Three Ways with Smoothies

From fresh fruits to leafy greens, this is the perfect season to bring smoothies back into rotation. With a little culinary creativity, there are endless ways you change up your favourite beverage. Here are three that pack plenty of nutrients along with fresh flavour profiles.

INGREDIENTS

• Aloha Tropical Smoothie
• 1 small banana cut into chunks
• 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) chunks fresh or frozen mango
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) chunks fresh or frozen pineapple
• 1 cup (250 mL) milk
• 3/4 tsp (4 mL) ginger
• 2 to 3 tsp (10 to 15 mL) lime or lemon juice 
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut (optional)
• Honeydew, Avocado & Lemon Smoothie
• 2 cups (500 mL) chunks honeydew melon
• 1 small ripe avocado peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 cup (250 mL) milk
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh mint or coriander
• 3 tbsp (45 mL) lemon or lime juice
• Honey to taste (optional)
• Chia Cherry Berry Smoothie
• 2 cups (500 mL) fresh or frozen pitted cherries
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh or frozen raspberries
• 1 cup (250 mL) milk
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) vanilla or lemon yogurt
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) chia seeds or ground flaxseed

DIRECTIONS:
Aloha Tropical Smoothie

ONE: In a blender, combine fruit, milk and ginger. Purée until smooth. Add lime juice to taste and vanilla. Purée. Pour into 2 glasses; sprinkle with coconut.

Honeydew, Avocado & Lemon Smoothie

ONE: In a blender, combine melon, avocado, milk and mint. Purée until smooth. Add lemon juice and honey, if melon is not super sweet. Pour into 2 glasses.

Chia Cherry Berry Smoothie

ONE: In a blender combine fruit, milk, yogurt and chia. Purée until smooth. If using frozen fruit, you may need to thin with more milk or with orange juice. Pour into 2 glasses.

Recipes courtesy of Dairy Farmers of Canada.