Recipe: Banana chocolate milkshake, sort of

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See these brown, spotted bananas? This is about when I start contemplating banana bread. Or those banana chocolate-chip muffins Michael and Weston like so much. But I don't feel much like baking today. I'm kind of thirsty. So I think I'll turn these bananas into a healthy yet decadent "milkshake."

There are all kinds of variations on the smoothie (which is really what this is, I guess). For me, the banana is key because it lends the creamy texture I associate with a milkshake.

The only powdered chocolate stuff I use (other than pure cocoa powder) is Ovaltine. My father, who was a pediatrician, insisted it was the only sensible product to use for chocolate milk or hot cocoa. I think nowadays more of those instant chocolate powders are fortified with vitamins and calcium, but when he started practicing Ovaltine was in a class by itself nutritionally. In deference to him, I buy nothing else.

Banana chocolate "milkshake"

• 1 banana, frozen if you've thought ahead
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk (or regular milk for those who prefer it)
• 2 Tbsp Ovaltine powder, preferably chocolate malt flavor
• 3 ice cubes (if your banana is unfrozen, as mine is today)

Place all ingredients in a blender and whizz until smooth.