How to Make a Fruit Smoothie With Frozen Fruit
I am going to tell you how to make a fruit smoothie with frozen fruit. While fresh fruit can be made to use smoothies, frozen fruit is actually a better choice because it gives the smoothie an icy consistency, which is particularly refreshing on a hot day. I have tried a lot of smoothie recipes with frozen fruit and perfected them to come up with my own variations worthy of being published here.
A Note on Freezing Fruit
If you only have fresh fruit on hand and want to make a frozen fruit smoothie, you could always freeze the fruit beforehand. While freezing fruit long-term is a bit complicated, if you are planning to use it right away, the method is much simpler. Just wash your fruit, peel it has skin, remove any pits or seeds, chop, and stick in a freezer bag in your freezer for a few hours. More advanced techniques on freezing fruit will be the subject of a future post.
Frozen fruit smoothies are fast, easy, and very healthy. Keeping frozen fruit on hand makes it convenient to make these smoothies even when your favorite fruits are not in season. If you don’t have a blender and want to know how to make a smoothie with frozen fruit without one, you could use an immersion blender set to low or even a food processor. Vigorous whisking works for other types of smoothies but frozen fruit is too hard to be blended without a motorized device.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Lily’s Frozen Berry Smoothie Recipe
Serves 2
The most common frozen fruit used to make smoothies is berries. There are countless variations but this one is always a winner. It’s well-balanced, not too sweet, and has just the right amount of fruit. Don’t forget part of the fun of making smoothies is experimenting so feel free to tweak it to suit your tastes!
1 cup frozen strawberries
½ cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup milk or yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup ice
Place all the ingredients except for the ice in a blender and process until smooth. Then add the ice in two batches and blend until it reaches your desired consistency.
Basic Frozen Fruit Smoothie Recipe
This is a generic recipe that tells you how to make smoothies with frozen fruit of any kind. This is a general guideline that lists amounts of fruit, yogurt, ice, and milk to help you get the right consistency but it’s certainly open to interpretation.
1 cup mixed frozen fruit
1 cup ice
1 cup liquid (juice/milk)
Blend ingredients together.
Frozen Banana Smoothie Recipe
Serves 4
Frozen bananas turn into a magical consistency when they are put through a blender, very similar to frozen yogurt. This smoothie has the consistency of a milkshake yet is much healthier- the best of both worlds!
2 cups milk
3 frozen bananas
1 tablespoon honey
¼ tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Suggested add-ins: 1 tablespoon peanut butter, chocolate syrup, berries
Healthy Smoothie Recipes With Frozen Fruit
Smoothies are a great choice for those watching their waistline because they are so adaptable and full of healthy ingredients. Not only that, they’re quite filling so they help keep hunger and cravings at bay. If you want to know how to make a fruit smoothie with frozen fruit that is low in fat and healthy, here is the best way!
Serves 2
2 frozen bananas
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup frozen fruits of your choice
½ cup fruit juice, skim milk, or fat free yogurt
Blend all the ingredients together and serve cold. Ice isn’t necessary but can be added if you prefer an icy texture.
We welcome you to share your smoothie recipes with frozen fruit by adding a comment below. Also, let us know your thoughts on these recipes after you try them. We love to hear from you!
How to Make a Vanilla Milkshake
If you are wondering how to make a vanilla milkshake, you will probably be surprised to find out just how easy it is. This classic favorite has stood the test of time for its simplicity as well as its soothing, comforting flavor.
Making a vanilla milkshake is something that has a lot of room for experimenting. The basic ingredients are ice cream and milk, but there are countless variations that add different twists on this classic frosty beverage.
Here a few vanilla milkshake recipes that I’ve selected that should meet every taste. Once you know how to make vanilla milkshakes, it’s really up to you to make it your own and add what you like. Some things you might want to add include berries, crushed up cookies, and flavored extracts like almond. The sky is the limit!
Classic Vanilla Milkshake Recipe With Ice Cream
Serves 4
One thing all vanilla milkshake recipes have in common is their flexibility. The amounts listed will make a shake of medium consistency. If you like thick milkshakes, use less milk. If it turns out too runny, add more ice cream at the end. If you prefer thinner shakes, add extra milk. Using vanilla extract heightens the vanilla flavor but you can certainly omit it if you don’t have any on hand.
4 cups vanilla ice cream
2 cups milk
½ tablespoon vanilla extract
Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
Serving them in a tall clear glass that has been placed in the freezer for 15 minutes beforehand helps keep the shake from melting.
Vanilla Milkshake Recipe Without Ice Cream
Serves 1
If you want to make a vanilla milkshake without ice cream, it is possible but won’t have the same consistency as a traditional shake. Adding a bit of creamer if you have any on hand can help emulsify the drink. You can also add plain or vanilla yogurt to give the shake a bit more body. I’ve given ingredients for just one on this recipe because if you’re asking how to make a vanilla milkshake without ice cream, chances are you’re satisfying a last-minute craving.
1 cup milk, half and half, or cream
1 cup ice cubes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
Put the milk/half and half/cream, vanilla, and sugar in a blender and pulse until blended. Slowly add the ice cubes until your shake reaches the desired consistency. You may not use all the ice cubes or you may need extra, depending on how thick you like your shake.
Lowfat Vanilla Milkshake Recipe
If you are watching your diet but crave the taste of a vanilla milkshake, this lowfat version is close enough to the real thing to satisfy your cravings without any of the guilt!
2 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup skim milk
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth, adding extra milk if you prefer thinner shakes.
