Last Updated on
Just lately, Mr. Scrummy and I have been accusing each other of eating a weird breakfast. He insists that my toasted croissant with cheese, a whisked-up egg microwaved into a sort of omelette and a little smidge of tomato ketchup is disgusting and bizarre, while I insist that his banana and Greek yoghurt on toast is far more horrible and strange. Now come on, own up, I know you’re on my side.
Yesterday we agreed to disagree, and also that it was really a question of whose breakfast is the weirdest because, let’s face it, they could both be considered to be slightly out of the ordinary (his in particular … hehe).
Now don’t go thinking I’m super weird or anything, but a great many things I eat would never in a million years end up on this blog – you’d think I was crazy and never come back here again! Lately I’ve been making myself a mid-morning snack of peanuts with tiny chunks of cheddar cheese thrown in, for instance. Strange? Maybe a little. I think an old friend of mine that I once shared an apartment with can definitely beat me at food bizarreness, though. She went through a phase of mixing a packet of ramen noodles with a can of baked beans in tomato sauce for dinner!
The fact is, I’d be willing to bet money on the fact that you all have cravings for ‘weird’ stuff every now and again, too – or maybe even every day. After all, it’s hard to fathom food tastes out. I’ve always wondered how one person’s food heaven can be another’s food hell, but this is just how it is. Mr. Scrummy slathers a thick layer of butter on bread every opportunity he gets, for instance, whereas even a small smear makes me heave.
Anyway, it was this 5 minute individual banana & peanut butter pudding that got me thinking this way because it was born on a day that I had a terrible craving for something sweet and rich and peanut buttery. At lightning speed, I did a little online research and pulled together this pretty much heavenly little dessert (adapted from a recipe by Running With Spoons). With each spoonful that I shovelled in my mouth I ooh-ed and ah-ed and figuratively patted myself on the back for having made something so delicious in so little time.
The best way to describe this pudding is probably a cross between a super moist banana bread, a soft peanut butter cookie and a gooey pudding. Honestly, it tastes divine, and the best thing is that it’s actually pretty good for you. There are only 2 teaspoons (yes, teeny tiny little teaspoons!) of brown sugar in it and no butter or oil (there’s just the oil in the peanut butter). As I used almond milk, it’s totally dairy free, too. All you do is mix everything up in a little ramekin, bowl or mug, microwave for 2 and a half to 3 minutes and it’s done!
This was wonderful exactly as it was (reminds me of Colin Firth’s famous quote in Bridget Jones – “I like you, just the way you are.” Awwwww.) BUT, if you want to make it even healthier (and vegan, actually) you could leave out the chocolate chips (although I’m not sure that’s such a good idea because the little touch of melted white chocolate sent it soaring sky high into food heaven in my opinion).
While licking my lips after wolfing this down almost entirely to myself (although it’s big enough to share between two), I thought about how ironic it was that a lot of my baking endeavours often flop, at least at my first attempt, but something as quick and easy and spontaneous as this ended up being one of my favourite sweet recipes yet.
In fact I have a major craving for this again as I write. I would run into the kitchen and make it again except I’m going out for dinner tonight and don’t want to make this mistake again!
I’ll make it again soon, though. And next time I think I’ll eat it with a little scoop of ice cream!
Update: I just made this tonight and it overflowed over my ramekin. Lesson learned = use a large ramekin or mug for this!! 🙂
5 minute individual banana & peanut butter pudding
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon plain flour medium heaped
- 1 tablespoon almond meal medium heaped
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/2 ripe banana mashed
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- a small handful of white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Put the flour, almond meal, baking powder and sugar in a large ramekin (or a large mug if you prefer). Mix well.
- Add the milk gradually and stir until there are no lumps. Then mash the banana and peanut butter together, then stir them vigorously into the mixture until well combined. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Microwave on full power for 2½ to 3 minutes (time depends on your ramekin/mug and microwave strength) and eat immediately straight from the ramekin/mug (don’t burn your mouth!)
Tash says
Oh my gosh, this looks YUMMY! Pinning! Hahaha I looveeee hearing about peoples’ weird food loves! Just quickly; I totally understand the greek yogurt + toast thing! I work in a restaurant that serves brunch, so naturally our staff food involves lots of eggs, yogurt, porridge..etc. I am the only one who ever tries this combo – I don’t see what’s weird? It’s like pancakes and yogurt but without the oil, which is surely less weird?! And I’m totally defending your old flat mate…In England baked beans are a HUGE deal. Pasta and baked beans is one of my fav meals hehe! My bro’s throw it together with Ramen all of the time too 😉 Another amazing thing is mayonnaise with fries and ketchup with mac and cheese! Or eggs with brown sauce and fried toast…Talk about delicious dinner hacks 😀
All of the best things start out weird! The guy who invented cheese fries + cheesy nachos for example are just lucky that everyone happens to love cheese, right?!
Great post!
Helen says
Hahahaha … you’ve just cheered me up on a slightly stressful evening, Tash! OK, so I think I have to admit that I might have been wrong about my husband’s Greek yoghurt and banana and my flatmate’s ramen and beans. I don’t fancy it myself, but I accept that it might taste OK if I gave it a chance. I have to agree wholeheartedly though that mayo with fries and ketchup with mac and cheese is good. In fact, I dumped a big squirt of ketchup on the leftover pasta bake I had for lunch today, which is a similar idea. 🙂
Great comment – thanks!!
Judit |Glamorous Bite says
For the longest time I resisted peanut butter and banana together until had the pleasure to taste a pb + banana bread. Your banana, peanut butter sounds just as flavorful of a combo nothing bizarre at all. Mr.Scrummy’s breakfast ideas on the other hand are extremely inventive and well there are many who would find it even tempting… I guess 🙂
Helen says
Hi Judit! I only tried this combo of flavours recently, too, but now I’m hooked! I just loved that this little pudding satisfies a sweet craving almost instantly … but without being too unhealthy.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
It’s eggs for breakfast for me, and this pudding for lunch for sure!
Helen says
lol … happy to have inspired you, Tandy!
Shashi @ runninsrilankan says
Ok .so…your croissant and egg and your hubs’ toast and greek yogurt/nana combos – both sound great to me!! And bananas and pb are a winning combo – this pudding is making my stomach rumble!
True story – my roommates and I in college would have Ramen noodle cooking contests – and try to doctor up ramen noodles in the most creative way!!
Helen says
Ha … lol! My friend who ate the ramen and beans would have loved you!!
Ashley says
haha my husband constantly tells me that my smoothie creations are weird. Whatevs .. I think they are delicious! And 5 minutes to this goodness? Sign me up!
Helen says
Now, smoothies is something I’ve never got into, but I think I need to change that. Just think of all the weirdness possibilities!
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
I guess we’re all guilty of weird food pairings sometimes 😀 this looks absolutely wonderful and not weird at all though!
Helen says
Hi, Nora … nice to ‘meet’ you! Phew, so glad I’m not the only one. 😉
Thanks for liking this and not thinking it’s weird … lol!
Melanie @ Bon appet'Eat says
Ahah definitely there are things that should not go on our blog… I totally agree. We all need a little dirty secret 🙂
This looks wonderful and I am thinking this is totally a treat I could make at the office… Ohlala Helen, tu me donnes des mauvaises idées!
Helen says
Ah, mais c’est pas aussi mauvaise que tu penses … il y a juste deux petites cuilleres de sucre dedans 😉
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum! I love peanut butter + banana together 🙂
Helen says
Yay! Me too!