Applebee's® Bananaberry Freeze

Ah, if only kitchen cloning was an exact science.

While working on this one I saw the same bartender

make the drink two different ways on two different

days. Only after a firm grilling did I get her

admitting to her personal "improvement" to the chain's

secret recipe. The official clone includes the

ingredients found below. But if you want to add a little

pineapple juice -- as some independent thinking

bartenders are apt to do -- you might discover you

have indeed created a tastier version of this refreshing

smoothie. On that day the cloning gods shall be looking

the other way.

But, for heaven's sake, be sure your banana is soft

and ripe. This is a detail the gods won't ignore.



1 10-ounce box frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

1/3 cup pina colada mix

2 cups ice

2 ripe bananas



Garnish

whipped cream

2 fresh strawberries



1. Use a blender to puree the entire contents of the thawed

box of frozen strawberries.

2. Add 1/3 cup pina colada mix and 2 cups of ice to the blender.

3. Cut the end off end banana -- set these pieces aside to use

later as a garnish -- then put the bananas into the blender.

4. Blend on high speed until the ice is crushed and the drink

is smooth. Pour into two tall stemmed glasses, such as daiquiri

glasses.

5. Slice each strawberry halfway up through the middle and add

one to the rim of each glass.

6. Cut each banana slice halfway through the middle and add one

to the rim of each glass next to the strawberry. Top with

whipped cream and serve with a straw.