Just as flavored iced teas dominated the kitchen last summer, this year has a hot new trend: smoothies. Okay, so maybe it’s a not-so-new idea, but this summer will see the humble smoothie elevate to the trend-setting beverage of choice. To kick-off this summer celebration, I am launching my latest special project: Smoothie-licious. This project will feature all beverages cast under the umbrella of smoothies: slushies, frappes, freezes, shakes, lassis, sippers, and any other beverage concoction that can be classified as “frou-frou.” I may even through in some tea-based blends as well, since iced tea is still a summer staple.
The Internet is a goldmine of smoothie recipes, with websites like Mr. Breakfast that have a plethora of combinations for breakfast, dessert, or just a snack. Other websites, like caroleflower.com and Smoothie Web are completely devoted to all things smoothie. MyRecipes.com (one of my all-time favorite websites) recently wrapped up an entire month devoted to Get-Fit Smoothies and Shakes. I would recommend searching online rather than purchasing a book on smoothies, most of the books I flipped through featured recipes with ingredients I normally do not buy or even some that I have never heard of (oat milk? red currants? blue algae? I’m sure these things exist, but not at my grocery store).
The newest smoothie recipes feature unique combinations, such as coffee and Chinese five-spice powder, lemon and basil, or apricots and cardamom. Part of the current trend is to turn a smoothie into a complete, balanced meal with the addition of protein powder, wheat germ, and healthy omega-3 fats such as flax-seed oil. Like traditional smoothie recipes, most of the current recipes still rely on fruit, yogurt, milk or juice for taste and substance, herbs or spices for additional flavor, and ice to thicken the mixture.
I expect this special project to run for most of the summer, when herbs and fruits are in peak season. I will also use frozen fruits as I’ve been doing while waiting for summer fruits to become available. Also look for coffee and chocolate creations that might pass for dessert. I will try to incorporate some of the newer ingredients, like wheat germ and protein powder, though I tend to stick to a conventional fruit-and-yogurt combination.
So be on the look-out for something new, something different, and lots of things delicious in the world of smoothie-licious.
