COOL IT WITH STYLISH SMOOTHIES.Byline: Natalie Haughton Daily News Food Editor Smoothie smooth·ie also smooth·y n. pl. smooth·ies Slang 1. A person regarded as being assured and artfully ingratiating in manner. 2. A smooth-tongued person. mania is running wild in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. . Just drive around and you'll spot smoothie shops all over the place - Jamba Juice Jamba Juice is a high-end chain of smoothie restaurants headquartered in Emeryville, California with over 640 locations operating in 21 states, the District of Columbia and the Bahamas. Over 400 locations are company-owned, with the remainder being franchised. , Fresh Blend and Cafe Jumby to name a few. Even Baskin Robbins and World Wrapps has gotten into the action. And it's easy to understand why. Smoothies are an ideal cooler on hot summer days. Smoothies are ``an energy boost, a healthy snack, a hangover helper, a quick breakfast, a lazy dinner and a refreshing thirst quencher quench tr.v. quenched, quench·ing, quench·es 1. To put out (a fire, for example); extinguish. 2. To suppress; squelch: ,'' write Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock in their recently released book, ``Smoothies'' (Chronicle Books; $15.95), which contains 50 recipes. Smoothies are versatile enough to make terrific breakfasts, midmorning mid·morn·ing n. The middle of the morning. or afternoon snacks, lunch, dessert and, in some cases, even a dinner alternative. At Jamba Juice, they're positioned as a meal replacement. The drinks, a combination of fresh fruit juice, fresh or frozen fruit, ice and sometimes a nonfat non·fat adj. Lacking fat solids or having the fat content removed. or low-fat dairy product such as nonfat vanilla yogurt or low-fat sherbet sher·bet n. 1. also sher·bert A frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice, sugar, and water, and also containing milk, egg white, or gelatin. 2. Chiefly British A beverage made of sweetened diluted fruit juice. , really started to take off a couple of years ago. Kirk Perron Per´ron n. 1. (Arch.) An out-of-door flight of steps, as in a garden, leading to a terrace or to an upper story; - usually applied to mediævel or later structures of some architectural pretensions. , chairman, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. and founder of San Francisco-based Jamba Juice (which started as Juice Club seven and a half years ago with one store in San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo (săn l  `ĭs ōbĭs`pō), city (1990 pop. 41,958), seat of San Luis Obispo co., S Calif., near San Luis Obispo Bay; inc. 1856. ), noted that although the company didn't invent smoothies, it created the niche or category around the blended-to-order smoothie. Today, the company has 55 stores in California. Perron noted that his first store grew out of his frustration as a consumer and his interest in health and fitness. ``After exercising and cycling, I wanted to have something good to put something back into body,'' he said, adding that not many options were available at the time. ``Jamba Juice caters to health-conscious people and people looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. an alternative based on taste, nutrition and convenience and value,'' continued Perron. ``We're making a healthier lifestyle more accessible for everybody.'' Kids and fruit Greg Matelson, owner of Cafe Jumby in Studio City, which has been open two and a half years and offers 22 different smoothies, noted that the blended drinks are a great way to get kids to eat their fruit. You can freeze the smoothie mixture in plastic cups, and kids can eat it with a spoon when slightly softened. Unlike Perron, Matelson doesn't consider the blended fruit drink a health item or meal alternative. ``It's a drink. It is like going out and getting ice cream.'' Frosty and thick, these refreshing beverages are stylish, trendy and filling. They come in an array of flavors and combinations - mostly fruity - with jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. names like Razzle Dazzle Razzle Dazzle (sometimes spelled Rzl Dzl) was the title of a Canadian children's program produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation between 1961 and 1966. , Citrus Blitz, Caribbean Cruise, Island Breeze, Berries Sing the Blues, Orange Zinger zing·er n. Informal 1. A witty, often caustic remark. 