3 Delicious and Simple Smoothie Recipes: Tiramisu, Banana and Strawberry, and Blackberry and Orange

For some reason, smoothies have remained a fairly Ameri-centric cultural aspect and never really made it to us across the pond in the UK. Well, I'm here to change that and present you with 3 incredibly simple smoothie recipes that'll have you wishing it was summer every day.

Smoothies originated in American health-food stores in the 1930s, when they purportedly began selling a pureed fruit drink that was based on recipes from Brazil, though this could never be verified. They were popularized in the 1940s along with the invention of the modern household blender. There even exists a Juice and Smoothie association. The first Smoothie trademark was established in mid-1970s in New Jersey by the California Smoothie Company. Believe it or not, a copyright in 1972 for a Banana and Strawberry smoothie actually included the ingredient horseradish! Luckily there is no horseradish in any of the recipes I shall show you today.

Of course, when making smoothies a blender is essential, so give up now if you don't have one and stick to plain juice!

Non-Alcohol Tiramisu Smoothie:

- 2 crushed ice cubes

- 200 ml of milk

- 2 tbsp of sugar

- 3 tbsp of coffee

- 5 wafers

Preparation:

Blend the ice then add one after another the milk, the sugar, and the instant coffee. Crush the wafers into the bottom of a glass and serve the smoothie on top of that. Mmmmmmm, delicious!

Classic Strawberry and Banana Smoothie:

A classic favourite of many, this should be your first stop in the world of smoothies.

Ingredients:

- 1 banana

- 10 cups strawberries

- 2 cups of milk

- 1 tbsp of sugar

Preparation:

No real prep work, chop up the bananas and strawberries and whizz everything together in the blender. Uhh, that's it. Serve, enjoy.

Blackberry and Orange Smoothie:

Where I live, you can gather blackberries, pounds and pounds of them, from the local parks and pretty much everywhere. We usually only make Blackberry crumble out of them (more on that another day I guess), but now I have this awesome option in my blackberry repertoire too. You can use frozen blackberries too, which is great because half my freezer consists of blackberries right now;)

Ingredients:

- 2 1/2 cups blackberries

- 1 cup vanilla yoghurt

- 1/2 cup orange juice

- 1/2 glass milk

Sorry, no preparation instructions, but the amounts listed above will give you two delicious servings and only 150 calories per serving! Great!

2 Delicious No Bake Banana Dessert Recipes

Are you looking for some great no baking involved dessert recipes? If so, I think you will enjoy these two recipes which use bananas, along with some additional ingredients.

I try to feed bananas to my family almost on a daily basis because they are healthy for us. They are high in potassium and low in sodium, making them the ideal healthy fruit. They are great for reducing depression, achieving bone and intestinal health, and for regulating high blood pressure.

Bananas can be used in a variety of ways. You can eat them plain as a snack, make some bread, pudding, cakes or even a pie.

The following 2 recipes are great tasting and easy to make.

No-Bake Banana Split Dessert

4 large bananas

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 1/2 sticks of margarine, melted

3 cups crushed pineapple, drained

2 cups confectioners sugar

2 eggs

1 small package chopped nuts

1 large tub of Cool Whip

1 jar maraschino cherries

*optional* Chocolate Sauce

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the 1/2 stick of melted margarine and graham cracker crumbs. Spread mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking pan and place in the freezer for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 2 cups of melted margarine and confectioners sugar. Mix those 3 ingredients together using a mixer for 10-15 minutes. Remove baking pan from freezer and spread this mixture over top of the graham cracker crumbs. Slice bananas on top and then add the drained crushed pineapple. Cover pineapple with Cool Whip and sprinkle chopped nuts and cherries on top. Cover pie and refrigerate for 6 hours before serving. If desired, you can serve chocolate sauce over top of the pie but don't add it until 15 minutes before serving the pie to your guests.

No-Bake Banana Pudding Dessert

1 (12 ounce) box vanilla wafers

4-5 bananas

2 (4-ounce) boxes vanilla or banana cream instant pudding mix

3 cups of cold milk

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (14-ounce) tub Cool Whip, thawed

Line a 13 x 9" baking dish with a single or double layer of vanilla wafers, then add banana slices. In a large bowl, prepare instant pudding mixes according to box directions and using the 3 cups of cold milk; mix in the sweetened condensed milk and then fold in the thawed Cool Whip. Pour this mixture immediately over the sliced bananas and vanilla wafers. Refrigerate dessert for 4-6 hours before serving.

