Sharjah shakes were all the rage when I was in college. Although it feels like just yesterday that I was in college, sadly, it's been a while. It's a sweet milkshake with banana, dates (hence the name Sharjah from where the dates are supposedly from) and a malt drink powder like Boost or Maltova.
That's the time when milk shake parlours sprang up all over town and people of all ages dropped by for a quick relief from the heat and humidity that's almost always present in Kerala.
Amma and I have shared countless number of sharjah shakes in these parlours during our almost-everyday town visits, leaving with a full stomach and numb tongues. Ah, the good old days.
As if having a Sharjah shake almost every time we stepped out of the house wasn't enough, we used to make it at home too. "Packet milk" was bought and chilled especially for this purpose as the milk we used normally came from a neighbour with a cow (this milk was boiled in a milk cooker, cream extracted and stored away for churning butter that would later be made into ghee.. phew!)
Back to Sharjah Shake. Here's how we used to make it. I am sure there are countless variations out there trying to mimic the milk shake parlour versions. This is ours and it's very flexible.
More milkshake recipes: watermelon milkshake, dates banana milkshake, avocado milkshake, banana mango milkshake, mango avocado milkshake, apple milkshake.
Sharjah Shake Recipe
Serves 2
1. Chop up one ripe banana straight into your blender.
2. Throw in 4-5 whole raw cashew nuts or almonds.
3. Add 1 tablespoon bournvita / maltova / chocolate horlicks / ovaltine to this. We have tried even regular horlicks and that tastes good too.
4. Top up with about 2 cups frozen chunks of milk. I used chilled milk here because I was having this for breakfast. To get the authentic milk shake parlour version, freeze milk (in ice trays if you can) and break it up with a strong knife into chunks and then add it in. This will give a crushed ice texture to the drink. Also, using whole milk will enhance the taste (but of course!).
5. Pour and... go on! Bottoms Up!
Note:
Adding sugar is optional since the chocolate drink powder and banana will lend some sweetness to the drink. You can add one date or 2tsp honey if you like the flavour. We usually stick with sugar if needed but taste first.
Jyothi R
Hi Nagalakshmi,
I am hoping you would read this comment and reply. I was searching for your email ID, actually, but couldn't find it. My bad. It was basically to pass on a link to my blog. I am new to food blogging. I tried your Sharjah Shake and believe you me, this has been the best ever!! It was absolutely brilliant. And I thought I should spread the word. Its definitely a happy cause to work for. Anyway, do mail me your email ID so I can send you a link to my blog where I have put up your recipe for Sharjah Shake.
Cheers,
Jyothi
Nagalakshmi V
naagu.v[at]gmail.com
Nandu
hi there,
Nandini here from http://foreverfoodfantasy.blogspot.com/ Accidentally got hold of your lovely blog............... This is a completely new recipe for me, will try this evening..... I loved your tips for photography...........
Saptarshi
This is simplicity... Awesome.
dikrutti
havnt thought abt cashews.. Tnx
Rosh
Used to be crazy about Sharjah & Chickoo shakes in college...! Will definitely try your recipe...been a while since I have had a Sharjah shake 🙂
Aparna Anoop
can't we have a try with almond instead of cashew?
Nags
why not? 🙂 go ahead and try it!
ignomus
Loved the post.Yours was the first that turned when googling 'make sharjah shake'. Used to love when back home expecially in the humid climate there.
We I have experimented with it with bananas and icecream but it always missed the real SS taste, maybe bournvita was the missing ingredient.
Thanks for the post.
Anjali
Hi Nags. Humm ...Sharjah shake, had never heard of it! Just recently got to know from a friend who owns a food joint in Kerala that Arabian cuisine is well loved there. But will one get such a shake in Sharjah?
Nags
hahaha i don't think so Anjali 🙂