The Secret to a Delicious Thick Fruit Smoothie

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Almost any combination of ripe fruits, whirled with lots of ice and

almond or nut milk of your choice as a base, makes wonderful

smoothies. Melons, strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pears, for

instance, all make great smoothies.

 

The secret to a great fruit smoothie lies in freezing fresh fruit at

home -- an easy process that is worth the extra step (see TIPS below).

Making a smoothie with frozen fruit requires less ice, which makes a

fruitier, thicker, colder drink. Freezing quantities of fruit at their

peak makes sense, especially when you consider flavor and price.

 

TIPS FOR FREEZING FRUITS

 

Almost any ripe fruit can be frozen for smoothies -- including

strawberries, grapes, raspberries, bananas, and melons.

 

1. Wash, peel, and cut the fruit into bite-size pieces. Rinse berries;

drain on paper or cloth towels.

 

2. Dip bananas, pears, and peaches into 1/2 cup water mixed with 2

tablespoons of lemon juice.

 

3. Place fruit pieces about 1/4 inch apart on a sheet pan; freeze

uncovered until firm, about 1 hour.

 

4. Carefully remove fruit with a metal spatula; freeze up to 3 months

in zipper-style plastic freezer bags. Use fruit for making smoothies.