smoothies
Moderator: Marduk
Re: smoothies
Here is a smoothie "recipe" I have done for dinner group a few times--everyone has really enjoyed it. It uses yogurt, which gives it a nice creamy texture with minimal effort.
Basic ingredients:
▣ 1/2 can frozen juice concentrate (any flavor)
▣ Two or three regular-sized cups of yogurt (any flavor; fruit-on-the-bottom works well)
▣ Milk or water (or a combination of the two)
▣ Ice cubes (optional)
1. Put the yogurt in the freezer for an hour or two. (I think almost-frozen is probably the best texture).
2. Combine the frozen yogurt and juice concentrate in the blender, as well as ice cubes, if you decide to use them. Gradually blend and add more milk or water until the smoothie reaches the desired consistency. You may wish to use more juice concentrate; just start out with a half-can so you can make sure that the flavor is not too strong.
If the yogurt is mostly frozen, you won't need as many ice cubes. If you don't mind a runnier smoothie, you can probably leave the ice cubes out completely. Depending on your preferences, you might not even need milk, since the yogurt already lends a dairylike smoothness. I have tried adding 1/3 to 2/3 of the amount of water the juice concentrate calls for. I've also tried using little or no milk. Each method brings out slightly different textures and flavors.
It was probably unnecessary for me to write out an entire recipe--my secret is basically "add in frozen yogurt!"--but it was kind of fun. But seriously, try freezing yogurt and putting it in. It'll up the "smooth" ante in your smoothies.
Variations on the theme:
▣ Lime Rickey - Use grape juice concentrate and key lime-flavored yogurt. (I really like this one!)
▣ Superfruit - Use a combo of blueberry and pomegranate yogurts (I found some at Smith's), with apple juice or white grape juice.
Basic ingredients:
▣ 1/2 can frozen juice concentrate (any flavor)
▣ Two or three regular-sized cups of yogurt (any flavor; fruit-on-the-bottom works well)
▣ Milk or water (or a combination of the two)
▣ Ice cubes (optional)
1. Put the yogurt in the freezer for an hour or two. (I think almost-frozen is probably the best texture).
2. Combine the frozen yogurt and juice concentrate in the blender, as well as ice cubes, if you decide to use them. Gradually blend and add more milk or water until the smoothie reaches the desired consistency. You may wish to use more juice concentrate; just start out with a half-can so you can make sure that the flavor is not too strong.
If the yogurt is mostly frozen, you won't need as many ice cubes. If you don't mind a runnier smoothie, you can probably leave the ice cubes out completely. Depending on your preferences, you might not even need milk, since the yogurt already lends a dairylike smoothness. I have tried adding 1/3 to 2/3 of the amount of water the juice concentrate calls for. I've also tried using little or no milk. Each method brings out slightly different textures and flavors.
It was probably unnecessary for me to write out an entire recipe--my secret is basically "add in frozen yogurt!"--but it was kind of fun. But seriously, try freezing yogurt and putting it in. It'll up the "smooth" ante in your smoothies.
Variations on the theme:
▣ Lime Rickey - Use grape juice concentrate and key lime-flavored yogurt. (I really like this one!)
▣ Superfruit - Use a combo of blueberry and pomegranate yogurts (I found some at Smith's), with apple juice or white grape juice.
Re: smoothies
Mmmmm, sounds good! I'll try it sometime. My ex and I used to pretty much subsist on the orange julius smoothie mentioned in the answer and chocolate bars from the Wyview creamery. Ah, youth.