Majida Rashid
While shakes, topped with ice cream or whipped cream, have existed since at least the early 20th century, they cannot compete with present-day shakes thanks to the invention or rather upgrading of old-style blenders. These new blenders have popularized shakes worldwide. Smoothies are a thicker version of shakes.
There is nothing better than a homemade shake. We can mix and match any ingredient and create new flavors. The summer months are ideal for shakes, especially for Michiganders. These months bring in beautiful sunshine after a long spell of cold. They also provide an opportunity for outdoor activities that result in perspiration. Sweat is of two types: the one we see and the other we neither see nor feel. Minerals and other trace elements leech out through this process and cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body. This results in exhaustion and sometimes it can cause muscle cramps. We can replenish ourselves with homemade shakes.
The following shakes are easy to make and boost energy. Bananas, in addition to their sweetness, are rich in trace elements like potassium, magnesium and vitamins that are essential for balancing electrolytes. Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C and they also contain folates, which help with the absorption of iron. The one shake that was, and still is, extremely popular during hot weather in Pakistan was a milk shake made with mango and banana. I don’t like mangoes — to say this to Pakistanis or Indians is blasphemous due to the popularity of mangoes.
I also make another version of shakes for which I always freeze bananas and fruit. Any fruit can be used, but a strawberry and banana combination is popular with everyone. Freezing avoids the need for ice cubes. Many times, I add almonds. I soak and peel the almonds and blend them with a little water and freeze the liquid in ice-cube trays. The cubes can be transferred into zip-log bags. They stay good for months. Coconut meat can replace the almonds, especially if one is allergic to nuts. I always buy fresh coconuts with white outer husk and open it with a hammer and a screwdriver. Fresh coconut water is delicious and it freezes well. The water sold in cartons, despite the claims, is processed and nothing like fresh coconut water. I also slice the coconut meat and freeze it. A quarter cup of coconut for 1 to 1-1/2 bananas, a handful of strawberries and 3/4 up of milk will suffice.
I take out the frozen fruit and add milk or coconut water and let it stand for quarter of an hour. This makes the blending easier. Sometimes, I use less liquid to obtain a thicker version and pour it into popsicle molds and freeze. There is nothing more refreshing than these popsicles.
It’s important to make sure that the blender is suitable to crush the ice so the blades are not damaged.
Banana Milk Shake
(Serves 2-3)
Ingredients
2 large bananas
2-3 cups cold milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence, optional
1/2 medium mango, peeled and sliced.
1-2 tablespoons sugar, optional
4-6 ice cubes
Directions
Peel the bananas and put them in the blender.
Pour in the milk and vanilla essence.
Add the mango.
Mix in the sugar, if using.
Add the ice cubes and blend until the ice is crushed.
Pour into tall glasses and serve with straws.
—————
Banana Orange Shake
(Serves 2-3)
Ingredients
1/2-1 teaspoon grated orange rind
4-5 oranges
2 large bananas
4-6 ice cubes
Directions
Using a fine grater, grate the orange rind and put in the blender.
Squeeze the orange juice and pulp into the blender.
Peel the bananas and add to the juice.
Add in the ice cube and blend until a smooth foaming shake is obtained.
Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.
There is nothing better than a homemade shake. We can mix and match any ingredient and create new flavors. The summer months are ideal for shakes, especially for Michiganders. These months bring in beautiful sunshine after a long spell of cold. They also provide an opportunity for outdoor activities that result in perspiration. Sweat is of two types: the one we see and the other we neither see nor feel. Minerals and other trace elements leech out through this process and cause an electrolyte imbalance in the body. This results in exhaustion and sometimes it can cause muscle cramps. We can replenish ourselves with homemade shakes.
The following shakes are easy to make and boost energy. Bananas, in addition to their sweetness, are rich in trace elements like potassium, magnesium and vitamins that are essential for balancing electrolytes. Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C and they also contain folates, which help with the absorption of iron. The one shake that was, and still is, extremely popular during hot weather in Pakistan was a milk shake made with mango and banana. I don’t like mangoes — to say this to Pakistanis or Indians is blasphemous due to the popularity of mangoes.
I also make another version of shakes for which I always freeze bananas and fruit. Any fruit can be used, but a strawberry and banana combination is popular with everyone. Freezing avoids the need for ice cubes. Many times, I add almonds. I soak and peel the almonds and blend them with a little water and freeze the liquid in ice-cube trays. The cubes can be transferred into zip-log bags. They stay good for months. Coconut meat can replace the almonds, especially if one is allergic to nuts. I always buy fresh coconuts with white outer husk and open it with a hammer and a screwdriver. Fresh coconut water is delicious and it freezes well. The water sold in cartons, despite the claims, is processed and nothing like fresh coconut water. I also slice the coconut meat and freeze it. A quarter cup of coconut for 1 to 1-1/2 bananas, a handful of strawberries and 3/4 up of milk will suffice.
I take out the frozen fruit and add milk or coconut water and let it stand for quarter of an hour. This makes the blending easier. Sometimes, I use less liquid to obtain a thicker version and pour it into popsicle molds and freeze. There is nothing more refreshing than these popsicles.
It’s important to make sure that the blender is suitable to crush the ice so the blades are not damaged.
Banana Milk Shake
(Serves 2-3)
Ingredients
2 large bananas
2-3 cups cold milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence, optional
1/2 medium mango, peeled and sliced.
1-2 tablespoons sugar, optional
4-6 ice cubes
Directions
Peel the bananas and put them in the blender.
Pour in the milk and vanilla essence.
Add the mango.
Mix in the sugar, if using.
Add the ice cubes and blend until the ice is crushed.
Pour into tall glasses and serve with straws.
—————
Banana Orange Shake
(Serves 2-3)
Ingredients
1/2-1 teaspoon grated orange rind
4-5 oranges
2 large bananas
4-6 ice cubes
Directions
Using a fine grater, grate the orange rind and put in the blender.
Squeeze the orange juice and pulp into the blender.
Peel the bananas and add to the juice.
Add in the ice cube and blend until a smooth foaming shake is obtained.
Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.
