This Berry Summer Smoothie encompasses the taste of summer and is refreshing on its own, or as the base for a smoothie bowl. My husband and I love making smoothies and smoothie bowls and eating them outside in the nice weather, so this simple staple feels like a treat every time we make it together. If you have kids, this is also a fun #nocook recipe to get them involved in the kitchen and exposed to some fruits and veggies!
Ingredients (serves 2):
4-5 ice cubes
1 medium banana
7 oz frozen acai puree, unsweetened (I like to buy the Trader Joe's package of 4 3.5-oz packets and I use 2 packets for this recipe)
1 C blueberries
1 C mixed berries, frozen, whole
4-5 oz Greek or Skyr yogurt, plain (or choose vanilla for additional sweetness - I like to use Siggi's! Just be mindful of the amount of added sugar if using a flavored yogurt. Siggi's is relatively low in sugar. The amount listed here is about 1 single serve container of Siggi's yogurt. You can also swap this for a dairy free version if you prefer.)
1 large handful spinach (about 1 1/2-2 C)
1 C milk or milk alternative of choice (if using a milk alternative, opt for unsweetened)
Directions:
1. Crush ice in blender
2. Break banana into small chunks and place in blender.
3. Thaw acai packet slightly by running under cool water for about 30 seconds-1 minute, gently breaking up acai into small pieces. Add to blender.
4. Add fresh blueberries, frozen mixed berries, yogurt, spinach and milk to blender. Puree until smooth, approximately 1-2 minutes. Pour into two glasses and enjoy! Or, use as a base for a smoothie bowl and top with nuts, seeds, granola, fruit, nut butter - or really anything you'd like!
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:
Calories 324 calories, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 16 mg, Carbohydrates 47 g, Fiber 9 g, Protein 14 g, Sodium 123 mg, Calcium 305 mg
*Note: Nutrition analysis uses 1% milk, Siggi's whole milk plain yogurt (4.4 oz container) and does not include additional toppings for smoothie bowl.
*Please Note: While this dish is free from gluten-containing ingredients, I recommend using certified gluten free products if you need to avoid potential sources of cross contamination, such as in the case of celiac disease.