Years ago, I had this idea for my blog of sharing a wheat shake recipe. But what I really wanted to do was tell the story of how it’s known in my family as the “cricket shake.” Now, before you freak out thinking we blend bugs into our shake, let me explain.
The story behind this recipe goes back about ten years ago, when my husband and I started dating. He’s fluent in English, even though he was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when he was young. Over time, he couldn’t help but adopt some American slang. My husband picked up some Spanish from his family, especially his grandparents and mom, but sometimes he mixes up words. On the other hand, I’m Puerto Rican, and Spanish is my first language.
Well, when we started talking and sharing the things we like, the topic of food came up. He started talking about this popular Cuban wheat milkshake called “batido de trigo”. However, he was saying “batido de grillo” which in Spanish “grillo” means crikets. And you can imagine my face when he kept saying “cricket” with such conviction. I was asking myself if I had a future with someone who love to eat crikets. I had to ask him multiple times if he really meant crickets. To clear things up, he took me to a Cuban restaurant in Miami, where I finally realized that what he meant was “trigo.” Needless to say, I was relieved to know he wasn’t an insect-eater. Thank goodness!
The wheat shake, like any recipe, has different variations when it comes to ingredients. But the star of the show, of course, is wheat cereal. In case you’ve never seen or tried it before, here’s a close-up image for you. Trust me, it’s much tastier than it sounds!
For the cereal, I personally prefer the unsweetened variety, but I understand it can be hard to find. If that’s the case, I recommend using the wheat cereal from the popular brand “Honey Smacks.”
Now, let’s talk about sugar. The combination of granulated sugar and condensed milk really enhances the flavor of the shake. If you want to control the sugar content, feel free to reduce both measurements. If you’re using the Honey Smacks cereal, which is already sweetened, I recommend cutting the sugar measurement in half and adjusting it to your taste preferences. I wouldn’t advise substituting Splenda or Stevia for sugar, as it may affect the taste.
In the recipe notes, I’ve provided variations for making a vegan version or for those who avoid dairy products. Coconut condensed milk is a great alternative that adds a delicious touch without being overly sweet like regular condensed milk.
Before you start blending everything together, make sure you have all the ingredients measured and ready.
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable mixture, be sure to thoroughly mix all the ingredients. If not properly mixed, the texture can become grainy and unpleasant. The blending time may vary depending on the blender you use, but I would recommend blending for approximately 3 to 5 minutes. This should help achieve the desired consistency.
Once you finish blending the ingredients, serve immediately.
Below, I share the video of the recipe so that you can have it as a reference.
I hope you like this recipe.
Enjoy it!
Puffed Wheat Shake (Cuban Stye)
Ingredients
- 4 cups puffed wheat cereal, unsweetened
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients and blend until well combined and the ice is completely crushed. The blending time may vary between 3 to 5 minutes depending on your blender.
- Serve and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- If you want to reduce sugar consumption, you can use 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of condensed milk.
- While it’s possible to prepare the shake without condensed milk, I highly recommend using it as it adds a creamier flavor.
- For vegan options, replace regular milk with unsweetened soy, almond, or coconut milk. You can also substitute condensed milk with coconut condensed milk, which can be found in select supermarkets and adds a delicious twist to the shake.
Did you make this recipe?
Drop a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. And if you want to stay updated with more awesome stuff, make sure to follow me on social media at @simplerojoblog.