Summer Smoothies

Graham got a blender for Christmas, and has been using it to make very healthy smoothies involving spinach and carrots and such like. For a while I've been eyeing it up with a view to making slightly less healthy smoothies, and I finally pounced. Whirrrrrr yummmm.

Berry Breakfast

OK, this isn't particularly unhealthy, but it's the creamy kind that I like and Graham doesn't. He gamely tried a couple of sips, but then unfortunately I had to drink the rest of his. What a shame. This is quite tart, just right for waking you up in the morning, but if you prefer sweeter, substitute some vanilla yoghurt for the plain, or add a spoonful of honey.

250g / 1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
125g frozen mixed berries
2 tbsp strawberry granola (with freeze-dried strawberries) plus extra to top
125 ml / 1/2 cup milk
125 ml / 1/2 cup apple juice

Whizz all together and sprinkle some extra granola on top. Makes 2 servings (about 3 cups).

Monday Morning Mocha

This, on the other hand, is indulgence in a glass. I worked in an American coffee shop for a few months, and mostly stuck to plain old brewed coffee, but if I felt like a treat, it would have to be an iced mocha. A couple of shots of espresso mixed with rich chocolate syrup, topped up with cold milk and ice. In this smoothie version, the banana adds extra creaminess. And vitamins. Yeah. Definitely vitamins.

250 ml / 1 cup strong brewed coffee
2 tbsp good quality hot chocolate mix (I used Green & Blacks)
250 ml / 1 cup milk
2 bananas

Brew the coffee and stir in the chocolate while it's still hot. Leave to cool in the fridge. When cold, blend with the milk and bananas. Serve over ice. Makes 2 servings (about 3 1/2 cups).

Hawaiian Honeymoon

Once upon a time (was it really only six years ago?) Graham and I made our marriage vows on the beautiful island of Maui. One enduring memory from our honeymoon is the time we happened upon a smoothie bar - where you had to pedal your own drink! They'd rigged up bicycles to drive the blenders, so you picked your ingredients, pedalled as hard as you could, then sipped your cool frothy concoction under the palm trees. The ginger, lime and coconut in this smoothie recall the flavours we chose that day. A drink with some zing!

1 can (400 ml) coconut milk
4 lumps of stem ginger in syrup, plus 4 tsp of syrup from the jar
4 tbsp lime juice
2 cups ice

Blend everything together, and taste to check you like the balance, adding more ginger syrup or lime juice as necessary. Sip slowly and imagine sunshine and palm trees. Makes 2 servings (3 cups).

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