Page 554 - YC Cooking School
P. 554
Fresh and Simple
yuppiechef.com/cooking-school.htm
How to make delicious fruity treats
Top tips for smoothies
Smoothies are quick and easy to make, healthy if enjoyed in moderation and offer plenty of
opportunities for experimentation with different flavours. Here are a few guidelines on how
to put them together:
Start by adding liquid
This is an important first step because the liquid insulates the blender blades and acts as a
buffer against the other tougher ingredients. Liquid can be anything from fruit juice to
natural yoghurt or a daily alternative such as almond milk or even coconut water. Liquid
coffee or tea are also great options for a smoothie base.
Remember this helpful ratio
A helpful ratio for smoothies is 3:1, so for every 3 parts of chopped fruit, add about 1 part of
liquid. Having said that though, there are really no hard and fast rules when it comes to
whipping up fruity concoctions, so rely on your personal preference for texture and flavour.
For a lighter, fresher result, use fruit such as berries, stone fruit, papaya or pineapple. For
creamier smoothies add bananas, or even a small amount of avocado.
Add a flourish of fresh herbs and spices
Fresh herbs like mint or basil are an absolute treat in a smoothie. Basil pairs beautifully with
berries, coriander with bananas, mint with grapefruit or papaya and rosemary with
pineapple. When it comes to spices, experiment by adding ginger, cardamom, cayenne
pepper, nutmeg and cinnamon in small quantities.
1/3