A DIFFERENT DATE SHAKE

A cookbook exclusive

My cookbook comes out in 12 days—crazy. So, for the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of my most-loved recipes directly from Third Culture Cooking. I hope that you’ll try them and love them as much as I do, and maybe even buy the book for more recipes just like them :).

You probably know this by now, but if you're new here, my recipe ethos blends storytelling, flexibility, nostalgia, bold flavors, and efficiency in equal measure. And my cookbook is a one-stop shop for all of the above. If you click ‘read more’ and scroll here, you’ll find more details on what you can expect from the other chapters (spoiler alert: there’s more than just recipes).

I’ve made this particular recipe countless times, and it feels like something you’d find at an upscale costal cafe that prioritizes wellness. The flavor is distinct but not necessarily one you’d be able to put your finger on, and it’ll leave you simultaneously wanting more and thinking, “what is in this”? Put plainly, it’s the kind of smoothie you’d think you had to buy.

Photography by Graydon Herriott for Third Culture Cooking

Excerpt from Third Culture Cooking

A DIFFERENT DATE SHAKE

A shake worth getting out of bed for.

A date shake, akin to a milkshake, in its traditional preparation, consists simply of dates, milk, and ice cream. While it’s delicious, it doesn’t exactly scream “balanced breakfast.” So, to make this dessert- for-breakfast a little more fruitful (pun intended), I’ve reimagined the classic with the addition of blueberries, bananas, and coffee.

Even though this is technically a smoothie, I didn’t want to use the name because it is so much more complex in flavor than what comes to mind when I think of one. While it’s fruit forward, it’s deeper and richer than your average smoothie thanks to the salt, vanilla, and cocoa powder (try to use Dutch-process; it really does make a difference). Salt and vanilla in a smoothie are non-negotiables for me—they take any smoothie to an irresistible, milkshake-like place.

As someone who can’t start their day without caffeine, coffee in a morning smoothie just makes sense. Nescafé instant coffee granules are easy to find and are always in my pantry, so I developed this recipe using those, but feel free to use 1 1⁄2 cups (360 ml) of your favorite chilled or cooled coffee instead and forgo the water from the ingredient list. You can absolutely throw everything into the blender and give it a good whirl, but blending the dates before adding any frozen fruit ensures a smooth drink with no chewy bits of floating dates.

2-4 SERVINGS | 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

3 Medjool dates, pitted

1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules,* such as Nescafé

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1⁄2 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt

1 1⁄4 cups (180g) frozen banana pieces, from about 2 medium bananas

1 cup (155g) frozen blueberries*

*Instead of…

Instant coffee granules, use 1 1⁄2 cups (360 ml) chilled coffee (omit the water) or 1 1⁄2 teaspoons instant espresso powder

Frozen blueberries, use another frozen berry

METHOD

Combine the dates, cocoa powder, instant coffee, vanilla, salt, and 1 1⁄2 cups (360 ml) water in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the frozen bananas and frozen blueberries and blend on high speed until smooth. Taste and thin with more water as needed to your desired consistency.