Summer is here, and so is all the lovely, fresh fruit that it has to offer, so what better time to enjoy smoothies and other healthy delights. Smoothies are one of my favourite ways to get a good dose of vitamins, and a nice, natural sweet treat. Most of smoothie recipes involve bananas, usually for texture and sweetness, but this recipe does not include them, so if you cannot have or do not like bananas, this is the right smoothie for you.
It is quite simple to prepare, and requires about 15 minutes of time, making it a prefect quick breakfast or a snack. Fresh, ripe strawberries add plenty of sweetness, the yoghurt adds creaminess, and the cherries add just a hint of tartness to brighten up everything.
Adding ice is optional, but I find that adding it to the final blending transforms this into a lovely, almost frozen treat, resembling frozen yoghurt. And you will be happy to know that these freeze beautifully into healthy, delicious ice lollies. Simply omit the ice from the recipe, blend it thoroughly, fill the ice lolly moulds, and freeze for at least 4 hours.
Ingredients
250 grams strawberries, hulled
200 grams cherries, pitted
200 grams vegan vanilla yoghurt
200 ml oat milk
½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
100 grams crushed ice, optional
Preparation
Hull the strawberries and pit the cherries, and add them to a blender or a smoothie maker, and blend on the highest setting until completely pureed. Carefully scrape down the sides, and add in the vanilla and the yoghurt, and blend again, until fully combined. Finally, add in the oat milk and the ice (if using), and blend until either completely mixed, or with tiny flecks of ice still suspended throughout the smoothie. Serve immediately. Yields 2 servings.
Author's note: I find this smoothie perfectly sweet all on its own, but if you prefer really sweet smoothies, feel free to add some agave nectar or honey. And if you prefer smoothies with a thicker consistency, add slightly less oat milk.
