Summer Smoothies Made Simple

Well, it's hot here.  As the temperature climbs up, smoothies are a good way to cool down.  I have been buying smoothies for years.  At $5.00 or more, the cost adds up. I recently realized that anyone can make a smoothie at home that is just as the good as the ones you can buy.  It is cheaper and much simpler than you think. 

Here are the basic ingredients you need for a smoothie:

• 1 cup frozen fruit
• 1 cup juice
• 1/2 cup frozen yogurt (or sherbet)

To make the smoothie, add the frozen fruit to the blender with the juice.  Blend until smooth.  Then, throw in the frozen yogurt and mix until blended.  This recipe will make one large smoothie or two small ones.  If you want it to be thicker, you can add 1 cup of frozen yogurt instead of just 1/2. That's it.  Can you believe it?

The best part of this recipe is that so many variations are possible. Trying new combinations of fruit, juice, and frozen yogurt means an endless number of smoothie flavors.  Here are a few of my favorite combinations.

Simple Strawberry

• 1 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

Strawberry Limeade

• 1 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup lime sherbet

Add more lime sherbet if you'd like a stronger lime flavor.   

Mango-Berry Limeade

• 1/2 cup frozen mango
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup lime sherbet

Strawberry Banana

• 3/4 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1/2 banana (not frozen)
• 1 cup apple juice or V8 fusion strawberry banana juice
• 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

Berry Pomegranate

• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 cup V8 fusion pomegranate blueberry juice
• 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

I hope you enjoy these recipes and have fun making your own combinations. As that old familiar song sort of said, its "Summertime, and the smoothies are easy!"