Cool down from the hot weather with some refreshing smoothies.
By Donna Zitter Bordelon
Whether it’s global warming or just some incredible heat and humidity, we’ve had some scorching weather thus far this summer. It’s time for some incredible smoothie recipes. Smoothies — those luscious, beautifully colored, refreshing, healthy, summer (or anytime) drinks — will help beat the heat.
APPLE AND OATS SMOOTHIE
1 cup ice (about 8–9 cubes)
½ cup vanilla yogurt
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. brown sugar
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
Into a blender or processor bowl, put the ice and blend/pulse a few times.
Add the remainder of the ingredients and mix/blend until smooth.
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY OATS SMOOTHIE
1 cup ice (about 8–9 cubes)
1 ripe banana, cut into chunks
1 cup milk
½ cup old-fashioned oats
¼ cup peanut butter
¼ cup fresh raspberries or strawberries
1 Tbsp. honey
Into a blender or processor bowl, put the ice and blend/pulse a few times.
Add the remainder of the ingredients and mix/blend until smooth.
BLUEBERRY KALE SMOOTHIE
½ cup ice (about 4–5 cubes)
1 cup kale, chopped coarse
1 cup coconut water
1 cup blueberries
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
Into a blender or processor bowl, put the ice, banana, kale and coconut water. Blend/pulse a few times. Add the blueberries and chia seeds and mix/blend until smooth.
STRAWBERRY LIME MINT SMOOTHIE
1 cup ice (about 8–9 cubes)
Strawberries (about 8–10 medium)
Juice of 1 lime
6–8 mint leaves
2 Tbsp. honey
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice. Add the strawberries and blend/pulse. Add the lime juice, mint and honey, and blend/pulse until smooth.
PINEAPPLE MANGO LIME SMOOTHIE
1 cup ice (about 8–9 cubes)
Zest and juice of 1 lime
½ small pineapple (2 cups), peeled, cored and chopped
Fruit of 1 mango
1 Tbsp. honey
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice. Add the zest of the lime to the blender/processor, and squeeze in the juice.
Add the pineapple, mango and honey, and blend/process until smooth.
COFFEE AND ICE CREAM SMOOTHIE
½ cup ice (about 4–5 cubes)
1 cup strong black (cooled) coffee
¼ cup milk
3 scoops chocolate ice cream
1 Tbsp. honey
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice.
Add the cooled coffee, milk, ice cream and honey. Blend/process until smooth.
BLUEBERRY AND ICE CREAM SMOOTHIE
½ cup ice (about 4–5 cubes)
1 cup blueberries
2 scoops chocolate or vanilla ice cream
½ cup milk
2 Tbsp. honey
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice. Add the blueberries, ice cream, milk and honey. Blend/process until smooth.
GREEN TEA AND BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE
½ cup water
1 green tea bag
½ cup ice (about 4–5 cubes)
2 cups blueberries
1 small banana
1 Tbsp. honey
¼ cup milk
Microwave or boil water and add tea bag. Let tea bag steep for a few minutes. Remove tea bag and let tea cool.
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice. Add cooled tea, blueberries, banana, honey and milk. Blend/process until smooth.
GREEN TEA AND PEACH SMOOTHIE
½ cup water
1 green tea bag
½ cup ice (4–5 cubes)
1½ cups sliced peaches
½ cup vanilla yogurt
1 small banana
1 Tbsp. honey
½-inch fresh ginger or 1/8 tsp. ground
Microwave or boil water and add tea bag. Let tea bag steep for a few minutes. Remove tea bag and let tea cool.
Into a blender or food processor, add the ice and blend/pulse to break up the ice. Add cooled tea, peaches, yogurt, banana, honey and ginger.
Blend/process until smooth.
(Questions or tips can be sent to Donna Zitter Bordelon at [email protected] or in care of the Times, 2 Executive Campus, Suite 400, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002)
Don’t forget:
Send in your favorite recipe for a chance to win a $100 ShopRite gift card. Mail your recipe to Readers’ Recipes, 2 Executive Campus, Suite 400, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002. Or email your recipe to [email protected]. Please include name, address and telephone number.
