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Salty, nutty, and sweet. This peanut butter banana smoothie is such a pleasure, it could almost be dessert. Vegan. Gluten-free. Soy-free.
I couldn’t possibly count all of the inside jokes David and I have between us. They’re an everyday part of our language – comedic shorthand.
Some of the references go back a decade or more. Often the jokes take on a life of their own. Sometimes they include old gags that we like to return to again and again like a well-worn sweatshirt.
One such gag involves using a banana as a telephone.
I know we’re hardly the first people to use a banana as an imaginary phone. But you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more dedicated to keeping the gag going.
Often when one of us grabs a banana for a packed lunch or snack, before we peel it, we like to pretend we’re having a phone conversation.
The caller on the other end of the line is always the same – King Kong.
I mean, who else would be calling on the banana phone, right?
He’s generally not calling about anything pressing. Just small talk – which is difficult considering his size.
It goes a little something like this…
I’ll pull the banana up to my ear and say, “Oh, hey, how are you?”
David will ask with interest, “Who is it?”
I’ll cover the mouthpiece of the phone and whisper, “King Kong.”
“What does he want?” David whispers back.
I’ll direct the question to King Kong. “What did you need?”
After a couple of nods I’ll tell David, “He wants to know if you’d like to go to the movies with him on Wednesday.”
“What is he going to see?”
I’ll put the question to King Kong. “What are you going to see?”
After waiting a few moments for King Kong to answer I’ll respond to David, “Planet of the Apes.”
Of course, David can’t refuse. That’s one of his favorite movies. And going to the movies with King Kong? That’s pretty much his dream.
So I’ll hand the banana off to David, so that he and King Kong can firm up their plans to go to the drive-in. (Those movie theatre seats are a killer on King Kong’s knees.)
And after the movie plans have been finalized, the phone can be eaten on its own or frozen for chocolate banana nice cream or a smoothie.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
A peanut butter banana smoothie is perfect in its simplicity. Nothing to stand in its way. The perfect combo.
While I enjoy a cherry, blueberry, or even pumpkin smoothie, sometimes something more straightforward calls. When you don’t want anything to distract from the joy that is peanut butter & banana coming together, this is the smoothie you need.
The salty nuttiness of the peanut butter mellows the gentle sweetness of the banana. Ground flaxseed increases the whippy viscosity while adding omega 3’s.
For the non-dairy milk, I use unsweetened plain cashew milk. But feel free to use whichever non-dairy milk you prefer.
When it comes to smoothies, frozen bananas are a must for me.
You could just throw a banana into the blender right after peeling. But giving the banana time to freeze solid means that the smoothie will have a wonderfully creamy texture that it wouldn’t get otherwise. It pushes the smoothie almost into shake category.
This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe makes enough for two small drinks. Even though they’re on the diminutive side, they’re quite filling with the peanut butter & flaxseed inside.
A creamy peanut butter banana smoothie just hits the spot. Like King Kong and banana telephones, there’s a reason it’s a classic.
Peanut butter banana smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk I use plain cashew milk
- 2 bananas peeled & frozen in chunks
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
Instructions
- Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into 2 small glasses & serve.
Shell says
Cad, I can imagine as clear as day you and David carrying out your banana phone shtick. No one would be better at it! And I will second your thoughts on frozen bananas for smoothies. This is one of the many tricks you’ve taught me over the years for which I’m very grateful!
Cadry says
We’ll have to get the girls involved next time! It can be the new, “Do you like pancakes?” I’m glad I was able to convert you to the frozen banana side. Whenever I hear that people are still using room temperature bananas for smoothies, I feel a little sad for what they’re missing! 😀
Mary Ellen | VNutrition says
I love that you talk to King Kong on a banana phone! Matt and I have inside jokes too and sometimes we say to ourselves – “what if someone was actually listening to us, they’d think we’re crazy!”.
I, on the other hand, do not think you’re crazy and I think it’s awesome. 🙂
Your smoothie sounds perfect. I love a good banana and peanut butter anything. 🙂
Cadry says
Haha! Thanks for clarifying that you DON’T think we’re crazy! 😀 It seems to be a natural part of couple-dom that you develop your own language with time.
simon says
Thanks for another few innovative recipes.
Love peanut butter and banana, so if this smoothie is as delicous as it looks, then am going to be real happy!. Can’t wait to try the PB cookies, yum, yum!.
Cadry says
Thanks, Simon! I hope you love this smoothie as much as I do. Since you are a fan of peanut butter & bananas, I bet you’ll be into it! And yes, those peanut butter cookies are delicious. I need to make another batch!
Dianne says
Your banana telephone running joke is so cute! I’m not a big fan of bananas, but I don’t mind them in smoothies, and this one looks like something I’d really like!
Cadry says
Thanks, Dianne! That’s too bad that you’re not a big fan of bananas, but maybe the peanut butter would win you over.
Bianca Phillips says
Hahahaha, y’all are so cute!
“And after the movie plans have been finalized, the phone can be eaten on its own or frozen for a smoothie.”
Hahahahahaaha. I’ll never look at a banana the same again.
Bananas in smoothies are MUST for me. A smoothie just isn’t a smoothie without one. And a PB & Banana Smoothie is basically perfection in a glass. You’re making me crave one right now.
Cadry says
I totally agree about bananas being essential to a smoothie. Plus, it seems like the other option is avocado for creaminess and body. Avocados are way too pricey & delicious to be hiding in a smoothie. Last week when I was creating/photographing this recipe, I had a PB & banana smoothie 3 days in a row. No complaints! 😀
Amey Mathews says
ha ha. Hello? Are you there? I can’t hear you! This is bananas!
“Bananas!” is my favorite expression lately. These smoothies look so good. I almost never buy bananas, since we have an abundance of local organic fruit to choose from, throughout the year… but a couple times a year I”ll splurge and buy some. I actually have a few that went brown in the freezer — waiting to be made into banana muffins sometime soon!
xo Amey
Cadry says
Cute, Amey! I like your punning! 😀
Yes, with the abundance of local produce in California, I can see why you stick to what’s readily available. You’ll have to give this recipe a whirl during one of your splurges. 😀
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I love this story! So cute. And this smoothie looks amazing! I love peanut butter and bananas.
Cadry says
Thank you, Amy! Peanut butter and bananas are just so good together. It’s a perfect match!
Jenn says
Bahahaha! Love your little joke! And I love peanut butter banana smoothies! Totally like milkshakes – yum!
Cadry says
Thanks, Jenn! We definitely embrace silliness around here. I’m glad you’re a fellow PB & banana smoothie fan. 😀
Sarah says
You two are hysterical! I can totally picture the two of you in your kitchen doing this routine! And the smoothie of course looks delicious—great idea to add the flax for texture and consistency! Plus healthy! My boys would love this, and we have a great nut free peanut butter sub that would be perfect!
Cadry says
Thanks, Sarah! When it comes to smoothies, I always add chia or flax. I love that whippy viscosity that they give. That’s a great idea to do a peanut butter sub for your boys. You’ll have to let me know if you try it!
Susan says
You two are hilarious! I love it.
Cadry says
Thanks, Susan! <3