What is your favorite recipe for vanilla milkshake, variation, or topping? Leave a comment below and share with our readers!
Drink Dispenser
A drink dispenser is a very useful device for anyone who hosts gatherings both large and small. Serving hot or cold drinks with ease is sometimes hindered by a lack of appropriate dispensing apparatus. In the case of drinks, it can be an uphill task trying to serve many guests using a small kettle or jug. It is not only tiresome but it is also not very practical to be constantly running to the fridge or coffee maker to refill beverages for all of your guests. That’s where drink dispensers come in handy. A drink dispenser is a container that can hold a significant amount of liquid and is fitted with a spouting outlet for easy dispensing of drinks. Beverage dispensers are specifically made for multiple servings and can be easily placed in a strategic location for serving drinks.
There are different types of dispensers ranging from simple domestic varieties to high-specification models that have special features such as mixers and self cleaning. The type of dispenser used also varies between electric and non-electric models. The electrical powered ones are able to keep drinks either hot or cold and some have rotary mixers that are constantly mixing the drink (for example, fresh juice dispensers).
Advantages of a Drink Dispenser
• They are usually able to contain a high amount of liquid which means that they do not require refilling constantly.
• The portable varieties can be moved around easily thereby making it effortless to place it in a strategic area.
• It is very convenient for serving large gatherings of people
• They come in various shapes, colors, and sizes so there is a great variety to choose from and they can also be custom made.
Various Materials used to make dispensers
• Glass
• Plastic
• Ceramic
• Acrylic
Drink dispensers are made for specific drinks although there are some that are multi-purpose. Some of the common dispenser types are listed below:
• Water dispensers – which are common in institutions and homes
• Coffee dispensers – some people cannot exist without one of these
• Juice dispenser – some of these also double up as juice extractors
• Frozen drink dispenser – ideal for slushes, smoothies, and milkshakes
• General beverage dispensers are multipurpose devices that can be used to serve various types of drinks
They type of dispenser that you use will therefore be dependent on the beverage that you intend to serve using it. Esthetics also play a large role in drink preparation and serving therefore the design (and sometimes color) is important when picking out the right product. An appealing color can help in making a drink more appetizing so you need to take this into consideration, particularly if you are buying a commercial drink dispenser and/or selling the beverage in question.
You might also want to consider a drink dispenser stand. This can be a great way to help your drink dispenser blend into the décor of the room or theme of the party. Many options exist, from elegant to playful, and many have multiple uses beyond simply holding the dispenser.
When purchasing your drink dispenser machine, be sure to pay attention to the terms and conditions, for example:
• Returned goods policy
• Warranty
• Appliance insurance
• After sales service
Shaved Ice Machines
If you have a sweet tooth or you crave icy cold treats, shaved ice machines are the perfect gadgets to invest in. A shaved ice machine will allow you to make you very own shaved ice treats in the comfort of your own home. Shaved ice which is sometimes called Hawaiian shaved ice, is a sweet treat that is ice based. It is made by shaving off the surface of an ice block. The shaved ice machine is therefore made in a way that allows it to scrape off the ice thus producing a snow-like product. Other products such as syrup and flavoring are then added to the ice to make a tasty delight.
Uses for a Shaved Ice Machine
Hawaiian shaved ice machines can make a fun treat for children. They can be made healthier by using freshly squeezed fruit juice in place of the typical sugary syrup. You can also make adult versions by adding a shot of alcohol. They are perfect for festive occasions such as birthday parties, classroom celebrations, festivals, car shows, and pool parties.
Types of Shaved Ice Machines
The machines come in various sizes and offer different capabilities. There are domestic versions that are meant simply for home use and these can be purchased at electrical stores or home sections in large retail outlets. Often the best deals on shaved ice machines can be found online. Click here to see the best prices on shaved ice machines.
The larger industrial models are suited for commercial use or for large gatherings and they are capable of producing a large amount of shaved ice. Those who sell deserts require this type of machine because of its high output which translates into more cash. The domestic varieties may be able to produce a mere two servings at a go but with the larger commercial shaved ice machines, it is possible to make almost 500 servings on any given day. They can easily be mounted on a movable cart for easy access to customers. These can also be rented for special occasions such as festivals and birthday parties.
Things to Consider When Buying a Shaved Ice Machine
• How many people will it cater for? If it’s just for home use, then a small one will do, but if you intend to use it commercially then an industrial model would definitely be more ideal.
• How much money do you want to spend? There is a huge variety out there and just like other commodities, price dictates what one is able to purchase. The larger your budget, the higher your chances of getting a better machine although plenty of cheap shaved ice machines are able to get the job done decently. A $25 machine will suffice for some fun afternoons with your kids, but you might want to shell out a bit more for an elegant kitchen appliance that is built to last for many years.
• What is the maintenance like? Most home shaved ice machines are easy to clean with the removable parts typically being dishwasher safe. However, it always pays to check first if you’re concerned about having to spend a lot of time on cleanup.
• What kind of ice goes into the device? It is worth noting that the various models of shaved ices machines either use block ice or bagged ice, therefore one can pick out their preferred model to suit individual preference. For home use, you will probably want something that can take ice cubes from a standard sized freezer ice cube trays.
• What kind of warranty is offered? Like any appliance, you will want something that is least covered initially should something go wrong the first time you use it out of the box. If you’re springing for a high end model, look for an extended warranty to protect your investment.
Once you have done your pre-purchase research, you can go out and get the most suitable machine.
Top Shaved Ice Machines for Sale
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