Banana Yogurt Spoonie

Spoonie may be thick and simple, but that’s why he's so lovable.

Who is this Spoonie, you ask? Why, he's Smoothie's simpler brother. Think of him as the Rain Man of yogurt refreshments. Tom Cruise is the smooth one who lures the ladies in with his straw, and Dustin Hoffman is the thick one who's really brilliant despite his compulsive need for flatware. Just give him a nanosecond, and he can tell you how many calories are in a Vegas buffet.

While most of us also have a thick and simple brother, I'm pretty sure Spoonie tastes better and is easier to make. You don’t even need a blender. Simply take a fork and mash a very ripe banana with some organic nonfat yogurt as your base, then add a few mix-ins like dried coconut and walnuts, and before you know it, you’ll be spooning Rain Man. Rich tasting and nutrient dense, he makes a smart and satisfying breakfast, brunch item, afternoon snack or light dessert.

I like to leave some banana chunks in for variety, but if Smoothie Cruise is more your type, you can beat him to a finer pulp. Personally, I don’t believe in banana cruelty, but you’ll have to follow your own moral compass. For an extra kick, you can add cardamom. Or leave their mom out of it if she’s too spicy. And since Spoonie has no fat or sugar like his rich cousin, The Lick-Your-Bowl-Clean Plantain Banana Split, you can eat a huge bowl of him without remorse. If you want to omit the coconut and then find that Spoonie isn't sweet enough, just add a little honey. Vanilla extract is welcome, too. Do whatever you want to him. Despite his lumps, Spoonie is a very agreeable guy. I guarantee he'll dazzle everyone you introduce him to. True, he may not be smooth like his brother, but when you get your spoon in him, boy does he shine. He's sparkly. Very sparkly.

Banana Yogurt Spoonie Recipe

(Makes 1 large serving or 2 small ones)

1 banana, mashed

¼ cup organic plain nonfat yogurt (Greek is good, too)

1 TBSP shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut

1 TBSP walnut pieces

1 cardamom pod (optional), seeds ground in a mortar and pestle

In a bowl, mash banana with a fork. Stir in yogurt. Add coconut, nuts and ground cardamom (if using). Refrigerate for at least 1/2 an hour until the flavors meld and then serve cold. Can keep in the fridge up to 24 hours before banana starts to turn brown.

Related Links:

The Lick-Your-Bowl-Clean Plantain Banana Split

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