Fruit Smoothie (Frappe) Recipe

I love Smoothies. I love how they taste. I love how easy they are to make - just throw all the ingredients in your blender or food processor and push the button. And, I love their versatility. There is no denying how popular Smoothies have become. The combination of pureed fruit, yogurt (plain or flavored), juice, and crushed ice makes for a delicious drink that is chock full of nutrients. They make a great breakfast and are also lovely served as a light after dinner drink on a hot summer's night.

he Smoothie recipes given here are different from most in that they include frozen ices. You can use either a sorbet or a sherbet as both are made using fresh fruit (juices/purees), sugar, water and sometimes lemon/lime juice. Sherbets, though, also contain milk and/or cream, and sometimes even eggs which will give your Smoothie a rich and smooth consistency but it will also increase the fat content.

A good Smoothie uses high quality ingredients, that means fresh fruit at its prime. Some excellent fruit choices are strawberries, raspberries, peaches, nectarines, kiwi, cantaloupe, honeydew, papaya, pineapple, bananas, mango, and orange segments. You can also use frozen fruit, but use the unsweetened kind and do not thaw the fruit. Keep in mind that using frozen fruit will give your Smoothie a thicker consistency but you can add more yogurt or fruit juice to thin it out. Smoothies are best enjoyed shortly after making them as they do begin to separate over time.

Smoothie recipes should serve as a template only. Both the type and amount of fruit, sorbet, yogurt, and fruit juice can be adjusted to suit your taste. Although sweetness usually comes from the fruit and yogurt, add a little granulated white sugar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or even a banana if you like a sweeter drink. So, again, use the recipes given here as a guide and have fun experimenting with whatever fresh fruits are in season.

Strawberry/Peach Smoothie

2 peaches, pits removed and sliced

1 cup strawberry sorbet

1-2 tablespoons orange juice

1/4 cup plain or flavored yogurt

Strawberry/Raspberry Smoothie

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 cup raspberry sorbet

1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/4 cup plain or flavored yogurt

Lemon/Strawberry Smoothie

1 cup strawberries, sliced

1 banana

1 cup lemon sorbet

1/4 cup plain or flavored yogurt

Peach/Nectarine Smoothie

2 nectarines, pits removed and sliced

1 cup peach sorbet

1-2 tablespoons orange juice

1/4 cup plain or flavored yogurt

All of these recipes are made in the same way. Place the fruit in a blender or food processor and puree. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend or process until the mixture is smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.

Each recipe makes about 1 1/4 cups (300 ml).