ISO: New Smoothie recipes and a yogurt question

[brendat4]

I was wondering if anyone knows a good place to find new smoothie recipes? I've become a real smoothie fanatic lately because it's the perfect way for me to get my daily fruits. I know I can basically make up my own by mixing fruits & juices, but am looking for some new inspiration. Anyone have any ideas? Also, if I'm using yogurt in my smoothies does anyone know how long you can actually use it after the expiration date? My mom says she'll use it even if it's expired, but I'm not so sure about that.

Thanks!

[lorilei]

the yogurt question: Yes, definitely, you can use yogurt after the "expiration" date. It's usually a "SELL BY" date, rather than a "THIS IS BAD NOW" date. Not only that, but yogurt does not spoil as quickly as other dairy products. It may start to taste slightly more "tart" -- but you can safely eat yogurt for days after the date on the carton.

[sneezles]

I agree with lorilei but then I use sour cream and buttermilk after their "dates" as well.
Did a search for smoothies and found this:
http://soar.berkeley.edu/recipes/beverages/smoothies/indexall.htm

There are 67 recipes on this page. Hope you find one or two!

[LGBurns]

I just tried two new smoothie ideas that I thought I'd share. 1) I have started adding ginger to all my fruit smoothies. It's so good and is an added health boost (just be sure to mince it well before adding it). 2) the other day I was out of milk and mixed vanilla yogurt and orange juice with banana and berries. It was delicious! The vanilla yogurt and orange juice together tasted like an Orange Julius.

[Wendy w]

Linda, you have just described my favorite smoothie! I do that too!

[Getfitn2001]

I don't remember where I found these Smoothie Recipes, but I have tried nearly everyone of these recipes, and they are all excellent.

Strawberry Raspberry
1-1/2 cups orange juice
1 banana
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen raspberries

Blackberry
¾ cup apple juice
½ cup plain yogurt
½ cup frozen blackberries
1 banana

Orange Banana
1 cup orange juice
½ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1-1/2 cups frozen banana slices
sprinkle of nutmeg

Berry Cranberry
1 ½ cups cranberry juice
½ cup frozen banana slices
1 ½ cups mixed frozen berries
(strawberries, blueberries, blackberries combo)

Pina Colada
1 ½ cups pineapple juice
1/3 coconut milk
½ cup frozen pineapple chunks

Pina Banana
1 cup pineapple juice
½ cup coconut milk
1 ½ cups frozen banana slices
½ cup pineapple chunks

Kiwi Strawberry
3 peeled kiwi
1 cup frozen banana slices
¾ cup pineapple juice
½ cup frozen strawberries

Strawberry Banana (my favorite!)
1 cup orange juice
½ cup vanilla yogurt
1 banana
1 ½ cups frozen strawberries
Banana Split Smoothie
1 cup nonfat milk
1 ½ cups frozen banana slices
½ cup pineapple chunks
5 frozen strawberries
1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons sweetened cocoa (depending on your taste)


Orange Raz Frostie
1 cup orange juice
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt

Each recipe makes 2 medium smoothies or 1 large.

[patsyk]

Getfitin2000 - those recipes sound great! I just printed them off and plant to give them a shot this weekend! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[brendat4]

Thanks for sharing--I've already saved them in my cookbook folder. I can't wait to try them--especially the cranberry & kiwi ones--very interesting!

[sneezles]

Remind me again why it is we share info on this BB?

[kentgirl]

These recipes are from the Cool Coyote Cafe book. I have tried the ones below and they are my favorites. Hope you enjoy them!

Hawaiian Smoothie
Serves 2
1 ripe banana
1/2 cup pitted and chopped mango
1/2 cup seeded and chopped papaya
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lemon
8 to 10 ice cubes
Place in blender and blend until smooth.

Pineapple-Strawberry Fluff
Serves 4
12 oz (1 1/2 cups) pineapple juice
1 pint (about 2 cups) fresh strawberries
4 oz (1/2 cup) vanilla or strawberry lowfat yogurt
1 tsp superfine sugar (optional)
2 handfuls crushed ice
4 pineapple wedges, for garnish
Place in blender, and blend until smooth.

Coconut, Peach and Yogurt Flip
Serves 1
1 large ripe peach, pitted, peeled and chopped
2 oz (1/4 cup) sweetened lowfat coconut milk
2 oz (1/4 cup) vanilla lowfat yogurt
1 handful crushed ice
1 peach slice, for garnish
Place in a blender and blend until smooth.

Mango Fusion
Serves 2
2 mangos, peeled, pitted and chopped
Juice of 1 small lime
6 oz (3/4 cup) vanilla lowfat yogurt
2 Tbsp honey (optional)
8 to 10 ice cubes
Place in a blender and blend until smooth.

Red Currant and Berry Float
Serves 4
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1/2 ripe banana
4 oz (1/2 cup) frozen vanilla yogurt
8 oz (1 cup) white grape juice
6 ice cubes made with red currant juice

Place rasberries, banana, yogurt, juice and 2 ice cubes in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into 4 glasses and add a red currant ice cube to each glass.

Rainer's Chi-Chi
Serves 2
4 oz (1/2 cup Coco Lopez
3 oz (6 Tbsp) cream or milk
8 oz (1 cup) pineapple juice
2 handfuls ice
2 slices pineapple, for garnish
Please into blender and blend until smooth.

[ellielk]

Boy, you guys must have read my mind. On my to-do list today is to look up smoothie recipes. My nutritionist told me I should start the day with one immedicately after getting up and before getting into the shower, even.

[Linda in MO]

Originally posted by sneezles:
Remind me again why it is we share info on this BB?

Huh?

[kbucky]

Yogurt can also be frozen if you can't use it up before it spoils (ours goes bad usu. in 5 days or so)....then those cubes are GREAT in smoothies.

We were so into smoothies a few years back, and found that banana, yogurt, and a touch of honey, were crucial to our smoothie palate....anything else was added or subtracted with these staples always present. We mostly used frozen fruit for convenience.

My blender died awhile back, and I'm itchin' for a smoothie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif

[LGBurns]

Just wanted to add that my husband and I are having way more smoothies now that I have an immersion blender. It is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier to clean than a blender. I'd like to get to the point of having smoothies every morning because DH finds it helps him make it through the morning better.