MOCHA JAVA SMOOTHIE

From Ellie Krieger SO EASY


1 tablespoon sugar
2 rounded teaspoons instant espresso or 2 shots of espresso
2 teaspoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1/4 cup boiling water
2 cups nonfat milk
2 ripe bananas, peeled, cut into chunks, frozen
1 cup ice

In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, instant espresso, if using and cocoa powder.  Add the boiling water and stir until dissolved.  (If using regular espresso, stir the sugar and cocoa into the coffee until dissolved.)

Combine the coffee mixture in a blender with the milk, bananas, and ice and blend on high until smooth. YIELD:  2 servings

**To help your morning go more smoothly, put all the smoothie ingredients, except the frozen bananas and ice, in the blender jug the night before.  Cover and stash in the fridge.  In the morning just add the frozen ingredients and whir.