2. A sudden shock, revelation, or turn of events. Noun 1. , Hawaiian Lust and much more. You can order them with or without dairy ingredients - like nonfat frozen yogurts or sherbets. Some also come with fruit-based binders such as assorted flavors of sorbets. If you're not in the mood for a fruit-based smoothie, coffee and mocha Mocha (mō`kə), town (1990 est. pop. 2,000), S Yemen, a port on the Red Sea. It was noted for the export of the coffee to which it gave its name but declined as a trading port in the late 19th cent. with the rise of Hodeida and Aden. creations are another option at some establishments. At some shops, you can even create your own inspirations with the ingredients on hand. Order from the Build a Smoothie selection at Fresh Blend Smoothie and Juice Bar locations around the Los Angeles area and you can ``Take your pick of juice, and we will blend it with any three fruits and two scoops of yogurt or sherbet,'' noted the menu. Smoothies can be ordered fortified fortified (fôrt  ´fīd),adj containing additives more potent than the principal ingredient. with boosters, including vitamins and supplements such as ginseng ginseng (jĭn`sĕng), common name for the Araliaceae, a family of tropical herbs, shrubs, and trees that are often prickly and sometimes grow as climbing forms. , calcium, rice bran, wheat bran, bee pollen bee pollen, n mixture of flower pollen, honeybee digestive juices, and nectar. Has been used therapeutically for asthma, allergic conditions, im-potence, bleeding stomach ulcers, altitude sickness, as a dietary supple-ment has been used for cancer, high , spirulina spirulina Any cyanobacteria in the genus Spirulina. A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is an exceptionally rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, and one of the few nonanimal sources of vitamin B12. , protein powder, lecithin lecithin Any of a class of phospholipids (also called phosphatidyl cholines) important in cell structure and metabolism. They are composed of phosphate, choline, glycerol (as the ester), and two fatty acids. Various fatty acids pairs distinguish the various lecithins. , vitamin C vitamin C or ascorbic acid Water-soluble organic compound important in animal metabolism. Most animals produce it in their bodies, but humans, other primates, and guinea pigs need it in the diet to prevent scurvy. , ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Biloba Definition Ginkgo biloba, known as the maidenhair tree, is one of the oldest trees on Earth, once part of the flora of the Mesozoic period. The ginkgo tree is the only surviving species of the Ginkgoaceae family. , brewer's yeast brewer's yeast: see yeast. , wheat germ, soybean soybean, soya bean, or soy pea, leguminous plant (Glycine max, G. soja, or Soja max) of the family Leguminosae (pulse family), native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Asia, where it has been powder and gotu kola gotu kola /go·tu ko·la/ (go´too ko´lah) the creeping, umbelliferous plant Centella asiaticus or preparations of its leaves and stems, which are used to promote wound healing and to treat the lesions of leprosy; also widely used in . But beware: These boosters might change the taste and texture of the smoothie. Some might add a bitter flavor (like ginseng) while others might add chalkiness. Others could even thicken thick·en tr. & intr.v. thick·ened, thick·en·ing, thick·ens 1. To make or become thick or thicker: Thicken the sauce with cornstarch. The crowd thickened near the doorway. 2. the mixture or make the drink a bit grainy grain·y adj. grain·i·er, grain·i·est 1. Made of or resembling grain; granular. 2. Resembling the grain of wood. 3. Having a granular appearance due to the clumping of particles in the emulsion. . At Jamba Juice, the company works toward making the boosts taste-free, said Perron, adding that how much you taste it depends on the quality and source of the booster. Citrus smoothies mask the taste of supplements more than dairy-based smoothies, he noted. Store-bought smoothies range in sizes and prices - from 16 to 24 ounces and from around $2.70 to $4.35 each or more. Splitting it up If a 24-ounce smoothie is too much, many shops will split it for you so you can share. Calories and fat in each concoction vary depending on ingredients. Some of the purchased smoothies range from 200- to 500-plus calories and varying amounts of fat (although most smoothies seem to be relatively low in fat). ``Something people forget is that fruit juice is high in calories,'' although they are not empty calories, noted Amy Skepner, vice president of operations of Fresh Blend Inc. based in Danville, Calif. But if you think of smoothies as a meal, said Perron of Jamba Juice, roughly 400 to 500 calories for a 24-ounce drink isn't bad at all. If you think of them as a treat, he said, then they do contain a lot of calories. The great thing about these trendy, cool drinks is that you can whir whir v. whirred, whir·ring, whirs v.intr. To move so as to produce a vibrating or buzzing sound. v.tr. To cause to make a vibratory sound. n. 1. up dozens of irresistible variations at home in a blender in a jiffy A fraction of time that has numerous interpretations depending on who uses it. It may refer to one computer clock cycle, one nanosecond, one millisecond or one AC power cycle. There may be others. See nanosecond. 