Caramel Banana Smoothie - snack or dessert??

Here's another super fast smoothie recipe to add to your repertoire that goes outside the usual fruit and yogurt. I made it as an excuse to try out my fancy new immersion blender and it worked great! Just dump the ingredients in the measuring cup, blend, add the ice, blend, pour into cups and serve! No fumbling with a setting up a big blender and only 2 small things to clean when I was done. I felt so spoiled and my sisters didn't mind being my guinea pigs :)  Whether it's a rich snack of a lighter dessert is your choice, it's good either way! The recipe is for a large single serving or 2 small servings, but its is very easily multiplied.

INGREDIENTS:

§ 1 very ripe banana

§ ½ cup dulce de leche (or more, to taste)*

§ A tiny pinch of salt

§ A few drops of pure vanilla extract

§ ¼ cup 2% or skim milk (or heavy cream for a richer drink)

§ 1 cup crushed ice

§ (optional) whipped cream and caramel or chocolate sauce

* you can make your own dulce de leche by cooking a can of sweetened condensed milk (must be done carefully!) or you can usually find already prepared cans in the international aisle at the grocery store with the Mexican food.

PREPARATION:

1.       Break up the banana into roughly bite-sized pieces and place in blender (or you can use an immersion blender and just place the ingredients in a 2-cup measuring cup instead). Add the dulce de leche, salt, vanilla, and the milk or cream and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the balance of banana/dulce de leche to your liking.

2.       Add the ice and blend again until thick, adding more ice if needed. You should not hear any crunching when you are done blending, meaning all the ice is blended and any other bits.

3.       Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce if you like.

 You can go simple...

 Or dress it up with some whipped cream!

Caramel Sauce and banana slices look great too!

 Don't confuse this with an iced coffee though!