How to Make Delicious Desserts Using Fresh Fruits - Dazzling Peach Trifle and Gelatin Banana Split

The only thing better than fresh fruits are desserts made with those same fresh fruits. Try these delicious fruit desserts to rave reviews from family and friends. Gelatin Banana Split Desserts use fresh strawberries, bananas, pineapple along with maraschino cherries. This is a great summertime dessert, although it is also perfect year-round. This makes a very pretty dessert for parties, even holidays. The Peach Trifle is not only a delicious dessert, it makes a gorgeous presentation. Both of these recipes have eye appeal.

GELATIN BANANA SPLIT DESSERT

1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 pkg (8 serving size) strawberry OR cherry gelatin
2 cups cold water
1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened
frozen whipped topping, thawed
sliced bananas
sliced strawberries
pineapple chunks (if using canned, drain very well)
Chopped pecans
halved maraschino cherries, if desired

In a large bowl, place the dry gelatin and add the boiling water. Stir two minutes to be sure all the gelatin is dissolved. Stir in the cold water. Add the ice cream and stir until smooth. Pour into a serving bowl leaving room for the toppings later. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or until firm. Before serving, top with the fruits. Pile whipped topping in the center and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Top with some halved maraschino cherries, if desired.

DAZZLING PEACH TRIFLE

1 box (16-oz) Angel food cake mix
1 tbsp chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
3/4 cup peach preserves
1 quart peach slices
1 pint blueberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup prepared lemon curd

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cake batter by preparing the mix according to package directions then stir in the crystallized ginger. Line a jelly roll pan, 11 x 17-inches, with parchment paper. Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the confectioners' sugar and remove the parchment paper. Cut cake lengthwise into 3 equal pieces. Starting with the long side, tightly roll each piece in paper towel. Let cool completely. Unroll cakes and spread each piece with 1/4 cup of the peach preserves. Re-roll the cakes. Cut each roll into 12 slices.

In a bowl, combine the peach slices, blueberries, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar; toss gently to coat.

In medium bowl of electric mixer, beat on high speed the heavy cream and remaining confectioners' sugar. Beat for 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Fold in the lemon curd.

To assemble: Place 12 cake slices, spiral side out, along bottom of trifle bowl. Arrange Arrange peach slices above each cake slice. Add another layer of cake spirals above peaches. Place remaining cake slices in the center of bowl. Spoon the blueberries around the cake slices and peaches. Top the berries with the whipped cream mixture. Add a couple of peach slices to the top along with a sprig of fresh mint as garnish, if desired.

Enjoy!

Four Delicious Oatmeal Recipes

Oatmeal Banana Waffle

Ingredients
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups water
1/2 banana
2 tablespoons powdered milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Turn waffle iron on high

Put ingredients in the blender and blend on high until the contents are smooth

Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to thicken

Spray the waffle iron with a non-toxic non-stick spray

Pour the mix on to the waffle iron

Cook for about 10 minutes

Repeat until you are out of batter

North Staffordshire Oatcakes

North Staffordshire oatcakes are a local delicacy in the North Staffordshire area of England, and so may be known to non-locals as a North Staffordshire oatcake or Potteries oatcake. These use flour and yeast, whereas other oatcakes do not. When pre-cooked, they are a form of fast food, and catering outlets in the area usually offer oatcakes with fillings such as cheese, bacon, sausage and egg. They can be re-heated by frying in butter, or by grilling. In addition, pikelets are often served alongside oatcakes in a similar fashion.

Ingredients:

8oz fine oatmeal
8oz wholewheat or plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2oz fresh yeast
1 1/2 pints warm milk and water, mixed half and half
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:
Add the salt to the flour and oatmeal.

Dissolve the yeast with a little warm liquid and add the sugar. Allow the mixture to become frothy.
Mix the dry ingredients with the yeast liquid to make a batter.

Cover the batter with a clean cloth and leave it in a warm place for an hour.

Bake the oatcake on a well-greased griddle. Put enough batter onto the griddle to produce an oatcake about 8-9 inches in diameter. The surface will be covered in holes as it cooks.

Turn the oatcake after 2 - 3 minutes when the upper side appears dry and the underneath is golden brown, and cook for another 2 - 3 minutes.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients
3/4 c butter, apple sauce, equal parts butter and vegetable oil, or shortening
1 1/4 c brown sugar -- firmly-packed
1 egg
1/3 c water or milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 c oats, rolled (raw) - quick/old fashioned
1 c flour - all-purpose
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 c raisins
3/4 c walnuts - chopped

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F.

Lightly grease cookie sheet with oil.

Combine butter, apple sauce, butter/vegetable oil mix, or shortening, brown sugar, egg, milk, and vanilla; beat with mixer on high speed to blend well.

Combine oats, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; add to shortening mixture and combine until just blended.
Stir in raisins and nuts.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-13 min., or until lightly browned.

Raisin Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup oatmeal (rolled breakfast oats), traditional slow (large) type
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1/2 to 1 cup raisins
butter (real butter) for the pan

Directions:

Pre-heat an oven to 375°F.

