# Your smoothie secrets **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 11, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266 "2006-04-11T20:15:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/1 "2006-04-11T20:15:55Z")
I tried making smoothies before, and it didn’t seem cost-effective and never turned out good. But then this morning I put some frozen fruit and soymilk in the food processor. It was a little bland, but it was a revelation none the less. I’ve been looking for good ways to get vegetarian protein for breakfast, and I could always use more fruits. I learned you can use silken tofu in smoothies…this seems like it could be a good thing. How well do cheap immersion blenders work? I can’t invest in a lot right now, but the food processor isn’t the best tool for the job. Any other tricks or recipes? ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/2 "2006-04-11T20:23:02Z")
I just throw frozen strawberries, a banana, whatever fruity flavor of yogurt, a dollop of 1% or soy milk, into the blender and let 'er rip. Not terribly sophisticated but it’s tasty and my little girls like it. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/3 "2006-04-11T20:23:27Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > How well do cheap immersion blenders work? > Any other tricks or recipes? Not great, unless you are only trying to grind up a very small amount of stuff. You can get blenders relatively inexpensively these days. Try adding stuff like: orange juice honey (like a tablespoon or so) a teaspoon of vanilla extract - this really punches up the flavor of a lot of this kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/4 "2006-04-11T21:20:11Z")
Tofu works great in smoothies. I do’t use too much so as not to lose flavor, maybe 2-3 cubes. Frozen strawberries, as mentioned, are wonderful and pack a lot of taste, and you can always freeze chunks of banana–that gives a great texture to any smoothie. Add yogurt and fresh fruit in any combination. If I’m in a hurry, canned fruit added to frozen fruit and a bit of yogurt also works very well, like mandarin oranges or pineapples or peaches. ---
**Author:** ![MissMossie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@MissMossie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissMossie)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/5 "2006-04-11T21:41:39Z")
If I’m having a smoothie as a meal, I’ll use a couple of handfuls of frozen berries, a sliced up banana, a container of yogurt, and then one yogurt container full each of oj and milk. I just throw it in the blender and press start. It makes one big ol’ smoothie that fills me up for quite a while. -Mosquito ---
**Author:** ![moonstarssun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@moonstarssun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moonstarssun)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/6 "2006-04-11T21:54:16Z")
I’ll have to try adding vanilla to my recipe, **romansperson**. It sounds yummy! I combine equal parts frozen fruit (usually a mix of blueberries and strawberries) with plain yogurt. Then I add a sprinkle of wheat germ, a little soy milk, and a little honey. I mix it all right in the cup with a hand blender. I’ve tried other types of fruit in them, but I like s’berries best. Another good addition would be ceylon cinnamon. It goes well with fruit and adds sweetness. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/7 "2006-04-11T23:23:04Z")
Try adding some protein powder (I use the strawberry flavor) to get the added protein you’re looking for and also to get rid of the blandness without adding unwanted sugars. And I love my cheap immersion blender – particularly the chopping cup. Of course it doesn’t have the flexibility of a larger blender, but for single batches of smoothies and yogurts, as well as chopping onions, nuts or whatever else, it’s terrific. We’ve got this [Philips](http://www.epinions.com/content_162752728708) one, but I think that model has been discontinued. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/8 "2006-04-11T23:25:33Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Not great, unless you are only trying to grind up a very small amount of stuff. You can get blenders relatively inexpensively these days. > > Try adding stuff like: > > orange juice > honey (like a tablespoon or so) > a teaspoon of vanilla extract - this really punches up the flavor of a lot of this kind of thing. Space and washing space is also at a premium, and anything I buy will be useful for at max 3 months. ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/9 "2006-04-12T00:44:57Z")
My morning smoothie lasted me for about 3 months before I got sick of it. It’s dirt simple and is packed with protein: ================= 2 large bananas, peeled 1 raw egg\* 1/2 cup frozen mango chunks 1/4 cup (really three or four) frozen strawberries 1/4 cup açai berries or frozen açai pulp a large-ish splash of cranberry juice or any of the “green machine” / “super green” / “looks like Liquid Hulk” juices Put the bananas in first, layer in frozen fruits, crack the egg over the top and pour in the juice. Run in the blender on liquefy for as long as you care to. If you prefer it a little creamier you can add yogurt, but I don’t like it so I leave it out. \*Important: your eggs for this should be cage-free, no antibiotics – this drastically reduces your odds of getting salmonella or other nasties. In several months of making this smoothie I didn’t once get sick. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/10 "2006-04-12T01:18:00Z")
I throw in a banana or two for easy mass, some yogurt and a tad of juice (or sorbet if evil) and whatever fruit-- frozen berries or somesuch. Secret ingredient: a bit of cayenne. Trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/11 "2006-04-12T01:23:11Z")
Question: What is the liquid that the fruit smoothie stands use? Looks like pineapple, but pineapple seems too expensive. Maybe apple juice? **even sven** , best wishes on your trip to Africa. You’ve added much to the boards and I’ll miss you. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/12 "2006-04-12T03:47:08Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Question: What is the liquid that the fruit smoothie stands use? Looks like pineapple, but pineapple seems too expensive. Maybe apple juice? > > **even sven** , best wishes on your trip to Africa. You’ve added much to the boards and I’ll miss you. Thanks, though nothing is anywhere near certain yet- I’m still waiting for some key phone calls. I’m betting the liquid is apple juice, which is dirt cheap and very sweet- it’s practically sugar and is used as such in a variety of places. Same deal with white grape juice. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/13 "2006-04-12T04:45:55Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > \*Important: your eggs for this should be cage-free, no antibiotics – this drastically reduces your odds of getting salmonella or other nasties. In several months of making this smoothie I didn’t once get sick. From [Salmonella prevalence in free-range and certified organic chickens.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=16300088&dopt=Citation) > [@](#): > > Many consumers assume that broiler chickens grownunder traditional commercial conditions will have more Salmonella than free-range or organic chickens, which usually are less crowded, have access to outside spaces during grow out, and are fed special diets. Despite these perceptions, there is a lack of published information about the microbiological status of free-range and organic chickens. A total of 135 processed free-range chickens from four different commercial free-range chicken producers were sampled in 14 different lots for the presence of Salmonella. Overall, 9 (64%) of 14 lots and 42 (31%) of 135 of the carcasses were positive for Salmonella. No Salmonella were detected in 5 of the 14 lots, and in one lot 100% of the chickens were positive for Salmonella. An additional 53 all-natural (no meat or poultry meal or antibiotics in the feed) processed chickens from eight lots were tested; 25% ofthe individual chickens from 37% of these lots tested positive for Salmonella. Three lots of chickens from a single organicfree-range producer were tested, and all three of the lots and 60% of the individual chickens were positive for Salmonella.The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service reported that commercial chickens processed from 2000 to 2003 had a Salmonella prevalence rate of 9.1 to 12.8%. **Consumers should not assume that free-range or organicconditions will have anything to do with the Salmonella status of the chicken.** ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/14 "2006-04-12T21:17:32Z")
I made one today with a container of black cherry yogurt (all I had around), a cup full of soy milk, a splash of grapefruit soda and a load of frozen cherries and strawberries. Delicious! It was perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-smoothie-secrets/352266/15 "2006-04-12T21:31:00Z")
Bananas are key to making a smoothie really hold together the way it should. Make sure to include at least half a banana in each batch. Frozen fruit and carrot juide add a lot of good flavor, and yes, silken tofu works beautifully to add protein.