1. once you get the knack. ``All you need is a knife, a blender and a few fresh ingredients,'' write Barber, Corpening and Narlock. The drinks are easy and convenient and fit into fast-paced lifestyles. They transcend age, gender and lifestyles. It's a refreshing way to get a few doses of fresh fruit deliciously. Once you start making and serving them, you'll find everyone you know will want to get into the act and start whirring whir v. whirred, whir·ring, whirs v.intr. To move so as to produce a vibrating or buzzing sound. v.tr. To cause to make a vibratory sound. n. 1. and creating their own concoctions. Smoothies are ideal for those on the go; you can turn them into a tall cup with a lid and sip them on the way to work, class, a meeting or the gym. When you make them in your own kitchen, you not only have control over what goes into them, but you can vary the ingredients to suit personal tastes. In the mix The basic smoothie that I've been making for years with great success combines frozen strawberries or raspberries, a banana, orange juice, a little nonfat vanilla or other flavors of yogurt (not frozen) and sometimes a little ice (if you use ice cubes from your home freezer, crush them into smaller pieces first for best results). If the mixture seems too thick, I add a little more juice or water. And if it's not sweet enough, I toss in a little sugar substitute (or you can try powdered sugar or superfine superfine a class of merino sheep with wool finer than that of fine-wool. Usual limit is wool of 18.5 microns or less fiber diameter. sugar). If I don't have prepared orange juice on hand, I add a few tablespoons of orange juice concentrate from a can in the freezer (which I always keep on hand) along with some water. You can even substitute apple juice for the orange juice. And if you don't have a banana, you can improvise with other fruits or just add more strawberries. Also, I've added flavored frozen yogurts instead of non-frozen ones and even frozen flavored fruit sorbets. You can use nectars, buttermilk buttermilk residual fluid after removal of fat from milk in butter manufacture; a protein-rich supplement fed to pigs. and other fruit juices in place of orange or apple. Basically, you can mix and match with whatever ingredients you have on hand, and you're bound to come up with something that tastes delicious. For best results and a thick smoothie, be sure to start with some frozen fruit. If your smoothie isn't thick enough, you can always try blending in some extra ice, but sometimes even ice won't thicken up a thin drink. ``How hard your ice cubes are will affect the texture of your frozen drink,'' writes Bruce Weinstein, author of ``Frozen Drinks With or Without the Buzz'' (Clarkson Potter; $12.95). ``Ice that comes out of a very cold freezer is tough on your blender and may leave chunks of unblended Adj. 1. unblended - not blended or mixed together blended - combined or mixed together so that the constituent parts are indistinguishable ice in your drink. For a creamier, smoother drink, let your ice sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before blending.'' But remember to drain off the excess water before measuring the ice for the drink. Ice-cube tip If you're making your own cubes in trays, fill only halfway full with water. Or, you can break up ice cubes in a plastic bag using a heavy pot. Remember it's not necessary to crush ice into snow; you just want smaller pieces that the blender can handle. Although you can buy fully ripe fresh fruit and then freeze it - figure it will take 2 to 4 hours to become firm - the easiest and hassle-free option for homemade smoothies is to buy packaged unsweetened fruits. Many kinds - raspberries, strawberries, mango pieces, blueberries, fruit berry medleys, cranberries, peach slices and pineapple pieces among them - are available in supermarket freezer cases. Trader Joe's is also a great source for frozen fruits at good prices as well as an assortment of juices, sorbets and sherbets. Purchase unsweetened, individually quick-frozen fruits for ease in portioning out as much as you need for a specific smoothie. Then return the package to the freezer to use another time. If you want to use fruits such as melons, apricots and apples - fruits you can't purchase frozen - use fresh, fully ripe fruits and freeze them. Keep in mind that unripe fruits are hard and flavorless and won't add much to your smoothies. When I use bananas in combination with other frozen fruits in homemade smoothies, I find it isn't necessary to freeze the bananas. Bananas make the drinks smooth, and more frozen fruit makes the drink thicker, said Fresh Blend's Skepner, who started the company with her husband and father with a store in Berkeley almost 3 years ago and now has 11 stores in California and Nevada (including one in Woodland Hills). Getting the right consistency varies, depending on the ingredients used, so when you first start making smoothies, experiment. Go easy on the amount of liquid you add in the beginning. If you add too much and the smoothie gets too thin, it's difficult to thicken unless you add more frozen fruit. And when it comes to blenders to use for making smoothies, not all blenders are created equal. The smoothie shops use commercial bar or other commercial-style blenders. If you plan to make a lot of smoothies at home, you might consider investing in a powerful commercial blender, available at some kitchen shops and restaurant supply stores. Following are several of my family's favorite smoothie recipes, along with some from the new smoothie cookbooks. Keep cool and enjoy! GRANT'S SMOOTHIE This is my son's smoothie recipe. He often adds a couple of tablespoons protein powder. 