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I know what you’re thinking. A smoothie recipe? How original, right. Well the only reason I am posting this is because I learned a trick to making the creamiest smoothie possible. We’re talking milkshake creamy.
We got home from a family bike ride over the weekend and I was craving something refreshing. I make the same smoothie all the time and this isn’t my typical “recipe”. I had this humongous bag of frozen Tropical fruit from Costco that I am trying to make my way through (I usually make my smoothies with a mixture of berries) so I threw a bunch in my smoothie, deciding not to add ice for some reason (I always add ice) and the result was the CREAMIEST smoothie ever.
Then I got to thinking, well of course ice makes your smoothie cold and thick but those little ice particles result in a more “icy” texture. Adding extra frozen fruit in it’s place really made such a difference. I will have to double check this experiment using my typical frozen berry blend (raspberries, blueberries and strawberries) because now I am wondering if part of it had to do with this particular fruit blend (very few fruits with seeds). It was an interesting experiment…and it sure was good! The only problem is I like my smoothies really cold and thick so unless I have enough frozen fruit I will have to keep adding ice.
This is the most basic version of a smoothie recipe but it was so (oddly) incredibly smooth and creamy that I had to share as is. I usually add yogurt to my smoothies also but we were running low and I didn’t want to use them up so instead I added half a scoop of protein powder which added 15 grams of protein. I like the addition of protein to help make me feel full longer. Recap: more frozen fruit, no ice. Try it and let me know what you think!
- 1½ cup soy milk
- ¼ cup orange juice with pineapple
- 2 heaping cups frozen tropical fruit blend (papaya, mango, pineapple and strawberries)
- 1 banana
- ½ scoop vanilla protein powder
- Blend in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately.
Question: Do you put ice in your smoothies? What is your favorite smoothie blend? Mine is vanilla (yogurt), berries, banana, oj & spinach.
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A tiny bit of Xanthum Gum or avocado in green smoothies makes them creamy, too!
Great tip Melissa- thanks! Never tried adding either of those. 🙂
I never put ice in my smoothies! I’m not a fan of the texture or flavor ice adds- plus I don’t need it freezing cold- frozen fruit makes it cold enough!
So to support my experiment, are your smoothies ultra-smooth and creamy or was it some fluke I got with the blend of fruit I used?
No ice! I chop up bananas and put them in the freezer (its a great way to use the overripe ones that are too mushy). I use the frozen bananas plus frozen berries and soy or almond milk. I don’t even put juice usually, just a tiny bit of water if it is too thick to blend. Whole Foods makes one with bananas, berries, and pineapple coconut juice which is really yummy. If they add Spirulina powder, they call it a Swamp Thing becuase it turns green. Do you know what the benefit of Spirulina is? I’d love to put protein powder, but those usually mess with my stomach (even the soy ones). 🙁
Yes, I used to chop and freeze bananas too and then I just got lazy! I need to start again. I am wondering if it also had to do with the fruit blend I used and the lack of roughage from the typical spinach I use. I always use berries and all those seeds obviously affect the texture. Do you notice your smoothies being super duper smooth and creamy?
All I know about the spirulina is it’s algae- probably added for extra vita/mineral, antioxidant benefits. Haven’t seen that blend but it sounds good!
I always use all frozen stuff. I freeze my spinach my bananas, I even slice up apples and oranges and freeze them. So any way the general basis of my smoothies is (I have 5 children so my smoothies are huge):
3 cups water
2t fiber powder
2 scoops unflavored whey protein powder
1-2 handfuls spinach (usually purchased fresh then frozen once home)
1 banana (also purchased fresh, then peeled & frozen)
1/2 – 1 apple
1/2 – 1 orange
2 cups frozen mixed fruit (dark cherries, mangoes, peaches etc)
1-2 dates
Sounds delicious Heather! You put a lot of great stuff in there!
My favourite smoothie is really simple. It’s a blend of almond milk and frozen blueberries. It’s super light. So if i’m in the mood for something a little creamier, I’ll add a banana and some crunchy almond butter. mmmmm, so yummy :-p
My blender is a little finicky so I just use frozen fruits generally.
Yum. It’s hard to mess up a smoothie in my opinion! I am pretty happy with all the combos. I do like the addition of nut butters if I am in the mood for something more substantial. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
this is making me crave a smoothie! I think I need to start adding soy milk to mine!
I never put ice in my smoothies only frozen fruit and veggies. And YES! You are right! This particular fruit blend makes THE creamiest smoothies. I don’t use it very often. But when I do, totally creamy!
Yummm … I’m pretty addicted to one called Mocha Madness at the gym … but I’m pretty sure it’s more sugar than healthy! I keep thinking we need to start our days with smoothies … get some kale into the kids early! 😉
I almost always put ice in mine and use fresh fruit as opposed to frozen. There is a bit of debate about whether frozen fruit loses some of it’s goodness so I prefer it fresh. I do like the texture without ice though. You’re right that it’s much creamier 🙂
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I always make strawberry and banana smoothies, very boring, this has given me so many more ideas – thanks x
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