Healthy? Ha! Good one… but so tasty

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/01/2015 (4257 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Malted milk powder, a mixture of whole milk, malted barley and wheat flour, was originally marketed as a health supplement, often prescribed for invalids and infants. Antarctic explorers took it on expeditions. Later, it became a staple at North American soda fountains, its subtle taste mixing with ice cream to make malted milkshakes.

Here in Winnipeg, a favourite place for malted milkshakes was The Malt Stop, located in the basement of The Bay. Shelley Pfeffer asked if anyone had a recipe that might replicate the thick malts she remembers. Thanks to Gracie Johnston, who sent in her favourite recipe for chocolate malted milk. I also found a vanilla variation.

Loaded with ice cream, malted milkshakes aren’t exactly health foods, but they do call up nostalgic memories of a time when going to Winnipeg’s downtown department stores was a real treat.

Currently, we have a request for a good basic banana bread recipe. If you can help with a recipe request, have your own request, or a favourite recipe you’d like to share, send an email to recipeswap@freepress.mb.ca, fax it to 697-7412, or write to Recipe Swap, c/o Alison Gillmor, Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6. Please include your first and last name, address and telephone number.

 

Chocolate Malted Milk

80 ml (1/3 cup) milk

60 ml (1/4 cup) instant malted milk powder (see notes)

45 ml (3 tbsp) chocolate syrup

500 ml (2 cups) chocolate ice cream

 

In a blender, place milk, then malted milk powder, chocolate syrup and chocolate ice cream. Blend until smooth. Pour into a tall, chilled glass.

 

Tester’s notes: This delicious thick malt has an intense chocolate taste. (If you prefer a milder milk chocolate flavour, you could swap in some vanilla ice cream for the chocolate, or cut back on the syrup.) Gracie uses Nestlé Carnation malted milk powder, which she picks up in Grand Forks, N.D. Malted milk powder can be found in Winnipeg at some bulk food stores. Ovaltine, a similar malt drink powder available in original and chocolate flavours, is sold across Canada, but is a bit sweeter than the Nestlé version.

 

Vanilla Malted Milkshake

250 ml (1 cup or about 2 big scoops) vanilla ice cream

125 ml (1/2 cup) cold milk

45 ml (3 tbsp) malted milk powder

2 ml (1/2 tsp) vanilla extract

 

Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.

 

Tester’s notes: The mellow vanilla taste really allows the malt to come through. You can also use this as a basic recipe, swapping in strawberry, butterscotch or any kind of ice cream for other flavour variations. This makes a fairly thin shake. Add more ice cream if you want a spoonable malt.