sometimes the best way to carry out a comeback is simply to come back. without bells or whistles, but with a smoothie. i suppose this smoothie has bells and whistles of its own as it tastes like a milkshake and that makes it a very fine smoothie, indeed. it's in the top of its frosty little smoothie class.
i missed writing for you, whoever you are. i missed making you smoothies and serving you a plate of unadorned, ripe-at-that-moment, zebra-striped tomatoes that we could share, at least, in words. i missed showing you this sack of summer plums, how it reminded me of william carlos williams and his poor old woman. i can't eat a plum without giving myself over to it. if you have not, i suggest you try.
selfishly, i missed what writing to you does for me. having you as my purpose turns my kitchen to poetry. writing and cooking are two of those acts that blur the line between giving and receiving. without further ado, here is that beguiling smoothie--creamy without dairy, sweet without sugar, peanut butter backed-boned, and just the thing to swill on these last, lingering, sticky-hot days. consider it an advance of my gratitude.
peanut butter-banana-chocolate smoothie
serves 1
1 super ripe banana, preferably frozen
4 - 5 ice cubes, approximately
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
4 - 5 pitted dates
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
place all of the ingredients in a blender. start on low speed and gradually increase to high as the ingredients break apart. continue to blend until creamy and smooth. serve immediately.
notes
* "To a Poor Old Woman" by william carlos williams here.
* peanut butter can be a mess to measure, so eyeball it if need be and when in doubt, more is more
* this smoothie is an excellent vehicle for a spoonful of malty, superfood powdered maca