your votes!

Spiced Banana Date Smoothie

(by Reeni)

1 cup Milk (I used Vanilla Soymilk)

4 Medjool dates, pitted, chopped

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon Chile Powder*

1/16 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper*

3/4 cup sliced ripe banana

3/4 cup Ice

Add your milk and dates to a blender and blend on highest speed until

the dates are incorporated into the milk.

Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy.

*Optional for a spicy kick.

Print Recipe

Comments

Andrea says:

12/08/2012 at

Hi- clearly this is an old post but it’s always nice to hear good things so I just wanted to say that I’m primarily eating smoothies right now and this has been a wonderful addition; it’s great for the season and a great way to break up the monotony of fruit smoothies.

- Reeni says:
  
  12/08/2012 at
  
  Thanks Andrea! I’m glad to hear it!
  
Lisa says:

03/31/2012 at

Delish!!!!!!!

Ozge says:

05/16/2009 at

I voted for you! Gooooo Reeeeniiii!

Pam says:

05/16/2009 at

Visiting from SITS. I haven’t had breakfast yet and your blog is making me seriously hungry. Yummy!

Ozge says:

05/16/2009 at

I voted for you! Gooooo Reeeeniiii!