For some reason, I have been failing to include my desserts in my posts lately…which is ESPECIALLY weird since I have been indulging in some of the most delicious treats ever. Although ending my day with heaps of apple slices will always have a special plate in my heart, the combination of frozen fruit and xanthan gum has taken over my liiiiiife (in a good way). The proof is in the pudding smoothies:
Frozen montage much? If that wasn’t enough evidence that I need a BlenTec blender, I don’t know what is. Hello, BlenTec, are you listening??
What’s your favorite fruit for smoothies? The above treats have everything I could get my hands on in the Whole Foods freezer aisle, including mango, peaches, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, and chocolate (yes, I realize this one isn’t a fruit). Some have tofu, some don’t, but ALL involve copious amounts of xanthan gum.
I’ll be back with a regular post tomorrow…I have been in the ICU the entire week (as opposed to the step-down unit) and I’m really enjoying myself. It’s scary at times because my patient’s are on the very edge, but I’m learning so much!
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
oh. my. god. this post is EPIC! talk about smoothie porn. i think i like frozen banana best for mine. HEY i am such a loser, check your email~ i totally realized something tonight!
ok girl, just replied to yours, hit me back!
I. LOVE. SMOOTHIES.
But, right now, sitting in shorts in a heated room and knowing there’s snow outside…not so appealing xD
i know, typically im the same way…im not sure whats different this time. i think work makes me hot and crave them when i get home??
yummm! there is nevef anything wrong with dessert!!
ALL your desserts look so yummy! I have been looking for xanthan gum since you have been talking about it, and I’m pretty sure they have it at whole foods, but do you know if it goes by another name other than xanthan gum?
not that i know of. they should def have it at WFs. in the baking section with all the other bobs red mill products
hey mama, clue us in EXACTLY how much XG you’re using per the fruit and if you’re just using frozen fruit, ice, water, etc. I have ruined soooooooo many good blender fulls of fruit, ice cream, etc by over-gumming them. Then, I dont use enough, and nothing happens. I cannot find the sweet spot, would love your experience so things dont get that freakish texture the gums have a tendency to do, well for me at least
shooooot. ok so to be honest the reason i didnt include recipes is because i really never measure!!
BUT if i were guessing it would be between 2 tsps and 1 tbsp of xanthan gum per 16 ounce (2 cups) of fruit/ice/liquid used. im guessing at the 16 ounces based on the fact that i use the 20 ounce cup for my smoothies and its almost always full.
ive never noticed an overly gummy texture with mine, so maybe ive never gone too overboard with the xanthan gum – i would suggest not exceeding 1-1.5 tablespoons to be on the safe side??
my smoothie contents vary, but there are some things that always remain. i only use tofu every once in a while, its usually just ice (5-6 supper small cubes bc they crush/blend easier), then frozen fruit (varies from a few pieces to enough to loosely fill the bullet), then some water to assist in blending and maybe a dollop of coconut milk too (only 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup though).depending on the fruit i may add in stevia, but only for mango or chocolate tofu mixes. anything with berries, peaches, or bananas is dweet enough on its own.
hope that helps? ill measure the next time around and report back though
Oh my word, I lived off these things when I had my wisdom teeth out. My fave was a mango and banana combo, but I also love to add blueberries and strawberries in. Haven’t tried them with the cocoa powder and xanthum gum tho… Interesting…
yeah, mango and banana are great pairing fruits. mango strawberry and banana strawberry are faves of mine
My favorite fruit smoothie is a huge green one. Its totally the best comment IMO. I really need to get some xhanthan gum, ive only seen it a couple times for a sale and it was a little pricey but i think your ice cream looks so yummy!
it is pricey but itll last forever because you only use a tiny amount each time
xanthan gum + guar gum + fruit = heaven!! i can’t get enough either! I can’t believe I just discovered their capabilities
Ditto to what Averie says…I still can’t find that *perfect* amount of gums to fruit. Share your secrets!!
here’s what i just wrote to averie:
the reason i didnt include recipes is because i really never measure!!
