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Strawberry-Banana Smoothie in a Blender
Instructions
I get all the ingredients ready. I peel the bananas – by hand is best, without a knife. I take ripe bananas with brown freckles, as they are sweeter.
I cut 300 g of strawberries in half and trim off the stems. If the berries are small I leave them whole; if they are large I cut them into quarters so it is easier for the blender.
I put the pieces of strawberry into the blender bowl. I try to choose fragrant berries – the final flavour of the smoothie depends on them.
To the strawberries I add 300 g of banana, cut into pieces. Banana gives density, sweetness and a delicate creamy texture.
I pour in 300 ml of milk. Farm milk is preferable – it is richer and gives a fuller flavour. Shop milk at 2.5–3.2% will also do.
I cover the bowl with the lid and run the blender at maximum speed for about 2 minutes. That is enough time for the mixture to become completely smooth.
The result is a smooth strawberry-banana smoothie of a lovely pink shade.
I pour the drink into glasses and serve – ideally right away, while it is still cool and fluffy.Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- 1
Choose FRAGRANT strawberries (sniff them near the stem) – berries with no smell make a dull smoothie. The best choice is seasonal, home-grown or market berries.
- 2
Farm milk at 3.5–4% is preferable – it is richer and gives a creamier flavour. Shop milk at 2.5% will also do, but the result will be lighter.
- 3
Use ripe bananas with freckles – green ones give a starchy texture and a "grassy" aftertaste.
- 4
Drink it STRAIGHT AWAY after making – after about 20 minutes the smoothie starts to settle and darken. For a colder drink, add 2–3 ice cubes at the end of blending. The same principle works for other berry smoothies.
Video
FAQ
Can I make it with frozen strawberries? +
Yes, it is a great alternative for winter. Use 300 g of frozen strawberries without defrosting them – this gives a cooling effect (as with ice cream). The texture will be thicker, and you can increase the milk to 350–400 ml for the right consistency. On the plus side, the blender works like a freezer and the smoothie comes out like soft-serve ice cream. On the minus side, the flavour is a little less vivid than with fresh berries. If you have frozen strawberries from your own garden, they will be no worse than fresh shop-bought ones.
What can replace the milk? +
Alternatives: kefir (a fermented milk drink, brighter in flavour), ryazhenka (with a caramel note), plant milk (coconut, almond – for vegans), drinking yoghurt (sweet and ready to use), water plus 1–2 tbsp of honey (a lighter version). Cow's milk is the classic and pairs perfectly with strawberries. Kefir gives a "strawberry lassi" – an Indian drink. Coconut milk adds tropical notes. For children, you can swap in apple juice – the flavour will be sweeter and fruitier.
How long does the smoothie keep? +
Drink it straight away – 30 minutes at room temperature at most. In the fridge it keeps for up to 4 hours in a tightly sealed container. Any longer is not worth it: milk with berries starts to turn sour, vitamin C oxidises and the colour darkens. To take it to work, pour it into a thermos mug right after making. Freezing a finished smoothie makes no sense – it is better to freeze the strawberries themselves in advance and make the smoothie fresh as needed. Shake it before each serving, as the layers may separate a little.
Can I give it to children from 1 year old? +
Yes, but with care. Recommendations: use pasteurised or formula milk (not raw farm milk at this age); with strawberries, make sure there is no allergy (the first time, give a single berry and watch for 24 hours); reduce the portion to 100–150 ml; do not make it a daily habit (no more than 2–3 times a week). Children often love a "strawberry milkshake" – this is its natural version, without sugar or artificial flavourings. It must not be given before one year old because of the strawberries (a strong allergen).
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