1 cup small ice cubes OR crushed ice 3/4 cup unsweetened frozen whole strawberries 3/4 cup water 1 large banana, peeled and halved In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until thick and smooth. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 1/2 cups, 1 to 2 servings. STRAWBERRY ORANGE BANANA SMOOTHIE 1 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries 1 banana, peeled and cut up 1/2 cup orange OR apple juice 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla OR other flavor yogurt (not frozen) 2 tablespoons protein powder (optional) In a blender, whirl together all ingredients until smooth and thick. Serve immediately. Makes 1 serving. RASPBERRY CREAM 1 cup unsweetened frozen whole raspberries 1 cup orange juice 1/2 cup nonfat frozen yogurt In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until thick and smooth. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 cups. PEACH MELBA SMOOTHIE 1 cup unsweetened frozen whole raspberries 1 cup unsweetened frozen peach slices 1/2 cup nonfat frozen vanilla yogurt 1 cup orange juice 1/4 cup water In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 1/3 cups, 1 to 2 servings. PEACH SMOOTHIE 1 1/2 cups unsweetened frozen peach slices 1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat peach yogurt (not frozen) 1 cup peach nectar 1/2 cup small ice cubes In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 2 3/4 cups. MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE 1 cup frozen unsweetened mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries) 1/2 cup nonfat frozen vanilla yogurt 1 1/4 cups orange juice In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until thick and smooth. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 1/3 cups. HAWAIIAN STRAWBERRY BREEZE 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 1 1/2 cups unsweetened frozen whole strawberries 1 banana, peeled and halved 1/2 cup small ice cubes 2 tablespoons shredded coconut In a blender container, whirl together all ingredients until thick and smooth. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 1/2 cups. RASPBERRY DAZZLE 1 cup unsweetened frozen raspberries 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup small ice cubes OR crushed ice 1/2 cup frozen raspberry sorbet Powdered sugar OR sugar substitute to taste (optional) In a blender, whirl together all ingredients except sugar until well-blended and smooth. Stir in powdered sugar to taste. Serve immediately. Makes about 2 cups. ICY BLENDER MOCHA This recipe is a facsimile of those you'll find at coffee shops around town. For best flavor, be sure to garnish with puffs of whipped cream. You're in for a special treat 1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso powder OR 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder (use decaf de·caf n. Informal Decaffeinated coffee. de  caf adj. , if desired) 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons ground sweet chocolate and cocoa mix (such as Ghirardelli) 2 tablespoons hot water 2 cups small ice cubes 1/3 cup nonfat OR low-fat milk Whipped cream in a pressurized pres·sur·ize tr.v. pres·sur·ized, pres·sur·iz·ing, pres·sur·iz·es 1. To maintain normal air pressure in (an enclosure, as an aircraft or submarine). 2. can In a bowl, mix espresso powder and chocolate with hot water until dissolved. In a heavy-duty blender (a commercial bar-style blender made for crushing ice works best), process ice cubes, espresso-chocolate mixture and milk until slushy slush·y adj. slush·i·er, slush·i·est 1. Consisting of, covered with, or full of slush. 2. Resembling slush, as in consistency. 3. Revoltingly sentimental; maudlin. See Synonyms at sentimental. and well-blended but still icy. It may be necessary to process with on-off pulses until ice is thoroughly crushed. Turn into a tall glass. Garnish with a large dollop of whipped cream. Makes 1 serving. NOTE: If ice cubes are large, it may be necessary to crush cubes separately first before processing all ingredients together. VARIATION WITH CHOCOLATE SYRUP: Substitute 3 tablespoons chocolate syrup (such as Hershey's) for ground sweet chocolate and cocoa mix. Then proceed as directed in above recipe. RASPBERRY SMOOTHIE 1 1/2 cups unsweetened frozen raspberries 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla OR other flavor yogurt (not frozen) 1/2 cup water OR more until thickness desired is reached 3 tablespoons frozen orange OR apple juice concentrate In a blender, combine all ingredients and whirl together until smooth. Makes 1 serving. SMOOTHIE CLASSIC This could be the granddaddy of all smoothies. Revered for its taste, simplicity and vitamin C and potassium content, it's no wonder this is still a favorite of smoothie aficionados. 