Butter a muffin pan or cupcake pan.

Place the dry ingredients in one bowl, and the wet ingredients in a different bowl.

Mix both bowls apart, then merge them and mix again.

Spoon batter into the pan.

Cook for 20 minutes, or until brown with crispy edges.

Immediately flip the muffins upside-down using a butter knife. Leave them in the hot pan to prevent condensation from ruining the surface.

Delicious Low Calorie Snack Options You Can Feel Good About

One option is a frozen chocolate covered banana. They do not take that long to prepare or to make. They are nice and refreshing on a hot day and they only have one hundred calories and four grams of fat not to mention being high in potassium and low in sugar and sodium. If you place the banana on a Popsicle stick, it can also be a tasty on the go treat. Another good choice is to make your own cream cheese. You can do this with cherries, strawberries, blueberries or any other fruit of your choice. You can enjoy it on a bagel, on some graham crackers, or on your favorite food for an extra twist of flavor. It is only sixty-five calories, low in fat and sodium and has fifty-two milligrams of potassium.

For a nice salty snack to enjoy during a movie or your favorite TV show, you can dress up air-popped popcorn with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some cayenne pepper for a little kick of flavor. It only has seventy-five calories, three grams of fat and has forty-three milligrams of potassium. It is a salty snack that you can truly feel good about. If you do not have the time to make your own low calorie snacks, you can also try some one hundred calorie snack packs that are found in most grocery stores or read labels to find snacks lower in calories, sugar, and salt.

Not every low calorie food or snack has to be tasteless and boring. There are many options out there that can actually be quite creative and delicious. Just remember to watch the calories fat, sugar, and salt and you will able to enjoy plenty of flavorful snacks and treats without the guilt of ruining your diet.

Delicious Banana Pancake Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for sautéing the banana pieces
2-3 bananas, peeled and diced into small chunks
4 ounces of powdered sugar
1 Sifter for powdered sugar to add to finished pancakes.
 
First you will sift the flour and baking powder to remove any lumps. Second you will heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and sauté the banana pieces in pan and once golden brown, remove, and cool.  Once the banana pieces cool you will add it to the batter and mix until evenly distributed, so just put these to the side and wait to add them until you are ready for them.  Now you will whisk the sifted flour and baking powder, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. The next step you will add the eggs, milk, and half of the melted butter and whisk until combined, but still slightly lumpy. Now you will add the cool banana pieces and mix until distributed throughout the batter and fold them into the batter, do not over work the batter. If you overwork the batter the pancakes will not rise properly.
 
Now you are ready to make banana pancakes. You will then ladle about 3 to 4 ounces into the pan and cook until you see bubbles all over the surface of the side up in the pan. You will then flip the banana pancake, and cook until the bottom is a golden brown color. You will remove from the pan and serve immediately, or you can add them to a plate and cover, or to a baking sheet in the oven on its lowest setting until you have all of the batter cooked.

Garnish, You can take an extra banana if you have one or save about half of one banana and slice them into thin slice. You will sauté the banana slices in butter until golden, add to the top of the pancakes and then dust with a small amount of powdered sugar.  Serve.

Banana, Delicious and Nutritious

Banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) came from Southeast Asia, India, and Brazil. The original habitat of this plant is in tropical forest, but it can grow well in lowlands or even in highlands. We can only harvest a banana plant once because it dies after cropping.

Banana which has a good taste and soft texture contains much energy and other useful nutritious matters like carbohydrates, protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and fiber. It is an instant calorie source because it is more absorbable than rice or bread.

A ripe banana is signed by the color turn to yellow, sweet taste, and soft texture. We can directly eat it, but we can also process it to be various meal. We can fry it; we can also make juice, salad, ice cream, and cake from it.

Banana results in energy about 136 Cal per 100 grams fully from carbohydrate. Carbohydrate in banana is complex carbohydrate (about 88.6 %) so it can be an energy reserve which is absorbable in not too short or not too long term. The sweet taste comes from fructose, a fruit sugar with low glycemic index so it is safe for diabetic patient. You do not have to be afraid of obesity because of consuming this fruit because banana has low fat (about 0.8 %) and low protein (about 4.4 %).

Banana has higher vitamin B6 compares to other fruit. This vitamin has a function as a co-enzyme in protein metabolism, especially serotonin. Serotonin is a kind of neurotransmitter, a compound that works in our brain. It also has an antioxidant function, because it contains vitamin A and vitamin C.

Another advantage of this fruit is the fiber. Fiber contained in banana is about 3.7 %. It can give longer fullness feeling. It is good to consume during lowering bodyweight diet program. It can also prevent digestive tract cancer because it can absorb carcinogen in digestive tract, and remove it from our body.