Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This refreshing and nutritious smoothie is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a light dessert. It’s packed with vitamins and natural sweetness.

Yields: 1 large serving or 2 smaller servings Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (about 150g) fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled
• 1 ripe medium banana, fresh or frozen (for a thicker, colder smoothie, use frozen)
• 1/2 cup (120ml) milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk)
• 1/4 cup (60g) plain yogurt (optional, but adds creaminess and protein – Greek yogurt works well)
• 1-2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener (optional, adjust to taste based on fruit sweetness)
• 1/2 cup (about 4-5 cubes) ice (optional, if using fresh fruit and want it colder/thicker)
• 1 slice of kiwi for garnish (optional)

Equipment:

• Blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Drinking glass

Instructions:

1. Prepare the fruit:

   • If using fresh strawberries, hull them (remove the green leafy tops).
   • If using a fresh banana, peel it. For a thicker, colder smoothie without adding too much ice, you can slice the banana and freeze it for at least 2 hours prior.

2. Add ingredients to the blender:

   • Start by pouring the milk into the blender. This helps the blades move more easily.
   • Add the strawberries, banana, and yogurt (if using).
   • If you’re using fresh fruit and want a colder smoothie, add the ice.

3. Blend:

   • Secure the lid on your blender.
   • Start blending on a low speed, then gradually increase to high.
   • Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no visible chunks of fruit. You might need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times to ensure everything is incorporated.

4. Taste and adjust:

   • Once blended, taste the smoothie.
   • If it’s not sweet enough for your liking, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup and blend again until combined.
   • If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk and blend.
   • If it’s too thin, add a few more frozen strawberries or a couple more ice cubes and blend.

5. Serve:

   • Pour the smoothie into a tall glass.
   • Garnish with a slice of kiwi on the rim of the glass, just like in the picture, or a whole strawberry.
   • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips & Variations:

• For added nutrition: Add a handful of spinach (you won’t taste it!), a tablespoon of chia seeds or flax seeds, or a scoop of protein powder.
• Different liquids: Instead of milk, you could use orange juice for a tangier flavor, or even just water for a lighter smoothie.
• Other fruits: Feel free to experiment with other berries like raspberries or blueberries, or a few slices of mango.
• Thicker texture: Using frozen fruit (strawberries and banana) will result in a much thicker, almost ice cream-like consistency.
• Sweetness: The ripeness of your banana and strawberries will significantly impact the sweetness. Adjust added sweetener accordingly.

Enjoy your homemade strawberry banana smoothie!