Smooth(ie) Operator

photo via

Internet, I have been under the weather for two days. Fever, cold sweats, etc. What I'm saying is, I got chills, and they are multiplyin'.

ALSO, I am hearing that my site is up and down for a few people, which makes me stab. I am looking into it and hope it will be fixed soon.

Anyway, I'm feeling much better right this second, but only because I have a long night of lounging/television ahead of me. Meanwhile, I need your help. I'm about to order myself a Vitamix blender, and in order to justify the purchase I am going to have to make a whole lot of smoothies. So: what are your favorite recipes? Fruit ones, vegetable ones, sweet, savory, whatever. Hit me.

Comments

[gladcow]

my standard fruit smoothie recipe goes like this:
3/4 c milk (I like almond milk the best)
3/4 c pineapple juice
half a banana (I give the other half to my husband. you could use a whole one if you love bananas)
1/2 c frozen fruit (raspberries are the best)

my standard choc pb one goes like this:
1 c chocolate soy milk
1 banana
2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter
squirt of chocolate syrup
1/2 c ice

[gladcow]

oh, and, Vitamixes are the BEST. we've had our refurbished one for well over 5 years and we love it. Use it everyday. Smoothies are awesome in it, obvs. As are slushies. I also really love the soups and making thickened sauces in it (it heats up! because it's so FAST!)

[M. Giant]

A tray and a half of ice, a few big dollops of yogurt (Trader Joe's "Vanana" is my favorite) and, in descending order of priority, strawberries, a banana or two, raspberries, and blackberries (although the latter two can get seedy). Maybe a tablespoon of vanilla extract.

If the kid's in bed, I add a couple shots of rum for Smoothies After Dark. Damn.

[Jamie]

abchao, this is so exciting! I love making smoothies, and usually make at least one a day. Its such an easy way to get some fresh fruit and veggies into your diet. I love to experiment with different combinations, and have found that if you keep your fresh fruit and frozen fruit at equal amounts, you need to use less liquid or ice. I never like to use ice. Anyway, this is one I made the other day and really liked!
1 fresh nectarine
1 hand full of fresh baby spinach
1 frozen banana
about 5 frozen strawberries
about 5 frozen cherries
fresh blueberries
1/2 lime sqeezed fresh
splash of almond milk
1 tbs flax meal

so jealous about the vitamix! i'm checking craigslist daily for one... lol!

[Lg]

1 cup yogurt (plain or vanilla, Greek or regular)
1 frozen banana
A lot of frozen mango chunks (depending on how much smoothie you need)
Little bit of water or orange juice so the blender doesn't explode

That's the base mix. To that you can add any other fruit that is in season or that you like - strawberries, blueberries, peaches are especially good separately or altogether. Thin with more water, thicken with more yogurt or banana. I have recently confirmed that if you have enough fruit in it, you can use plain Greek yogurt and it will still be sweet enough. Makes it healthier!

From a long-time lurker and smoothie-lover

[Robin @ A Bird In The Hand]

When you are done with your smoothies you should make my new favorite salad dressing (this was also my fave when I was a kid but I never see it in the supermarket anymore. I guess it's too "70s"? So, homemade instead!)

Green Goddess Dressing (from Good Housekeeping):
Note - I doubled this recipe, and used light mayo and light sour cream. Also makes a great dip.

1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup loosely packed parsley leaves
1 T red wine vinegar
1 t anchovy paste, or one filet, patted dry and smashed with a fork
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground black pepper, or more to taste

Puree all ingredients in blender and let sit in the fridge for at least an hour. The book says it will keep for up to 3 days but who are they kidding because the night I made this, we ate it ALL.

Enjoy!

r

[sunny]

oohh.. a vitamix. enjoy!

My daily smoothie (and I'm cranky without one in the morning) is:

*1/2 to 1 cup of milk
*2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter (crunchy)
*1 scoop of cocoa
*1 tiny bit of sugar (I used to do choc syrup but find the taste of cocoa tastier and cheaper to make too)
*1 banana
*1 scoop of Chia seeds (I went off an antidepressant cold turkey and suffered terribly - the chia seeds have omega3's which calmed my stomach and magnesium which keeps my anxiety down - who knew?!)
*enough ice cubes dropped in to make it thick
*Add (1) bendy straw to the glass and you're good to go.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Nat]

oh, I'd love to get one, but can't justify the price in the midst of our renos... I'll make it a "we're done renovating" gift for the house. Please share YOUR fav recipes!! :)

[Kelly]

This is the Too Hot To Cook Shake, which I make pretty much every night in the summer.

1/2 cup oatmeal
2 frozen bananas
1 glass milk
1 heaping Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

Whirr the oatmeal until it's a powder, then add everything else. The cocoa is for the antioxidants, of course. This basically tastes like a delicious milkshake, minus the fat.

