Smoothie tips

[berry99]

Okay, I know that this is ridiculous. I mean who can't put fruit, liquid, and ice in a blender and make a smoothie. Apparently me! We have a KitchenAid blender that we got 5 years ago for our wedding. Tonight I tried to make a strawberry smoothie with milk, yogurt, ice cubes, and strawberries. I just put everything in and blended for about 1.5 min. I also did the pulse thing a couple of times. I pour my smoothie out and there are still chunks of strawberries. I can't for the life of me make a smooth smoothie. Is there a trick to the order of ingredients added or anything? Also, do you think I might need a new blade?

TIA,

Karin

 

[acatalina]

Try the fruit and liquid first then add ice.
You are getting too thick. Try adding a little diet pop or juice to thin it out. I use frozen fruit and skip the ice.
Just a suggestion.( Like orange julius)But no powdered sugar.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina

 

[emackay]

Yes, I like to use frozen fruit, too - no ice (but I also use frsh fruit - just the frozen as the "ice" additive). Frozen strawberries take the longest to blend though - start w/pulses and then switch it to blend for the remainder. I also find that adding oj and some powdered milk makes it less thick than yogurt.

arancini

 

[kathryn]

I have a Magic Bullet, and I have to watch to make sure to get the strawberries (frozen) well blended. What works for me is pulsing, but making sure the pauses between the pulses are long enough for the strawberry chunks to drop down near the blade again. It takes about 5 pulses (pulse for the count of 3, pause for the count of 2) to get it all blended.

I also use frozen fruit and no ice (ice is too cold for my many crowns, and if I need to dilute, I just add some water or I use juice or rice milk as a base).

 

[mspina]

I've never used ice - I use either frozen berries, or I just don't use ice! Today was strawberry protein powder mixed with unsweetened soy milk and a cup of frozen blueberries. Yummy. Yesterday was chocolate protein powder, unsweetened soy milk, 1/2 banana, and 1 tbsp of soy nut butter - this is my all time favorite.

I just don't see the need for ice, unless you like your smoothies really cold?

m.

 

[kathryn]

Another way to get a cooler smoothie without using ice: buy some very ripe bananas (usually cheap!), peel them and cut them into chucks. Store them in a Rubbermade (or whatever) container in the freezer, and add them to your smoothies to add sweetness, texture, and coolness. It's also a great way to save bananas that are otherwise soon to be overripe (which seems to happen overnight!)

 

[kathryn]

>I just don't see the need for ice, unless you like your
>smoothies really cold?

I don't, either. And really cold is NOT a good idea for those with sensitive teeth/crowns! I even drink my water room temperature, and that's cool enough for me.