Secrets of the Best Chefs

Choi’s Favorite Banana Milk Shake

Serves 2 people or 1 greedy bastard

During my time with Choi, I asked him about something I had read

in Food and Wine: he loves milk shakes. “It’s true,” he said. “I

do.” So I asked him for his favorite milk shake recipe and this is

what he dictated. After making this at home, I can see why it’s his

favorite. It all comes down to one unexpected ingredient: a handful

of crushed ice. Usually milk shakes are so heavy and dense, you

nearly rupture a blood vessel sucking them up through a straw.

The crushed ice here lightens the mixture and makes the shake

refreshing rather than heavy. Make sure the banana is dark,

though; an unripe banana won’t have nearly as much flavor.

Vanilla ice cream (Häagen-Dazs or another quality brand)

Cold whole milk

A handful of crushed ice

2 teaspoons sugar

1 very ripe banana

A squeeze of honey or a squeeze of lemon juice or both

Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream in a blender. You want to

go heavy on the ice cream.

Add the milk so it comes up halfway to the level of the ice