Nibbles and Bites Issue #15: My go-to summer smoothie recipe 🍓🍓🍓

Plus, season your smoothies with salt, trust me!

I have very high smoothie standards - I aim for mine to be thick like a milkshake, flavorful and filling. My creamiest smoothies typically incorporate some combination of whole frozen fruit (berries, mango, pineapple, acai, papaya) and always contain at least half of a frozen banana and some thick icelandic or greek yogurt to achieve a creamy, luscious consistency. 

Sometimes, I go a little rogue and add things like nut butters, nuts or rolled oats to help thicken the smoothie, but I’m typically satisfied with a simple combination of greek yogurt and frozen bananas. I only use ice cubes in an emergency because they always dull the overall flavor.

Recently, I’ve been experimenting with different superfoods like flaxseeds, chia seeds and zen basil seeds, which are particularly high in fiber. But I can honestly say that none of these additions, maybe with the exception of nutty hemp seeds, pack much additional flavor. If I’m using them, it’s purely for a nutritional boost.

This week I wanted to share a quick and easy mini recipe to celebrate all the delicious strawberries that are popping up at the farmer’s market. My Summery Strawberry & Sumac Smoothie is such a stupid easy, frosty delight that really accentuates the sweet flavor of strawberries, and I plan on having it all summer long.

The composition of this smoothie is inspired by the layering technique they use at Erewhon (specifically their Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Smoothie). I wanted to play with different ways that I could make the smoothie look even more delectable, but the beet-strawberry and yogurt swirls are completely optional.

Also, a little PSA! Do not sleep on adding a pinch of salt to your smoothies. It will accentuate the flavors of the fruit and make everything taste a bit more heightened and fruitier. As a fun experiment, try a bit of the blended smoothie without salt, add a pinch, blend quickly just to incorporate it and then try the smoothie again. Notice how the natural flavors are more concentrated on your palate? That’s the power of salt and proper seasoning.

Below is my quick recipe - I hope you’re eating all the delightful fruits that early June has to offer!

---

Summery Strawberry & Sumac Smoothie

Ingredients:

½  cup frozen strawberries

1 cup fresh strawberries

1 small beet or 1/4 cup cherry or pomegranate juice

¼ cup frozen raspberries

1 frozen banana 

1 cup, plus 2 tbsps greek or icelandic vanilla yogurt

1 tsp sumac

1 pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Select one strawberry for garnish and slice it halfway through the center leaving the berry largely intact. Add half of the remaining strawberries, the beet and ¼ cup of water to the cup of blender. Process until smooth. Remove from the blend and place in a small cup for garnish later.

2. Add the yogurt, frozen strawberries, raspberries and banana to the cup of the blender (no need to clean). Add the sumac, a pinch of salt and 1/2 cup of water. Process until smooth adding a little water as necessary and scraping down the sides to ensure all the ingredients are blending thoroughly.

3. Add the additional 2 tbsps of yogurt into a clear serving glass and swirl it around the outside of the glass. Carefully pour as much of the strawberry-beet mixture into the glass as you’d like swirling it around the edge of the glass as you pour. Then, pour in the thick strawberry-banana smoothie.

4. Garnish with the strawberry. Serve with a glass or metal straw.

I spent way too much time looking at vintage strawberry wallpaper this evening not to share this!

Until next time,

Kristen