Coolin’ Smoothies

A great way to survive summer heat is to whip up soothing smoothies to satisfy every member of your household. With the neat relief of a popsicle or ice cream sundae but a fraction of the calories, smoothies can pack a health punch.

They’re a complete breakfast for late-starting days, an easy mid-day snack or outdoor activity quencher, and the perfect end to a long sweltering day. What’s more, it takes no cooking prowess to make a great smoothie.

Substitute ingredients to suit your palate – yogurt, nut milks and soy milks for cow’s milk, for example. And for an extra health punch, throw in a quarter-cup of ground flaxseed.

Try these healthful and delicious smoothies!

Banana and Peanut Butter Smoothie

2 large ripe bananas, cut into chunks
10 ice cubes
1 T. sugar
1/2 c. milk, yogurt or half-and-half
1/4 c. peanut butter

Blend until pureed. Thin with milk as desired and add sugar if needed.

Summer Fruit Crush

1 ripe peach, peeled and halved
1 ripe nectarine, halved
2 ripe apricots, halved
a handful of raspberries
6 ice cubes
sparkling water, to taste
honey or sugar (optional)

Put all the fruit in a blender, add ice and enough sparkling water to make the blades run. Blend to a puree. Taste, then add honey or sugar if needed and enough extra water to produce the consistency you like. Make in big quantities for a party. Substitute sparkling water with cherryade or similar juice for children.

Leche Merengada

4 c. milk
1.5 c. sugar
1 curl of lemon zest, plus grated lemon zest to serve
1 cinnamon stick, broken

to serve:
grated lemon zest
powdered cinnamon
cinnamon sticks (optional)

In a saucepan, bring milk, sugar and lemon zest to a boil, stirring. Boil 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool. Strain into a freezer-proof container, cover and freeze.

To serve, remove from freezer. Using hand-held blender, beat the mixture to a creamy froth. Serve sprinkled with powdered cinnamon and lemon zest, with cinnamon sticks for stirring.

Coconut Milk Smoothie

4 large ripe peaches, peeled, halved, pitted and cut into wedges
1 c. unsweetened coconut milk
dash vanilla extract
2 T. sugar
6 ice cubes
zest of 1 lime and fresh-squeezed lime juice

Blend all ingredients except zest until smooth. Add sugar as needed. Serve in chilled glasses topped with zest.

Make Your Own

1-2 c. frozen fruit, any kind
1.5-2 c. milk or plain or vanilla yogurt
1 c. orange juice or fruit juice
1/2 c. sugar
Milk to thin, as needed

Blend all ingredients until pureed and well-mixed. Taste. Add sugar for sweetness as needed. If too thick, add milk and reblend until desired liquidity. Serve.

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