BUT if i were guessing it would be between 2 tsps and 1 tbsp of xanthan gum per 16 ounce (2 cups) of fruit/ice/liquid used. im guessing at the 16 ounces based on the fact that i use the 20 ounce cup for my smoothies and its almost always full.
ive never noticed an overly gummy texture with mine, so maybe ive never gone too overboard with the xanthan gum – i would suggest not exceeding 1-1.5 tablespoons to be on the safe side??
my smoothie contents vary, but there are some things that always remain. i only use tofu every once in a while, its usually just ice (5-6 supper small cubes bc they crush/blend easier), then frozen fruit (varies from a few pieces to enough to loosely fill the bullet), then some water to assist in blending and maybe a dollop of coconut milk too (only 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup though).depending on the fruit i may add in stevia, but only for mango or chocolate tofu mixes. anything with berries, peaches, or bananas is dweet enough on its own.
hope that helps? ill measure the next time around and report back though
Thanks!!
So you literally just blend the fruit and xanthum gum with occasionally some tofu? Tips would be great!
ok so to be honest the reason i didnt include recipes is because i really never measure!!
BUT if i were guessing it would be between 2 tsps and 1 tbsp of xanthan gum per 16 ounce (2 cups) of fruit/ice/liquid used. im guessing at the 16 ounces based on the fact that i use the 20 ounce cup for my smoothies and its almost always full.
ive never noticed an overly gummy texture with mine, so maybe ive never gone too overboard with the xanthan gum – i would suggest not exceeding 1-1.5 tablespoons to be on the safe side??
my smoothie contents vary, but there are some things that always remain. i only use tofu every once in a while, its usually just ice (5-6 supper small cubes bc they crush/blend easier), then frozen fruit (varies from a few pieces to enough to loosely fill the bullet), then some water to assist in blending and maybe a dollop of coconut milk too (only 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup though).depending on the fruit i may add in stevia, but only for mango or chocolate tofu mixes. anything with berries, peaches, or bananas is dweet enough on its own.
hope that helps? ill measure the next time around and report back though
Your smoothie creations look delicious! I’ve never been big into blended things, since I’m lazy with getting the blender out, but if I do make something, it’ll be a smoothie with protein powder, almond milk, bananas, strawberries and cocoa!
i felt the same way, but then i got obsessed with fruit “ice cream” like texture due to the xanthan gum. making a fun decadent dessert somehow makes it feel worthwhile…
Smoothies look awesome, but I’ll wait for a warmer weather to make mine
All kinds of fruit are great in smoothies. Banana is a must, them maybe some berries, or cantaloupe…yummy
i know…the timing of my obsessions isnt always sensical, so i dont blame you…haha
Wow — is that really just frozen fruit and xanthan gum?? I may have to invest…
<3 <3
see above comment responses but basically…it could be. add in some ice and a touch of liquid (not too much) and hello ice cream dessert! – too easy?!?!
Because of YOU I have been freezing my butt of every night enjoying my own frozen treats
But you are so fancy–putting it in a bowl?! It looks like the magic bullet is a single serve little container in itself…I would totally just eat out of there and keep the dishes to a minimum, lol. Then again, I don’t have a food blog… 
And I love xanthan gum + arrowroot…mmmmm. Another good frozen fruit to try is papaya. Oh–and pineapple.
Courtney
ooooo, pineapple!?! ive never even seen frozen pineapple before. step it up nyc whole foods, hahaha.
you are dead on with the bowl. 75% of the time i just eat it right out of the blender, but its not as pretty to photograph. the colors are so beautiful i feel like it doesnt do it justice unless i serve it up. but naturally i finish the entire 20 ounces in the bullet regardless of how i present it!
Pineapple is SO good! You must find it…come on Whole Foods! Although, I never get mine there (they have it though)–I usually just get it at the regular old grocery store!
I love it…bowls shmoles! Who needs em?!
Courtney
I went to the g-store the other day in pursuit of xanthan gum but was totally intimidated when I saw the 14 dollar price tag. Hot damn, is there gold is that shizz? Is it worth le moolah?!
yes! plus it will last you forever!
