Thursday, January 6, 2011

Citrus Cream Smoothie


Resolutions.  I resolve to eat lots of good food.   I resolve to buy more cookbooks.  I resolve to try lots and lots of new fantastic recipes.  Most of all, I resolve to continue writing and blogging about food.  In fact, today my blog turned 2 years old!  Hooray!

Prior to blogging I felt very alone in my passion for cooking.  It seemed that no one understood how exciting cooking was to me.  All my blabbering about food went in one ear and out the other.  It was a pretty lonely feeling.  Then I discovered food blogs and a whole new door opened up for me.  Finally I was able to meet other people like me who were just as passionate about food.  I treasure my friendships with all of you and appreciate your continued support and encouragement.   Thank you for being there for me and for understanding the passion!  Let's toast to many more years of cooking and blogging together!  I just happened to bring along the perfect drink......
Citrus Cream Smoothie
Serves 6

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups plain Greek yogurt
1-1/4 cups orange juice
2 medium bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons grated orange zest (from 1 large orange)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 
1 cup ice 

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over medium-high heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.

Pour the cooled syrup into a blender. Add the yogurt, orange juice, bananas, orange zest, vanilla extract, and ice. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Notes/Results:  This smoothie is fantastic!  Smooth, thick, creamy and full of citrus flavor and aroma....it is a sure way to beat the winter blahs.  The whole family was crazy about this smoothie.  Since the smoothie makes enough to serve 6, we had enough smoothie left to make 3 popsicles (it's never to cold to eat popsicles).  This smoothie would make a great addition to your breakfast table.  
Now cooking the recipes of Giada De Laurentiis

24 comments:

  1. Happy bloganniversary! You have accomplished lots over the last two years! This citrus cream smoothie looks so good, a great way to start the year!

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  2. Happy 2 years of blogging, and here's to many more to come! I love smoothies but am usually way too lazy to make them...hehe. This one sounds perfect, I love orange!

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  3. Oh yay! Happy blogiversary Kim! You and I must have started around the same time... I can't remember when I started reading your blog but it must have been very close to the beginning...back in the Tyler Florence Fridays days. You are one of my favorites! Always have been, always will be. Plus you bring me the best gifts! Love these smoothies!

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  4. love your smoothie :-) and your right we are in good company with fellow bloggers

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  5. Yum! Happy Blogiversary! I bet the addition of greek yogurt and vanilla is FANTASTIC in this!

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  6. Love smoothies.....Wish i could have it rite now!!:)

    Dr.Sameena@

    http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com/

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  7. I raise my smoothie glass in honor of your 2nd blog anniversary and to many more years of having a passion for food and sharing it through blogging.

    I think it is an excellent resolution to resolve to buy more cookbooks! Do you have Barefoot Contessa's new cookbook? Love it.

    Velva

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  8. Happy Blogiversary! My blog is about two years old too! You have so much to be proud of with your blog.

    The smoothie looks fantastic, especially on the gray day we are having.

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  9. Two years? I had no idea! You blog so wonderfully it seems you've been doing this for a lot longer. (I hope you take this as "the only way to have a blog this great is through many years of experience" and not "geez, you're older than I thought") Happy blogiversary!

    I've never seen this Giada recipe. What a nice, cheerful smoothie to have first thing in the morning.

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  10. Yum, this sounds so great after the holiday bulge!!!

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  11. That sounds so good. I imagine it would taste like a liquid orange creamsicle :)
    *kisses* HH

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  12. This recipe sounds so fabulous and not too fattening either!

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  13. happy 2 years, this looks great and tasty - like it would put some pep in my step

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  14. Totally agree with your sentiments on cooking and blogging.

    Happy blogiversary!

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  15. Happy 2 years Kim. Ive been with u from the beginning!!
    Love this refreshing creamy drink!

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  16. cheers! and happy 2 years! here's to many more wonderful years of food blogging, i know what you mean about discovering foodie friends, it so fun to share a love of cooking.

    this drink looks awesome, i love the citrus cream combo, it's so delicious and refreshing!

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  17. Happy Blogaversary, Kim. Yours is one of the blogs I most look forward to reading. I understand completely how you felt. I've been fortunate to have had good foodie friends in the past. These days my blog friends are there to "listen" and share foodie adventures.

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  18. Oh yum! That does look like a perfect breakfast treat - in fact I have everything for it!
    I like a gal who commits to buying more cookbooks - my kind of friend!

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  19. This sounds so refreshing!!! Happy blog anniversary! ~Leslie

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  20. Oh Kim - absolutely perfect resolutions, and happy blogoversary to you :-) I understand perfectly how you felt before blogging, as I felt exactly the same way. This citrus smoothie looks sensational - another one to add to the list!!
    Sue :-)

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  21. I am too cold to drink that smoothie but I really want it!! Happy blogaversary..... it is amazing how fast the time goes when you are having fun with something.

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  22. Oh Kim, I think that this smoothie would fit right in to my healthy resolutions too! I've been so bad with the Giada cooking lately and hope to get back in gear soon. Happiest of blogoversaries! I am SO glad that you followed your passion for food and began blogging about it . . . . I was fortunate enough to be able to meet you as a result! Here's to many more years of your wonderful blog! Hugs, Roz

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  23. Congrats on your Blogoversary! I am happy you started your blog and joined in TFF so that I got to know you!

    The smoothie looks delicious--creamy and with yummy orange flavor--what's not to love!?!

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  24. Two years, you are an old timer.

    This drink looks so refreshing. Would you like to share it by linking it to Let's Do Brunch.

    It would be wonderful to have that to drink each day.

    http://sweetsav.blogspot.com/2011/01/lets-do-brunch-11.html

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