Fresh Fruit Shakes for Summer...or any day

I just realized I hoarded an assortment of fresh fruits since last week -- succulent mangoes, avocados, juicy red strawberries, crunchy apples and pears, sweet papaya slices, bananas, melon, ripe seedless oranges and grapes, take your pick!


With most of the fruits now stocked-up in the fridge, we are forced to eat at least a serving or two each day, which is really good!

I learned that the best time to eat fruits is on an empty stomach. And one of the many health benefits from doing this is that it would allow the body to better absorb all its nutrients and instantly energize you. So kick-start your day with a serving of fresh fruit as part of your breakfast. I'm making a conscious effort to do this. The kids eat lakatan bananas every morning, so this favorite potassium-packed fruit is a staple.

For today's post, I was simply inspired by this bounty and decided to make fresh fruit shakes out of this colorful bunch!  As part of breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or anytime in between, these wonderful fruits in season are best eaten raw, or as cool blended drinks perfect during the sweltering days of summer.

We had avocado and mango shakes last week, and more recently, I have made these scrumptious Strawberry-Banana Smoothie, a personal favorite, and Melon Milkshake.

Ever since I first tasted this smoothie some 11 years ago at Planet Hollywood (Singapore), the Strawberry-Banana Smoothie (a.k.a. Home Alone Smoothie) is always top-of-mind whenever I am able to buy fresh strawberries. So after bringing home a batch, I wash them thoroughly first, trim the tops, then freeze them all. You can use fresh, but for me, frozen strawberries make for a better smoothie!

Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

1 cup frozen strawberries
1 medium banana, chopped
1 cup ice, shaved or cubes
1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons sugar, or syrup
Splash of grenadine (pomegranate syrup), optional

Throw them all in a blender and mix!
Adjust fruits and sugar to your taste.

Makes a full 500ml serving.

Relax and sip, sip sip! Ahh...yum...only thing missing here was a beach backdrop.

I paid extra for the smoothie promo to avail of this cocktail glass as a souvenir.  It's where my 'Home Alone' smoothie was actually served. They only had 'Jakarta' edition though.

I recommend you gradually add the last half of the water to reach your perfect slush.

Light and frothy, this next milkshake got a better reception from the kids. But you have to drink up as soon as it's served since the watery base quickly separates from the foamy flesh after a few minutes. Still good though.

Melon Milkshake

350gms melon (approximately 1/4 of a melon)
1 cup ice, shaved or cubes
1/3 cup cold water
1/8 cup liquid cold milk
2 tablespoons sugar, or syrup

Makes approx. 750ml serving.

Adjust water and milk proportion to your liking. I prefer mine to be less creamy. Again, gradually add the liquids for a thicker, or thinner, milkshake.

The little master and miss of the house also loved the juicy popsicles we made from the left-overs. These coolers are your perfect companions at home on a hot summer day. So bring out the blender, make some ice, and concoct your own refreshing fruit shakes and smoothies now!


Also try Strawberry-Yogurt Smoothie.

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