Love Butter Pecan Ice Cream? You’ll Dig This Smoothie
Smoothies are my go-to meal. Headed to the gym? Make a smoothie. Can’t decide what to make for lunch? Make a smoothie. Nobody else home but me and the dog? Make a smoothie.
My rule of thumb for a meal-replacement shake is to make sure you get enough protein, healthy fats, some sort of produce, and a decent amount of calories to tide you over for a few hours. This one hits all the notes, and comes in at less than 350 calories for a little more than 16 ounces of creamy goodness. Compare that with 300 calories for a measly half cup of butter pecan ice cream.
The combinations are endless, you can satisfy your sweet tooth, and in just a couple minutes you have a complete meal in a glass. This shake was inspired by the gigantic container of Quest protein powder I had in the pantry. (Seriously: Have you seen the size of their containers?)
Most protein powders come in the usual chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, with the occasional cookie dough. But salted caramel? Sign me up. The flavor is perfect for the old ice cream parlor favorite, butter pecan. If you can’t find this flavor, vanilla would do, but the salted caramel gives it a creamy, buttery flavor note.
- 6 ounces unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or your favorite milk or "alt milk")
- 1 scoop Quest Salted Caramel protein powder (or a similar flavor of your favorite protein)
- 1 medium frozen banana
- ½ ounce chopped pecans
- ⅔ cup crushed ice
- Add all ingredients to blender container or cup and process.
Do you put vegetables in your smoothies? I mostly stick with spinach, but I once saw a recipe that called for raw broccoli (no thanks!). —Gail