EXPRESS LANE.

Byline: - Marge Powers, Daily News Staff Writer

For a refreshing and healthy breakfast drink, sip this smoothie.

BANANA ORANGE YOGURT SMOOTHIE

1 1/2 cups plain low-fat yogurt

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup wheat germ 

1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced (see Note)

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Place all ingredients in a blender container. Cover and blend on high speed 1 minute or until smooth.

Pour smoothie into 2 glasses and, if desired, sprinkle with additional wheat germ. Makes 2 servings.

NOTE: For a thicker smoothie, cover and freeze banana slices overnight.

EXPRESS TO GO

Cavaretta's Italian Groceries & Deli, 22045 Sherman Way, Canoga Park; [phone].

A friend of mine has been to Cavaretta's many times and suggested we get lunch there. It was a wonderful experience. The menu is short, so we had an easy time selecting what to eat. At lunchtime, the deli is packed with people placing orders to go, so place a phone order to save time. There is no dining on the premises.

We settled on an antipasto salad ($3.25), hot lasagna ($3.75), a large meatball sub ($3.75), a large Italian combo sub ($3.75) and a large cannoli ($1.35).

The antipasto salad consisted of plenty of shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes and onions, whole mushroom caps, cut-up salami and cheese slices, artichoke hearts and whole large black and green olives. An herb vinaigrette came packed in a separate container. All the ingredients were fresh and abundant, and the vinaigrette was packed with flavor.

The subs were very large, filled to the brim, fresh-tasting and could easily feed two. The hot meatball sub contained two big meatballs (the size of small apples) that were smothered with a tasty, well-seasoned tomato sauce and tender slices of cooked sweet green bell peppers. The Italian combo sub had salami, mortadella, capicola, cheese, shredded lettuce and sliced onions piled high on a roll that was smeared with mayonnaise and mustard.

The lasagna was flavorful and swimming in a hearty red sauce, and the layers were filled with a delectable ground-meat mixture.

The cannoli was good, but the shell was on the tough side. The cannoli cream was laced with chocolate chips.

Cavaretta's menu features subs - also including roast beef, turkey, chicken, salami, tuna, sausage, corned beef, ham, pastrami and capicola. Subs come in three sizes - small (6 inches $3); large (9 inches $3.75); and super (feeds 6-7 $13.50). You can also get a pepper steak sub ($4.25). They will also fix subs to order from any of the meats and cheeses in the deli case.

If you are planning a party, Cavaretta's can provide deli platters, party subs, lasagna trays, antipasto platters, sausage and peppers trays and meatballs in sauce trays at reasonable prices.

Cavaretta's has fresh Italian sausage and fresh bread daily and carries a complete line of Italian pastas, cheeses and groceries.

If you are in the mood for great-quality Italian food - and lots of it - at low prices, stop by Cavaretta's. You won't be disappointed. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, so plan on stopping by on your way home if you want dinner. Be forewarned - only cash is accepted. No credit cards. But this place won't break the bank!