- Merrill
Recently, I got an email from my friend Alexandra, who inspired this post about banana pudding a few months ago. She was planning to make banana pudding for a party over the weekend and wondered if I thought it was a good idea to add some cardamom. I enthusiastically gave her two thumbs up, and then proceeded to obsess over the idea for the next few days. Banana and cardamom seemed like such a winning combination -- I knew there must be other ways to put it to good use.
After some thought, and inspired in part by our Soda Fountain contest, I decided to try making a banana cardamom milkshake. Happily, it didn't disappoint. This recipe is dead simple and good for summer, when I personally don't feel like putting a lot of elbow grease into most of my cooking. It's creamy but also a little refreshing, due in part to the addition of a little lime juice, which brightens things up. Feel free to adjust the cardamom to your taste, as well as the milk to ice cream ratio -- I went for a shake that's not too thick, reminiscent of a smoothie but richer.
Banana Cardamom Milkshake
Makes one large milkshake, or two smaller shakes
- 1 large banana, peeled
- 2 scoops good vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Seeds from 4 cardamom pods, crushed
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merrill
I'm a native New Yorker with over a decade of experience as a private chef, cooking instructor and food writer/editor; I have a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu, as well as a highly practical BA in Comparative Literature (Italian and English). I live with my husband and daughter in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where we visit the farmers market most weekends.
Some past articles from this author you'll love:
A Potluck Lunch
Make-Ahead Meals
Feeding a New Family
17 Comments on Banana Cardamom Milkshake:
I tried your recipe last week with my friends and they all loved it, thanks a lot for the recipe, I myself am a cardamom grower/importer from colombia, and I'm particularly impressed at how the uses of cardamom have expanded through out the globe.
Sounds absolutely delish. Loving Antonia's devotion to the recipe too! I also am not fond of banana (although it's more of a texture thing) but my love for cardamom compels me to try this.I always put a pod or two in my stovetop espresso pot when I need an extra lift. Cardamom is thermogenic too, meaning it raises our metabolism, promoting fat- burning. Not sure if that principle applies to milkshakes, however...
Love banana milkshakes - can't wait to try with cardamom and lime!
I read this and immediatley was inspired to whip it up! Mmmm. Coincidence that I made a similar one yesterday: with Greek yogurt, honey, water & cinnamon. This time, used the yogurt, honey, milk & cardamon -- LOVE the gingery taste of the cardamon w lime. Thank you!
I made another one today, having frozen the banana (peeled, in chunks). Even better (colder). I used the juice of a whole lime, instead of half, as well. Looking forward to playing around with this a bit. Wondering what other spices might do well here. ;o)
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoWow, you're loving the tart element!
Yes, that's true. I'm not wild about bananas in general because they invariably seem too sweet, so the lime + yogurt bring them around nicely. ;o)
i have been barely able to work today, thinking about this.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoYou're too kind, m'dear.
I made one of these today for lunch, using homemade vanilla frozen yogurt, instead of ice cream. Sensational! Simply perfect on this hottest day of the year. I like the idea of freezing the banana. I think I'll try it that way tomorrow! ;o)
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoYum! I bet the frozen yogurt added a really nice tangy edge.
I would have frozen the bananas before I put them in my Vita Mix! I love cardamon and this shake sounds oh so refreshing. Thank you for the recipe.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoYeah, that's another surefire technique. I kind of liked that this shake was more milky than slushy, though -- a nice change.
Ohhhh - poor pumpkin! That's quite a goose egg he's sporting. Glad Aunt Merrill could provide a magic tonic.
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoA milkshake will solve virtually any problem.
Milkshake looks yum - poor kid's noggin looks like it hurts!!!
Merrill is a co-founder of food52.
added 11 months agoPoor thing -- he was really brave!
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