Super Smoothies

These delicious quenchers are the perfect warm weather treat and they are easy to whip up, too.

Smoothies can be a good way to give your kids a super nutritious breakfast or a yummy after-school snack. Plus, they're easy to make - just follow the recipes below. You don't even need to worry about exact measurements, unlike with baking cakes or breads. This means you can substitute with your favourite ingredients and create your own variations and develop a repertoire. So what are you waiting for? Grab your blender and get started!

Basic Fruit Smoothie, serve 2.
2 cups fruit, cut into small pieces and frozen
250ml cup liquid (milk, water or juice)
125ml yogurt (plain or flavoured)
Method:
^o^ Put the fruit (and/crushed ice in other recipes) into the blender
^o^ Pour in the liquid and yogurt
^o^ Blend until smooth. (you may need to stop the blender and stir the ingredients to get a smoother puree)
^o^ Pour into glass and serve immediately

Other smoothies combinations
Raspberry-Chocolate
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
2ripe bananas
6tbsp powdered hot chocolate
250ml cold milk
2 cups crushed ice

Blueberry-Banana
2cups fresh or frozen blueberries
2 ripe bananas
250ml apple juice
250ml vanilla yogurt

Avocado Smoothie
1 large ripe avocado
2tsp maple syrup or honey (or to taste)
1 cup crushed ice

Mango or Peach Smoothie
1 ripe mango (or 2 ripe peaches), peeled and cut into small pieces
200ml cold milk
100ml vanilla yogurt (peach or mango flavour)
1/2 cup crushed ice

Tips
* For a sweeter smoothie, use apple or pineapple juice for liquid. If you want it creamier, use milk or soy milk instead. And if having a healthy smoothie isn't your main concern, go ahead - pop in the ice cream!
* Freeze the fruits first before blending, so you get a cold smoothie. If not, add a handful of ice and blend it up.
* Freeze a smoothie and you have a Popsicle!

Source from young parents (June 2008)