Yesterday started out well, with a morning run in cloudy 58-degree weather (perfect running weather). However, near the end of said run, a gnat saw me and decided my right eyeball would make a nice home. Note to Mr. Gnat: my being vegan does not stop me from hating you!! The last ten minutes of my run were miserable, and people passing by must’ve wondered about this girl running with one hand over her eye, trying to get the dead bug out. Luckily, the day got progressively better.
For snack, I resurrected an old favorite: Soy-free Banana Yogurt, a.k.a. Banana Pudding… or even Banana Whipped Cream! (How good does banana whipped cream sound?)
Homemade Banana Yogurt
(Or pudding, but I like to call this “yogurt” since it’s healthier than traditional pudding)
- 3 level teaspoons agar flakes (See below for substitution note)
- 1 and 1/3 cup milk of choice (I use Almond Breeze almond milk)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (or more, if you’re a cinnamonster like me)
- a tiny dash salt (1/16th tsp)
- frozen banana
- sweetener of choice
Ahead of time: Measure the milk into a pot and mix in the agar flakes. Allow to sit 5 minutes, then slowly bring to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, lower and simmer 8-10 minutes (most of the flakes will have dissolved, but not all). Turn off the heat and fridge uncovered until cool (at least 5 hours). Then scoop the base into a blender or Magic Bullet, add all other ingredients, and blend until super-smooth!
If you don’t want to bother with the agar base, you could always just blend a banana into regular plain or vanilla yogurt. Instant banana yogurt!
For tips making any flavored healthy pudding, see: Easy Pudding Tutorial.
I feel that way with your recipes – so many I want to try! I am trying to pace myself because I can only eat so much in 1 day haha =)
And I just bought agar from whole foods so I’m super excited to give it a try!
I remember you saying a long time ago you don’t really like soy yogurt because it’s too sweet but have you ever tried Silk plain soy yogurt? I don’t think the plain is sweet at all – I eat the vanilla because I need a little sweetness in my life!
I don’t think I’ve tried that one… I’m always up for trying new things, though, so thanks for the recommendation!! 🙂
I have been looking for a soy free option — thanks! I have a bag of Kuzu (japanese arrowroot), and I am wondering if that would give the same result? Have you used it before? I bought it after reading Alicia Silverstone’s book–she uses it often to thicken things. Any thoughts?
I am feeling your pain on the bug thing–I looked like I was doing some sort of kung foo running drill the other morning, just to keep them out of my face! I’ll take the bugs for now though, cause soon it will be snow here! 🙁
I’ve used kuzu for stew (https://lett-trim.today/2009/10/04/raisins-on-steroids/%3C/a%3E%29, but never for pudding. If you try it and find a recipe that works, I would LOVE to know about it!! 🙂
Haha, I’ve DEFINITELY had that happen to me during running– if fact, once I had about 4 different bugs fly into my eyes. What can I say, I’ve “buggable” 🙂 It’s not so fun at the time though!
I love agar pudding/yogurt. Definitely made all different kinds– pumpkin, banana, Alfredo, strawberry, cinnamon….. thanks to you for the idea!
I guess it’s a compliment? The buggies love you? LOL 😕
Hehe– last week there were gnats so thick for a few days that you couldn’t walk around without sunglasses!
I like to think I am organized– and I always wish my organization could be like you see in the office magazines. You know– perfectly positioned pencil cup with a drawer with little separators? Well, when I clean my room it always looks like that for a bit, but then it gets to be organized in a functional way! A few things out– but I mostly know where everything is. At least, I think I know where everything is 😉
I have tried agar, but it didn’t work very well 🙁 the base is still sitting in the fridge! Maybe I’ll give it another go soon.
VEGirl
So, this may be a dumb question… Agar is seaweed, so does it taste fishy? I’ve been curious to try it out, but not if there’s even a hint of fish. Lol. I see you make sweet things with it so I thought I’d ask. 🙂
If Katie doesn’t mind me answering you…
I’ve tried agar too– and it doesn’t taste like much of anything. And any taste you might detect would be eliminated by the add-in flavors. Hope that helps!
VEGirl
Like VeGirl said, it’s tasteless. But it was definitely not a dumb question!! And thanks, VeGirl. It is not only ok, it’s awesome if you answer for me. More discussion in the comment section is always a good thing. That way I’m not the only one talking, taking up the entire space with all my blurbs, which I sometimes feel dumb for doing ;).
I have been looking and looking for agar to make pudding, but I can’t find it! Where do youget yours, Katie?
I’m not Katie, but most health food stores sell it in the same section as the sea vegetables (nori, arame, etc.). Otherwise, Asian supermarkets have it too, but you’ll hae to ask where it is. It comes in powder, flakes, sheets, and bars.
Have you looked at Whole Foods in the Asian aisle? It’s made by Eden Foods.
Otherwise, do you have an Asian market near you?
Thanks you two! I will definitely check those places out 😉
I am insanely organized. Nothing is ever out of place in my house!
hahaha! yeah bugs are cray cray right now! i got bit on the ear by a spider today wtf! i’m super organized! if i misplace something, i can usually retrace my steps to a few usual spots lol. hey i love lists!
gosh, I just bought guar gum recently and I have another thickener but can’t remember which one. Now I’ll have to go home and check it out.
I LOVED how thick it made a fast shake, me and my toddler sat on the kitchen floor and devoured it.
so checking out your pudding/yogurt/pudding/yogurt dish.
and it’s JUST as important for me to LOOK tidy as it is to BE tidy.
but I love your relaxed approach about it. it’s probably more honest!
haha
sorry bout’ the gnat! EEEW
I love that it’s soy free. I’m currently trying to get rid of soy in my diet to see if it helps with some stomach issues I’ve been having. But soy is in literally everything!