I have a penchant for baking recipes that utilize buttermilk. I find it adds a really nice tangy richness to things like muffins and scones. And truth be told – I kinda like the taste of buttermilk straight, although I don’t think I could drink a whole glass. Of course, recipes only call for 1 cup or less usually, and the smallest carton I can buy is 500mL. As such, I often find myself with a partial container of buttermilk in the fridge after baking something, and more times than not it gets forgotten and thrown out. This situation arose again when I made those kale, pumpkin, and cheddar scones, but this time I was determined to not waste that tasty tangy milk, so I put my thinking cap on and came up with the perfect solution – a smoothie!
The thought process went something like this:
- I need breakfast. I should make a smoothie (love my Blendtec!)
- I still have that buttermilk in the fridge. I’m sure I could use that – you can put anything in a smoothie.
- Lots of bananas on the counter – I’ll use those too.
- I’ve made banana bread with buttermilk before, I need something to make it “bready”. How about cereal?
- I’ll just add a few other ingredients to make it interesting. Should be good.
The cereal inspiration was from something I tried ages ago – using a flaky cold cereal in a smoothie a la Chocolate Covered Katie. It gives your smoothie some heft.
I jazzed up the smoothie with some cacao nibs, cinnamon, and cashew butter. It really did taste like a creamy, cool, drinkable version of banana bread. And now I think buttermilk will be on my regular grocery list.
Buttermilk Banana Bread Smoothie
serves 1
A quick breakfast smoothie that tastes like banana bread and makes use of that half empty carton of buttermilk leftover from your last baking project.
- 1 ripe banana
- 3/4 cup flaky cereal (I used Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup milk (I used unsweetened soy milk)
- 1 tbsp cashew butter
- 2 tsp cacao nibs
- 1/4 tsp vanilla
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
1. Put all your ingredients in your favourite blending machine. Whiz away until you have a smooth, creamy treat. Enjoy!
Note: Feel free to use your favourite cereal and nut butter when making this smoothie. I like Nature’s Path Mesa Sunrise, and it’s gluten-free to boot!
What’s your favourite way to use buttermilk in the kitchen?
Buttermilk in a smothie? Now that sounds unique… in a very good way. And buttermilk + cereal just makes it that much better. I rarely have buttermilk around unless I need it for muffins or something. Next time though, I know what I’m trying out with the leftovers!
This sounds yummy. Though I’m not sure how’d I’d feel about buttermilk in my smoothie… but probably totally worth a try! Plus if I buy buttermilk for this, I will have to bake something else, yes?
I like to pourit all over my naked body. JK!
I actually don’t buy buttermilk, I just add vinegar to regular milk – I am cheap like that! But that being said, I think I need to try your banan bread smoothie!
hmmm interesting buttermilk and cereal in a smoothie! I may have to give it a go.