[Kelly]

OK, get ready. This is life-giving. 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup of coconut water, 1/4 avocado, small handful ripped mint, teaspoon vanilla, couple cubes of ice. Blend, sip, and feel your cells open.

[Tamsin]

My boss bought one a few months ago. He discovered by accident that you can make sorbet if you blend fresh fruit and ice. He's brought a few types into work and they are so yummy.

[saro]

This is the best comment section EVER.

I don't have a specific smoothie recipe but I've had good luck with a couple of dollops of tart yogurt (think Greek); sweet peaches and over-ripened bananas (or any fruit in season, really). I've taken to throwing in some lettuce and cabbage too - it doesn't spoil the taste at all. I squeeze in some lemon juice if it's too sweet or some raw honey if it's too tart.

[TERI REES WANG]

Summer Time Party Slushy = Ice + Fresh Strawberries + Fresh juicing oranges (the small ugly ones) + honey. Blend
Here it is from a very old post: http://terireeswang.blogspot.com/2009/06/coco-kelley-teris-orange-you-glad-its.html

And, my best Wellness Shot = Fresh crushed garlic + fresh shredded Ginger + Fresh squeezed lemon juice + honey.
About a quarter size or spoonful of each in a shot glass. Down it fast. And, follow up with a warm water chaser.
When it comes to colds... "kill it with a skillet"! Best before bedtime, otherwise you can ditch the garlic.

Be well.

[elsewise]

If you are one of those people who never has ice in the house, or who reserves that ice for Other Kinds of Drinks, it works just as well to use frozen fruit and/or frozen individual servings of yogurt (just run them under warm water to get 'em out of their tubs) - freezing is actually a lovely way to rescue yogurt that's about to go iffy in the fridge.

[Zoe]

I love me a good Avocolada smoothie:

1/2 of a ripe avocado
1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks
1 cup coconut water
dash of your choice natural sweetener (stevia, maple syrup, etc.)
liberal dash of lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

And if you want to make it super healthy you can add about as much baby spinach as you want and you'll never taste a thing! Get better soon and enjoy :)

[abchao]

Eeeeee! Y'all, I am so excited. I can't wait to try every recipe. Thank you!

[blake]

OK...I am a lovah of Spirutein {sp} Protein powder...try the strawberry version with the following:
COCONUT milk or rice or almond milk
EFA
frozen rasp, blueberries, strawberries
frozen nanner
and a big ol heap of Stoneyfield organic yogurt with the cream on THE top {the real stuff not lowfat shmofat}

yum to the max!
we used to have a daily SMOOTHIE then we had kids...now they get all the good stuff and I eat what falls on the floor.

[Becky]

1-2 frozen bananas
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tbsp carob powder
1 tbsp agave nectar
2 cups coconut water (or almond milk)

or

1 cup fresh pineapple
1 peeled orange
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp agave nectar
2 cups of almond milk

[EAI]

I think this came from SELF magazine originally:

1/2 a banana
2 frozen cubes of chai mix (the kind that comes in liquid form in a box)
1/2 cup of vanilla soy milk or almond milk

Delicious!

[Susan]

For me, frozen bananas have been the key. I keep a bag of them in the freezer and use one (chopped up) per smoothie. They help give a shake-like consistency and then there's no need to use ice that waters it down. I use about a cup of milk, a tablespoon of peanut butter (if I feel like it), and whatever other fruit I have/want.

[Stacee]

Jealous! I want a Vitamix so bad.

Here's a recipe I came up with for a blueberry/pineapple/spinach smoothie. Now, before you say yuck, know that it was good enough to win me some scratch from BH&G, so has been tested and approved by professionals! Give it a whirl:

http://www.bhg-digital.com/bhg/201008?pg=190

And here's a slight variation of it (sans the pineapple, b/c Trader Joe's stopped carrying my favorite frozen bag) that I also make all the time:

Go-go-go green smoothies

1 cup frozen blueberries
1 banana
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1-2 cups fresh spinach
1/2-1 cup water

The order in which you fill the blender pitcher is very important with this recipe. Begin with the frozen blueberries, then break the banana in half and add it to the mix.

Next, add vanilla yogurt, apple juice, and orange juice. If you don't have orange juice on hand, a spritz of lime juice gives a nice bite of acidity.

Finally, add spinach, and then water. Blend thoroughly. You'll want to play around with the amount of water, as optimal smoothie consistency -- thicker or thinner -- is all about personal preference.

Pour into glasses and serve with a straw. These (http://www.amazon.com/Endurance-Drink-Straws-set-4/dp/B000AUIN18) are my favorite. Fancy!

