Jamie Oliver's Frozen Fruit Smoothies: Cool, Creamy Strawberry Goodness

I make my fair share of smoothies as I like them for a quick breakfast on the go so I have been wanting to try Jamie Oliver's version of Frozen Fruit Smoothies. Although lots of different ingredients such as flax seed, spinach, peanut butter, chia seeds, maca, kale, etc., end up in my smoothies depending on my mood, Jamie's use quick cook oats and nuts neither of which I have tried in smoothies before. These are an easy pantry item to whip up on a busy day.

I made my version vegan by using unsweetened coconut milk and coconut yogurt.

This recipe can be found in "Jamie's Food Revolution" on pages 306-307

Jamie says, "Smoothies are not only deliciously tasty but they’re also perfect to have for breakfast, as they’re full of goodness. Adding quick cook oats to them is great, because it adds fiber which moves slowly through your body to helps give you more energy for longer. The great thing about frozen fruit is that it’s been picked at its best, at the right time, and hasn’t been forced to grow out of season, like so much of the ‘fresh’ fruit on offer to us these days. It’s also cheaper and far more convenient – it will keep happily in your freezer for months on end, so any time you fancy a smoothie, you can have one!

These smoothies are best made in a blender, as opposed to a food processor, as this will give your smoothies a lovely silky texture. Feel free to use any fruit you like, either one type or a mixture. Raspberries are really tasty and you can use them here, but I tend to stay away from them because of the seeds."


Frozen Fruit Smoothies
Adapted from "Jamie's Food Revolution"
(Serves 2)

1 ripe banana
1 glass of frozen fruit of your choice (I used strawberries)
2 heaped tablespoons plain yogurt (I used coconut yogurt)
1 small handful of quick cook oats (not instant)
1 small handful of mixed nuts (I used slivered almonds)
1 glass of soy milk, fat-free milk or apple juice (I used unsweetened coconut milk)
honey to taste (optional)

Peel and slice your banana and put it into a blender with your frozen fruit and the yogurt. Whiz it up and add the oats and nuts. Add the soy milk, fat-free milk, or apple juice and whiz again, until nice and smooth.

If it’s a bit too thick for you, just add a splash more milk or juice and whiz around again. Give it a good stir, then have a taste. Rarely with a frozen fruit smoothie should you need to sweeten it, but if you think it needs a bit of extra sweetness you can add a little honey to taste – you won’t need much.


Notes/Results: Thick, cool and creamy with strawberries and bananas--what's not to like? The oats and nuts were not very noticeable except in texture--the smoothies were not quite as smooth as my normal version but they were still very good. They also had good "staying power"--my breakfast smoothie kept me satisfied well into lunchtime. I may have to add oats and nuts to my smoothie ingredient repertoire. ;-)

These smoothies are my entry for potluck week at I Heart Cooking Clubs. You can see what the other IHCC participants cooked up by going to the Potluck post and following the links.

Happy Friday!