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Leche con plátano
Banana milk
Leche con plátano: ripe banana whizzed with cold milk, the quick after-school glass of Chilean kitchens
Ask anyone who grew up in Chile, from Arica to Punta Arenas, what they drank after school and many will say leche con plátano. It is made in a blender in two minutes, usually at onces, the late-afternoon tea, alongside marraqueta rolls with butter or avocado, and it is the first thing many children learn to make by themselves. It is pale, foamy and thick enough to leave a moustache, tasting simply of sweet ripe banana and cold milk, sometimes with a pinch of cinnamon. The common mistake is making it ahead: within half an hour the banana turns the milk greyish-beige and the foam collapses, so blend it just before drinking. It is ready when it is completely smooth, light and frothy, with no banana lumps at the bottom of the jug. Use bananas with a few brown freckles: they are sweet enough that you may need little or no sugar. Chef's tip: slice and freeze overripe bananas, then blend them straight from the freezer; the drink comes out icy and extra thick without any ice.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
For the drink
- 2 ripe bananaswith a few brown freckles
- 2 ½ cups cold whole milk
- 2 tsp sugaror to taste; leave out if the bananas are very ripe
Optional
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
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What you'll need
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Peel the 2 ripe bananas and break them into chunks straight into a blender jar.
1 minStep 2: Add the 2 ½ cups cold whole milk and 2 tsp sugar, and the 1 pinch ground cinnamon and ½ tsp vanilla extract if using.
1 minStep 3: Blend on high for 30–40 seconds, until smooth, pale and frothy with no lumps.
1 minStep 4: Pour into glasses and drink straight away, before the banana starts to darken.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 27 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does leche con plátano take?
- About 5 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of ripe bananas?
- Mango, same weight (in smoothies and shakes).
- What can I use instead of cold whole milk?
- Semi-skimmed milk with 1 tbsp cream per 240ml (1 cup).
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