[Jen]

Favorite "smoothy" ever- Vodka, pineapple and lemonade. :) Feel better!

[Melanie]

My standard smoothie:
1 cup of soymilk
protein powder (as directed on package)
one handful of frozen blueberries
one handful of frozen strawberries
1/2 banana
a teaspoon of agave
a few ice cubes

Other variations:

Substitute medjool dates for the berries.

Substitute peanut butter for the berries.

Substitute ice cream for the soymilk, malt for the protein powder, and chocolate sauce for the fruit. :) I haven't actually tried this one, but it sounds good.

[Amy]

Yeah for you getting a vitamix! We love ours and besides smoothies we make soup, dips, dressings, even the best margarita on the planet. FYI, it comes with a great recipe book!

Amy

[marné]

I'm not a huge smoothie fan, but I recently made a coconut milk/cantaloupe/blueberry concoction that was like the best dessert ever in a glass.

[Jess]

This smoothie will cure ailments, energize you and make you feel super healthy!! It may sound a bit green, but it tastes good, sometimes takes some getting used to. I swear by this smoothie!!!! Enjoy your new vitamix!
Green Smoothie
1 avacado
juice of one lemon
6 kale leaves
1 handful of cilantro
1/2 english cucumber
4 stalks of celery
chopped fresh ginger
dash of olive oil
dash of balsamic vinegar
3 cups of water
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
handful of ice

sometimes we also add:
handful of string beans
brocolini
tomato
fresh peas

[TeresaH]

My Vitamix is hands-down my favorite appliance EVER. Smoothies are just the tip of the iceburg, I get a ton of extra veggies in our pasta sauce by steaming zucchini, onion, carrots, & red bell pepper then running it through the vitamix with barely half a jar of sauce.

Victoria Boutenko's book "Green For Life" has been my green smoothie bible. It's got sweet & savory recipes!

[gladcow]

I second the "Greens for Life" recommend. Victoria is an inspiration. I really like the "Weeds for Kids" smoothie in that book. It's basically mango and dandelion and it's DELICIOUS.

[phebe]

yay! i *love* my vitamix! my daily smoothie goes a little like this:

greens, greens, greens
frozen mangoes (or any other seasonal fruit that I have bought in quanity & put up)
celery
carrots
a shot of local honey
coconut water

heaven in a glass.....

[Piegota]

I love this one: 1 Mango + 3 Kiwi + 4 Fresh Mint Leaves..and few ice cubes. Yum!

[Jasper]

Easiest smoothie recipe ever (although def not as healthy as some others here!):

*use a single serving of yogurt and use the yogurt cup to measure all ingredients

1 single serving container of yogurt (Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla, Mango Honey, or Lemon are great)
2 heaping yogurt cups of fruit, any combo you like (I usually use Mango, Strawberries and Raspberries) (thawed frozen fruit works fine and is cheaper than fresh)
1 yogurt cup of water, OJ, pineapple juice, or what have you.

Blend!

[Weight loss liquid diet]

Internet, I have been under the weather for two days. Fever, cold sweats thanks

[Alexandra]

Sprinkle sugar or artificial sweetner (I use Equal) liberally over any kind of berries. Add a few drops of pure (NOT imitation) vanilla extract. After they've softened overnight and let off some juices, put them (with the juices) in baggies of about a cup or two each and freeze them. Put the frozen berries in the blender with an overripe banana, and enough skim milk to get the smoothie to your desired consistency. Add a bit more Equal or sugar or honey to taste. Delicious and relatively low cal, if you use the Equal. Freezing the berries eliminates the need for ice cubes.

[Torrie @ a place to share...]

<a href="http://torriesessions.blogspot.com/2010/11/go-get-those-presents-smoothie.html">my favorite smoothie</a> (simple, but for me- simple's good when it comes to smoothies).

[netrez]

The vitamix is going to change your life. Finally bought mine and here are my 3 faves:

BRAZIL NUT MILK
soak brazil nuts in water for 2-4 hours, then drain
blend on highest speed in vitamix with 2X as much water as nuts,
and a spoon full of coconut oil or coconut butter
it will be meaty, so if you prefer it thin as milk, put it through a cheesecloth

POST-WORKOUT GREEN MONSTER RECOVERY SMOOTHIE
1/3 c old fashioned rolled oats
a cup of that brazil nut milk above
1 banana
handful of baby spinach
heavy splash coconut water
ice

FAUX ICED PUMPKIN LATTE
1/3 c old fashioned rolled oats
a cup of that brazil nut milk above
half a cooked sweet potato
handful goji berries
heavy splash coconut water
ice
variable cinnamon + nutmeg + honey to taste

tell me if you try any of these :)