ISO: banana-free smoothies

[makedah]

I see smoothie recipes everywhere, but they ALL have banana. I don't like the taste of ripe bananas (except in banana bread), and I can no longer eat the ones that are just green at the tips because they hurt my tummy. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif Do you have any banana-free favorites?

[SusanT]

How about adding a cup more of your favorite fruit instead of the banana.

[Emdg]

There is a great book called Smoothies by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock that has all sorts of recipes. Here are two of my favorites..

Black Beauty
1 cup lowfat Vanilla Yogurt
1/2 cup grape juice
1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen blackberries (or raspberries)
Blend
Serves 2
cal 231 fat 2.1 fiber 6.4

Dangerously Red
1 cup low fat strawberry yogurt
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen raspberries
Blend
Serves 2
cal 209 fat 2.1 fiber 6.4

It really is a neat book if you are into smoothies.
Enjoy!

[ewatkins]

I think the banana is usually in there to add some thickness. Many recipes I see call for some frozen fruit- canned peaches, pineapple tidbits, etc. which I think does the same thing without the banana. I would just experiment!

[KathrynY]

We like the Tropical Tofu Smoothie from CL's Jan/Feb '00 issue. It includes fresh strawberries and pineapple plus vanilla frozen yogurt and soft tofu (a plus if you're trying to get more soy into your diet). DH adds a sprinkle of powdered ginger to spice it up a bit. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by KathrynY (edited 04-03-2001).]

[mightyh]

I hate bananas so I never use them in smoothies... I make mine with a big dollop of vanilla yogurt, a scoop of vanilla soy protein (if I'm feeling soy-ish), skim milk to taste, and lots of frozen mangos or berries. If you want some fresh fruit to thicken it a bit like the banana would, I tend to use strawberries. Oh--and I like to squirt some honey in, too, especially when using mango.

[KimKelly]

We do very similar to Schuh. Here is a "recipe" that I made up and my kids love it.

1 sm. can pineapple juice. One yogurt (we use soy - any flavor). 2 cups (or so) orange juice. A couple of drops of vanilla. I generous handful of frozen mango chunks (I get these at Trader Joes).

That is the main recipe, but sometimes I add strawberry, blueberry, or whatever else is on hand.

Here is another.

OJ
Strawberries
Mango Sorbet
Banana (this is the reicpe as written... but I many times just leave the banana out.)
Last time I added blueberries... it was really good!

Like said above, just about anything works... just start Mixn'!

Kim

[schuh]

I make smoothies a lot in the summer and rarely use bananas. I don't use a recipe. What I do is freeze various melon chunks -- watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydew, etc. -- often these are fruits I've cut up for the family but have sat around for a few days and are therefore a little past their prime. Throw in a blender, and perhaps add some additional fresh fruit (strawberries are good). Add whatever juice you have in the fridge -- I often have apple, as I have kids, and blend. You probably have to stop and stir a few times if you have a high amound of frozen chunks. Yummy!