How to make a smoothie
Knowing how to make a smoothie can provide you with a delicious, refreshing, healthy snack. The following ‘how to’ shows you the basic rules of smoothie making, leaving you with the option for hundreds of potential different flavours.
Steps
1- The ‘liquid’ base. You need two cups of a liquid base i.e. milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water. Add the liquid to your blender before adding the fruit as this will prevent the blade from getting damaged.
2- The fruit. ¾ to a cup of your chosen fruit. Banana is a great base flavour and is the perfect consistency for thickening up the mix slightly. Berries, grated apple or pear, melon. mango, peaches, plums, and nectarines all work well. Add more fruit or liquid base until you have a texture you like.
3- Sweeten and cool. Add a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup or agave syrup if you need a little extra sweetness. Add a few ice cubes.
Tips
Have the smoothie a little thicker before you at ice as ice may water it down slightly.
If you make smoothies regularly, freeze your fruit as you would no longer have need for ice and they will last longer, however peel and slice all fruit before you put them in zip lock bags in the freezer.
A spoonful of cocoa powder, cinnamon, grated nutmeg or vanilla essence before blending will give the smoothie a whole new dimension.
Use vegetables- they actually taste quite nice with fruit. Spinach is one of my favourite. Even add wheat grass if you want that extra boost.
Avocado and cocoa powder- boom!!!