Smoothies continue to grow in popularity. Especially this time of year, on those warm summer days, who wouldn’t want a cool, delicious smoothie? Whether the smoothies you offer are for meal replacements or healthy afternoon pick-me-ups, there are endless possibilities! Try a variety of combinations and flavors that not only satisfy your sweet tooth but can also provide a fun and easy option for those you serve to get their five portions of fruits and vegetables into the day!
Creating your smoothie does not have to be difficult. Follow these basic guidelines to create your own masterpiece that will have the perfect consistency, texture, ingredients and flavor:
1. Start with the base. Always add your liquids first to prevent the blender blades from getting stuck from the heavier items you will add. Add 1-2 cups of liquid. Keep in mind that the juicier your fruit or vegetable choices are, the less liquid you will need to add.
Common Liquid Examples: fruit juice, milk, cool green tea, coconut water or iced coffee.
2. Next add your thickener. This will help create the right consistency and texture for your smoothie.
Common Thickener Examples: nut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, frozen yogurt, coconut meat, ice cubes or oats.
3. Third, pick your fruits and/or vegetables. Add at least 1-2 cups of either fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables to give the biggest flavor and most nutrients for your smoothies.
Common Fruit Examples: banana, berries, pear, apple, watermelon, peach, kiwi, pineapple, cherry or mango.
Common Vegetable Examples: kale, spinach, arugula and avocado.
4. An additional kick could come from a flavor boost! Try a sweetener or spice that can take your smoothie up one more notch!
Common Flavor Boost Examples: sugar, honey, maple syrup, dates, figs, cinnamon, vanilla, almond extract, nutmeg, mint or basil.
5. The final option for your smoothie would be a power boost. Power comes from additions that can ramp up the nutritive value of your smoothie.
Common Power Boost Examples: protein powder, fish oil, ground flaxseed, gogi berry or wheat grass.
Now…go grab your blender and begin experimenting to find your favorite concoction! The possibilities are only limited by your creativity! Happy Blending!
SMOOTHIE RECIPES
Tropical
1-1/2 cups Kemps 1% Milk
2 cups Kemps Plain Yogurt (341960)
12 oz Ice
2 each Banana
1-1/4 cups Tropical Fruit Mix
2 Tbsp Honey
Peach
1/2 cup General Mills Yoplait® ParfaitPro® Vanilla Yogurt (904760)
1/4 cup Powdered Milk
1/2 cup Kemps Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Peaches
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 each Heinz Honey Packet
Strawberry Banana
1-1/2 cups Kemps 1% Milk
2 cups Kemps Plain Yogurt (341960)
12 oz Ice
1-1/4 cups Norpac Flav-R-Pac® Fruit Favorites Strawberry Cubes (964270)
2 each Banana
2 Tbsp Honey
Apple Pie a la Mode
1/2 cup Kemps Whole Milk
1 cup Blue Bunny Quick Blend® Vanilla Ice Cream (990890)
1 cup Lawrence Apple Pie Filling
1/2 tsp McCormick Ground Cinnamon
Chocolate Peanut Butter
4 oz Kemps Whole Milk
1/4 cup Powdered Milk
2 Tbsp Hormel Skippy® Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Chocolate Pudding
