Instant Fruit Smoothie Cubes
Fruit smoothies can be a nice gentle breakfast, however I hate dragging out the blender in the morning and the noise and mess that comes along with it. I actually developed this method for “blender-less” smoothies for my husband who loves to drink smoothies, but hates to prepare them. This method also cooks the fruit, which I know may seem weird but, I have a bizarre allergy where I can’t eat many raw fruits due to a particular protein that is deactivated by heat. My husband also can’t eat raw bananas without getting a stomach ache, but can eat cooked bananas no problem. We are weirdos. However, there is another important benefit to cooking the fruit used in your smoothies. If you are immunosuppressed or pregnant, elderly or feeding a child, cooking fruit to 185 degrees for at least 1 minute will kill any bacteria on the fruit that can make you sick, not to mention Hepatitis A. Even "safe, ready to eat" frozen fruit can harbor these dangerous contaminants. The latest incident with frozen organic strawberries has Costco, Trader Joe's, Aldi's and other stores frantically recalling frozen fruit for contamination with Hepatitis A. This recall is happening in 2023, but illnesses linked to this strain of Hepatitis A actually started popping up in 2022! Food safety requires constant vigilance and your home kitchen is the last line of defense in the battle against food borne illnesses.
This is a very straight forward recipe, but the time saved in the mornings in prep and clean up and the ability to enjoy a quiet start to the day make it well worth a little extra prep up front. I do two versions here: Strawberry Banana and Blueberry Apple, but you can use this technique with any fruits that you like. Mixing more expensive fruits like strawberries and blueberries with more economical fruits like bananas and apples is a great way to stretch your produce budget! You can also adjust the amount and type of sweetener to your taste or needs or depending on the natural sweetness of the fruit that you use. These cubes also make a good natural substitute for “fruit” flavored powders or syrups that kids like to mix into milk. I’ve also used these cubes when I pack a thermos of yogurt in my husband’s lunch bag. They both flavor the yogurt and keep it extra cold. Of course if you are lactose intolerant use plant-based or lactose free yogurts or milks to mix with your fruit cubes.
Click here to watch a video demonstration of this recipe on my "Simmer and Stir" YouTube channel.
Directions:
Add fruit, water and sugar (if using) to medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer (uncovered) stirring frequently until fruit softens and breaks down. (About 20 minutes)
Off the heat, use an immersion blender to puree. Let cool for 20-30 minutes. (If using food processor or blender, cool first then puree.)
Spoon fruit puree into ice cube tray. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap onto the surface of the fruit puree and store in freezer until ready to use.
To use: Take out as many cubes as desired and place in glass in refrigerator overnight to thaw. In the morning: pour dairy or plant-based yogurt and milk or Kefir over thawed cubes and stir thoroughly with a spoon or whisk. Enjoy a quiet morning smoothie!
(Yield Varies)
Ingredients:
Strawberry Banana
(Fills 1-2 standard Ice Cube trays)
448 grams of cleaned fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced.
120 grams (1 large) banana, peeled and sliced.
24 grams of Sugar (about 2 Tbsp)(Optional)
½ cup water
Blueberry Apple
(Fills 1-2 standard Ice Cube trays)
448 grams of cleaned fresh or frozen blueberries
150 grams (1 medium) apple such as McIntosh (peeled, cored and diced)
24 grams of Sugar (about 2 Tbsp)(Optional)
½ cup water
Fruit smoothies can be a nice gentle breakfast, however I hate dragging out the blender in the morning and the noise and mess that comes along with it. I actually developed this method for “blender-less” smoothies for my husband who loves to drink smoothies, but hates to prepare them. This method also cooks the fruit, which I know may seem weird but, I have a bizarre allergy where I can’t eat many raw fruits due to a particular protein that is deactivated by heat. My husband also can’t eat raw bananas without getting a stomach ache, but can eat cooked bananas no problem. We are weirdos. However, there is another important benefit to cooking the fruit used in your smoothies. If you are immunosuppressed or pregnant, elderly or feeding a child, cooking fruit to 185 degrees for at least 1 minute will kill any bacteria on the fruit that can make you sick, not to mention Hepatitis A. Even "safe, ready to eat" frozen fruit can harbor these dangerous contaminants. The latest incident with frozen organic strawberries has Costco, Trader Joe's, Aldi's and other stores frantically recalling frozen fruit for contamination with Hepatitis A. This recall is happening in 2023, but illnesses linked to this strain of Hepatitis A actually started popping up in 2022! Food safety requires constant vigilance and your home kitchen is the last line of defense in the battle against food borne illnesses.
This is a very straight forward recipe, but the time saved in the mornings in prep and clean up and the ability to enjoy a quiet start to the day make it well worth a little extra prep up front. I do two versions here: Strawberry Banana and Blueberry Apple, but you can use this technique with any fruits that you like. Mixing more expensive fruits like strawberries and blueberries with more economical fruits like bananas and apples is a great way to stretch your produce budget! You can also adjust the amount and type of sweetener to your taste or needs or depending on the natural sweetness of the fruit that you use. These cubes also make a good natural substitute for “fruit” flavored powders or syrups that kids like to mix into milk. I’ve also used these cubes when I pack a thermos of yogurt in my husband’s lunch bag. They both flavor the yogurt and keep it extra cold. Of course if you are lactose intolerant use plant-based or lactose free yogurts or milks to mix with your fruit cubes.
Click here to watch a video demonstration of this recipe on my "Simmer and Stir" YouTube channel.
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