Layered Fruit Smoothie

Although the weather here in Portland is cold and drizzly, I’m not letting that stop me from dreaming about sandy beaches, warm breezes, palm trees, and fruity drinks. This Layered Fruit Smoothie is a perfect example of that: a lime-kissed mango smoothie topped off with a layer of refreshing strawberry smoothie. It’s a healthy, fun and creative way of getting a few servings of fruit!

I used plain non-fat yogurt and frozen mangoes and strawberries. The smoothie was good but I know it would be even better with perfectly ripe mangoes and strawberries. The squeeze of lime juice and little bit of freshly-grated lime zest adds a lot of flavor and tropical flair to the mango portion of the smoothie.

Layered Fruit Smoothie

-recipe from The Sunset Cookbook (Oxmoor House, 2010)

If island-inspired cocktails warm your soul, this smoothie might just tip your taste buds over the edge. Blend mango, yogurt, honey, lime juice, lime zest, and ice until smooth; do the same with the banana, strawberries, yogurt, honey, ice, and lemon juice and zest. Pour the mango smoothie into a glass and layer the strawberry-banana mixture on top for a drink that’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for your stomach. Makes two smoothies (serving size: 2 cups)

1 mango (peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped)

1 1/4 cups plain low-fat yogurt

4 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest

1 banana (peeled, and chopped)

10 medium strawberries (washed, and hulled)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

In a blender, whirl the mango; 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lime juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lime zest until smooth. Divide mango-lime smoothie between 2 straight-sided glasses and set aside.

Rinse blender, then whirl the banana; the strawberries; 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lemon juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly grated lemon zest until smooth. Layer banana-strawberry smoothie onto mango smoothie, gently spooning mixture around inside edge of each glass to create a clean horizontal line.