Strawberry smoothie
(Offered picture — Yvona Quick)
Summer time is time for contemporary fruit — and fruit generally is a nice base for smoothies.
These blended meals don’t require turning on the oven, or perhaps a range. On a scorching summer season day, in addition they assist you settle down. In our hectic world, smoothies are fast, candy and filling — consolation meals that slides down simply.
In summer season, fruit ripens to perfection: strawberries in June are adopted by cherries, blueberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches, blackberries, plums — and smoothies are a great way to make use of that bountiful fruit harvest.
In the present day, smoothie bars are in style. Espresso outlets and well being meals retailer eateries supply smoothies. As a result of these fruit concoctions are deemed wholesome, they’ve change into a well-liked snack. However their choices may be costly, portion sizes too massive and elements lower than wholesome — packing on energy, sugar and fats. For instance, the 20-ounce Hulk Vanilla Smoothie from Smoothie King has a whopping 47 grams of added sugar.
Smoothies are a contemporary invention, counting on know-how like blenders and freezers for his or her thick, shake-like consistency. These blended drinks started with Waring’s introduction of the “Blendor” (blender) within the Nineteen Forties. Within the Nineteen Sixties they have been supplied as wholesome options to milkshakes. It was within the Nineties, nevertheless, that the one-glass meals grew to become in style.
When finished proper, smoothies may be a straightforward solution to enhance fruit consumption and increase fiber consumption. After they substitute junk-food snacks, they assist with weight reduction.
Well being-conscious individuals are searching for quick, simple, cheap methods to get extra fruit of their eating regimen. Smoothies use the entire fruit, not simply the juice, so they’re an excellent supply of fiber, which aids digestion, in addition to nutritional vitamins, antioxidants and different important vitamins.
Nonetheless, Mary Corpening Barber, co-author of “Smoothies: 50 Recipes for Excessive-Vitality Refreshment” (Chronicle Books), warns: “There may be a variety of hidden energy in smoothies.” That’s as a result of massive parts, added sugar and high-fat elements can flip your healthful beverage right into a thousand-calorie deal with.
These liquid treats are digested quicker, to allow them to depart you feeling hungry sooner. Chewing an apple or peach takes extra time than gulping down a smoothie.
Sugar is plentiful in commercially-made smoothies! Consuming an excessive amount of sugar will increase the propensity for diabetes, coronary heart illness and liver illness.
Creating your individual frosty, fruity refreshers is comparatively simple and low cost — and infrequently a more healthy choice. Start with a half-cup or so of liquid (fruit juice, yogurt, milk or water). Then add the fruit, and mix. For thickness, use frozen fruit or add crushed ice. Utilizing chunks of frozen fruit as an alternative of ice cubes retains the flavour sturdy and undiluted. A banana helps to sweeten and thicken the smoothie; flavorings like contemporary mint can add zip; some individuals like so as to add TVP or powdered milk to extend the protein in addition to so as to add creaminess and texture. The mixtures of fruit, dairy merchandise (yogurt, milk, frozen yogurt, soy milk, and so forth.) and flavorings are infinite — use your creativeness. Simply be sure you put the lid on the blender, and don’t use an excessive amount of ice or you’ll freeze the blades!
For scrumptious, wholesome smoothies:
¯ Use fruit in peak season — it actually does make a distinction in taste.
¯ Use fruits like bananas, berries, peaches, plums so as to add sweetness.
¯ Freeze the fruit first — utilizing frozen fruit rather than ice cubes doesn’t dilute the flavour
¯ Use plain Greek yogurt or powdered milk so as to add creaminess.
¯ Keep away from additional sugar, honey or maple syrup. Skip ice cream, frozen yogurt or high-sugar sherbets and sorbets.
¯ Bear in mind that many smoothie elements — like nut butters, fruit-flavored sauces, nondairy milks, even protein powder — usually embrace added sugar, so use them sparingly.
¯ For a inexperienced smoothie, add a cup or two of contemporary chopped greens like kale or spinach.
¯ Keep away from outsized parts.
Utilizing the following pointers, you possibly can create your individual smoothies from primary elements and your creativeness. Listed here are some concepts to get you began.
–
Primary Berry Smoothie
–
Substances:
1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, vanilla or berry)
2 cups berries of your selection (frozen if attainable) plus additional for garnish
1 banana
1/2 cup crushed ice
Instructions:
Place yogurt, berries and chunks of banana in blender. Mix till frothy. Add ice and mix a couple of extra seconds.
Pour into glasses. Garnish with further berries, if desired.
Makes 2 massive or 4 small servings.
–
Grape and Carrot Smoothie
–
Substances:
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
16 seedless grapes, plus additional for garnish
1 cup shredded carrot
3/4 cup crushed ice
Instructions:
Place yogurt, grapes, carrots and crushed ice in blender.
Puree.
When clean, pour into 2 tall glasses and serve. Garnish with further grapes.
Serves 2.
——
Creator of the award-winning cookbook “Backyard Connoisseur: Recent & Fabulous Meals out of your Backyard, CSA or Farmers’ Market,” Yvona Quick lives in Lake Clear and has two passions: cooking and writing. She may be discovered at www.yvonafast.com and reached at yvonawrite@yahoo.com or on Fb at Phrases Are My World.
