Choc-Banana Bites

I don't think I've mentioned this yet.

But I've really kicked up my workouts lately. I'm pretty proud of how I am going, I go to the gym almost every day and I've really stepped up the quality of my workouts.

I actually bought weights the other day. Well, Mum bought me weights, but still. I'm doing BodyPump twice a week, plus my own strength routine, and doing cardio the other days (a combination of running and HIIT workouts). And I do pilates one day a week. I'm pretty proud of myself - I feel like this blog keeps me accountable and I like that.

In other news, my Mum was down in Brisbane for a conference and she stayed with me for an extra few days. I never get to see my Mum so this was incredibly exciting. We didn't do much; just ate, walked around Chermside Centre and spent a beautiful morning at Southbank (which everyone should do when they visit Brisbane).

I love my Mum very much, so it was great to see her. And she'll be back at the end of the month - 20 days actually. So it's a pretty good month for me.

And now onto today's post. I had a pretty bus day, and just got back from the gym and had to cook dinner for the roommates, so this is a short and sweet recipe.

These bites are all over the web these days - I actually had this idea independent of any blog, when I was making my chocolate nests one day. So you've probably seen them around before - they're not groundbreaking. However they are delicious, simple and tasty. I won't say much more, other than please make them.

Level of Difficulty: So easy it is not even funny

Average Cost: $

Main Ingredients: banana, peanut butter and chocolate.

Menu Options:You can add anything to these - coconut, kosher salt, jam, chilli - whatever toppings you please. Add any toppings you want before you freeze the banana. Next time I'll be trying coconut! I would also make these without the toothpicks and I add them to yoghurt bowls. Also a cute little dessert to serve at parties, or place on top of birthday cakes!

Makes 12 banana bites

What you need:

-          1 tbsp peanut butter

-          ½ cup dark chocolate (chips, melts, or cut up cooking chocolate works). Use at least 80% cocoa chocolate

-          1 banana

-          12 toothpicks

What to do:

In a large microwave proof bowl, place the peanut butter and chocolate together and melt in the microwave. Melt for 30 seconds, then stir mixture, then melt for another 30 seconds. If not completely melted, melt in the microwave at 10 second intervals until you can combine the peanut butter and chocolate together to make a thick chocolate paste.

Cut the banana up into 12 equal rounds. Take off the top and bottom pointy bits first.

Place a toothpick in each of the 12 banana rounds.

Dip the banana rounds in the chocolate mixture and using a small spoon, scoop the chocolate mixture over the rounds until the banana is completely covered by chocolate.

Oil a tray and cover it with baking paper. Then, using some kind of oil spray, spray the top of the baking paper so the banana rounds do not stick to the paper.

Place the chocolate covered bananas on the tray.

Place the tray in the freezer for at least one hour so the chocolate and bananas freeze. Serve the banana rounds cold.