Saturday, April 13, 2013

Strawberry Smoothie (and how to freeze strawberries)

When strawberry season is in full swing, of course you want to eat as many ripe, fresh berries and you can. The temptation, of course, is to buy vast quantities of berries every time you see them.

The problem, though, is that fresh strawberries don't have a long shelf life. You need to use them quickly.
Or, you need to figure out a way to save them.

One of the easiest things to do is freeze the berries. When thawed, they're not the same as fresh, but there are plenty of uses for frozen berries, and in some cases the frozen berries are preferable.

In smoothies, for example, the frozen berries help chill the mixture so you don't need to add ice which dilutes the mixture.

To freeze berries, just lay them on a sheet tray so they're not touching and put the tray in the freezer.

When the berries are frozen through, put them in a zip-top plastic bag or other storage container. They'll stay frozen separately, so you can take out as many berries as you need, whenever you need them.

This smoothie is great for breakfast on the go. The Good Belly and yogurt also make it soothing for your tummy.

Strawberry Smoothie

1/3 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup Greek-style yogurt
1 cup pomegranate blackberry Good Belly
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth and frothy. Serve immediately.
Yum