Yahoo for smoothies!! My favorite fruits are definitely strawberries and bananas. Oddly enough, though, not together!
I’m just jealous of your Magic Bullet. I need to jump on the smoothie wagon too!
i straight up want to submerge myself in that mango smoothie.
ooo girl those are lookin GOOD!!
i <3 anything with chocolate! the gum makes a HUGE difference
Those fruit smoothies look so amazing and for lack of better words thick! I need to get my hand on some xantham gum!
I’m jealous but you don’t specify how much of everything you used… Can you tell me how much xanthan gum to put into mine? Haha, JUST KIDDING, i totally saw that you had to tell like 14 people that. I’m pretty sure i know how to create a frozen mess, not quite as attractive as yours though! I love hearing about all different kinds of smoothie creations. Most of mine however are mere attempts at perfection, and unfortunately, i never get close. EXCEPT for once that is, and you should try this one out if you ever have the ingredients on hand. I created it one night using ingredients that were laying around after my family made xmas cookies. Into Blender; A couple drops of Vanilla Extract, A couple drops of Peppermint Oil, Frozen Cherries, A Granny Smith Apple, 1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk/Coconut Milk, Hemp Milk, Ice, 1 Heapin’ Spoonful Carob powder. Tastes just like Mint-Choc Chip Ice Cream! That used to be my fav. pre veganism!
ha. effing. ha
that creation sounds pretty insane. one prob. i hate mint. im the only person on the planet who doesnt think chocolate and mint is a drool worthy combo. funny story – my sisters were potty trained using andes mints as a reward. it had the opposite effect on me, my mom caught on pretty quickly though, haha
Daaaaang. They all look delicious, and it makes me want summer SO badly. I cannot drink a cold thing on a cold day…it makes me miserable! Spring is around the corner
Such beautiful smoothies! Love seeing all the colors together like that.
Oh there you are with your infamous smoothies and that infamous xanthan gum (I have no idea what that does, btw). LOVED your comment.
thanks for that. really.
ps xanthan gum makes sh!t thick. its fabulous.
mmmm! they all look so good! kiwi is awesome in smoothies too! along with blackberries
i’ve been wanting to try the gums forEVER now.
Ooh. Fluffy!
I’m not sure I’m ready for xanthan gum. But I’m a little worried about what I do put in the blender to add bulk or creaminess to my smoothies (usually plain yogurt or frozen banana chunks or both). I assume the xanthan gum isn’t very caloric? Or the fiber in it makes up for the calories? Or??
im pretty sure the calories are negligible – i never really thought about it. i dont think it has fiber in it though. no clue. google it and get back to me
that smoothie looks amazing!! love it
i loove banana and peanut butter smoothies
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandheatlth.wordpress.com
I’ve only seen xantham gum on labels!
I’m a purist… strawberry/banana girl all the way!
Mmmm, those look so tasty and thick. I struggle with getting my smoothies thick enought. Is it the xantham gum that makes them so thick?
stop thiiiis why in the world has my xanthum gum not gotten here yet. i need thick sorbet in my life now and guar is just not doing it for me. GRRR.
you’re like an ice cream shop right there girl!
i hope to GOD you bought xanthan gum with your iherb coupon…it WILL change your life!
I like this post.. that is some magic bullet lovin right there!!
Ive attempted, several times, to make green smoothies with kale and spinach and it always turns out brown and gross.
Does coffee count as a fruit because that would be my fav flavah flav. For the record, I adore the doughy potato bread – nutrish values be damned
Oh! While I was away this weekend, someone from my work made an emergency stop to buy me hummus. Wasn’t Basha or Sabra but it did the job!
I have never made a smoothie before!
So can i have like all of those recipes?! Ha
Where do you get your xanthan gum?
whole foods
with so much talk of vita mix in the blog world, what makes you want a blendtec? personally i’m debating between the two, so hearing your side of the story would be helpful!
have you seen those shows…will it blend THIS!?
i dont have any direct contact with either though…so i dont have any real preference on one over the other.
Although it’s difficult to choose, I think my faves are cherries and mangoes.
all my smoothies MUST contain a banana. no ifs, ands or buts.
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