How to Make the Perfect Smoothie

While in Arizona, Geoff taught us how to make a perfect smoothie.  He had worked at a juice bar in a previous life, so he knew what he was talking about.

Recipe for Strawberry Appeal

Start with 6 oz. Orange Juice

Add 1/4 of a banana (beware the banana--it packs a strong flavor, so you don't need a lot to flavor your smoothie)

2 Cups Frozen Strawberries

Add 2 scoops (ice cream scoops) of orange sherbet

 

Add 1 scant cup of ice

 

Blend.  Use the tamper downer to push the ingredients into the swirling blades.
 

Mix until the mixture forms 4 distinct mounds and then the middle gets sucked down.  When the middle starts sucking down you should let it create a whirlpool for 40 seconds, then you'll know it is the perfect consistency and it is finished!

 

This is how real men drink their smoothies.  Forget the cup.

New Recipe:  Tropical Smoothie
 

Geoff makes his own fruit juice base to start this smoothie.

First ingredient:  2 oranges, peeled and halved.
 

1 apple, stem removed (keep the peels and seeds on)

I always made really foamy juice when I juiced entire fruits, but Geoff taught me the secret to a non-foamy juice; don't mix it at too high of a speed.  Be patient and keep it on 3 or lower.  It will take longer to mix, but it won't be so foamy and bubbly.

Add 3 cups frozen tropical fruit (this mix was peaches, pineapple, honeydew, and grapes).

Add 1 scant cup of ice.
 

Blend on high until the mix forms 4 columns.  Eat immediately.

Rebecca and Jonathan show us how to enjoy a delicious smoothie.

Other rules for smoothie making:

• Make sure that you layer the ingredients from the most liquid (first in the blender) to the most dense (ice last).  One nice thing about adding the juice first is that you don't have to measure it; you can just use the measuring lines on the blender jar.
  
• Yogurt makes a smoothie really creamy.  You can use just yogurt, or do 2 sherbet scoops to 1 yogurt scoop (use an icecream scooper)
  
• Don't use too much ice or liquid.  Don't overblend.
  
• Fruit dynamics:  Pair a strong flavored fruit (banana, raspberry) with a less flavored fruit (strawberry, apple, peaches).  You'll want 1 part strong flavored fruit to 2 parts less flavored fruit.
  

Thanks Geoff for the smoothie tips!  I had a great time with you and Rebecca and I've made some AWESOME smoothies, since I've been home!