1 cup orange juice 1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries, frozen 2 fresh bananas, peeled, frozen and sliced Pour orange juice into a blender. Add strawberries and bananas. Blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). PEACHY peach·y adj. peach·i·er, peach·i·est 1. Resembling a peach, especially in color or texture. 2. Informal Splendid; fine. KEEN 1 cup low-fat peach yogurt 3/4 cup peach nectar 1/2 cup fresh raspberries, frozen 1 1/2 cups diced fresh peaches, frozen Combine yogurt and nectar in a blender. Add raspberries and peaches. Blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). BAD BOYS This stimulating blend of boysenberries and blueberries is a salute to the baddest of all boys. Its rich, creamy magenta appearance reflects its intense berry flavor 1 1/2 cups low-fat boysenberry boysenberry: see bramble. boysenberry Very large bramble fruit, usually considered, along with the loganberry and the youngberry, a variety of blackberry (Rubus ursinus). The dark, reddish-black fruit is especially valued for canning and preserving. yogurt 3/4 cup passion fruit sorbet 1 cup fresh boysenberries, frozen 1 cup fresh blueberries, frozen Combine yogurt and sorbet in a blender. Add boysenberries and blueberries. Blend until smooth and strain through a sieve, if desired. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE Serve this luscious strawberry dessert smoothie with a plate of graham crackers. 1 1/4 cups nonfat strawberry frozen yogurt 3/4 cup strawberry nectar 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream 3 tablespoons cream cheese 2 cups hulled and quartered fresh strawberries, frozen Combine frozen yogurt, nectar, sour cream and cream cheese in a blender. Add strawberries and blend until smooth. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). COOKIES AND CREAM Cookies and Cream (or Cookies 'n Cream) is a popular flavoring in foods, including ice creams, milkshakes, and confectionery. It is typically a flavor infused into desserts using crushed chocolate cookies sandwiching a cream filling. SMOOTHIE This is for the young and the young at heart. It is teeming teem 1 v. teemed, teem·ing, teems v.intr. 1. To be full of things; abound or swarm: A drop of water teems with microorganisms. 2. with the taste of chocolate cookies and bananas. 1 1/2 cups nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt 1/2 cup nonfat milk 2 fresh bananas, peeled, frozen and sliced 1 cup crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies (about 10) Combine frozen yogurt and milk in a blender. Add bananas and blend until smooth. Add cookies and blend just until mixed. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). RASPBERRY CAPPUCCINO cap·puc·ci·no n. pl. cap·puc·ci·nos Espresso coffee mixed or topped with steamed milk or cream. [Italian, SMOOTHIE This espresso smoothie is refreshing on a hot summer day. The rich taste of chocolate and coffee is well-matched by the berries. 3/4 cup low-fat chocolate milk 1/3 cup espresso OR 1 tablespoon instant coffee dissolved in 1/3 cup ?6 water, room temperature OR chilled 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup 1 1/2 cups nonfat coffee frozen yogurt 1 cup fresh raspberries, frozen 1/2 cup cold nonfat milk Unsweetened chocolate powder for garnish Combine chocolate milk, espresso and chocolate syrup in a blender. Add frozen yogurt and raspberries. Blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses. Rinse out blender container. Pour nonfat milk into blender and blend on high speed until frothy froth·y adj. froth·i·er, froth·i·est 1. Made of, covered with, or resembling froth; foamy. 2. Playfully frivolous in character or content: a frothy French farce. , about 15 seconds. Divide between smoothies and sprinkle with chocolate powder. Makes 2 servings. From ``Smoothies'' by Mary Corpening Barber, Sara Corpening and Lori Lyn Narlock (Chronicle Books). ICED MOCHACCINO 1 cup brewed espresso, chilled 6 tablespoons chocolate syrup 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 cup milk 1 cup vanilla ice cream OR frozen yogurt 1/4 cup whipping cream, lightly whipped Ground cinnamon, chocolate curls OR cocoa powder for garnish Combine espresso, chocolate syrup, sugar and milk in a blender. Add ice cream and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into 2 chilled glasses and top each with whipped cream and cinnamon to taste. Makes 2 (8-ounce) servings. From ``Smoothies and Other Blended Drinks'' by Elsa Petersen-Schepelern (Ryland Peters & Small). CAPTION(S): Drawing Drawing: (Color) CHILL OUT James Hames/Daily News |
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