Blueberries and Cream Dessert Smoothie

So why do fruit smoothies always have to be healthy? Why can't they be decedent every once in a while??? I'm breaking all the rules and making these smoothies sweet and luscious (we'll have them for dessert instead of breakfast - why not?)

Blueberries and Cream Dessert Smoothie

Makes 4-6 smoothies

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups vanilla yogurt

• 2 cups crushed ice

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• 2-4 cups whole milk

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• heavy cream (optional)

Directions

1. Put the first 6 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

2. Pour into serving glasses and if desired, drizzle a touch of heavy cream on top or each glass (I highly recommend).

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Bonus Photography Tip:

This is how I set up this shot. Note the natural light from the window. I used a scrap of black poster board for the background, and I propped a piece of white poster board on the left side of the shot to reflect some light back onto the shadowy side of the glass. Then I zoomed in and clicked away. I like the end result. Best part... it cost 0$.

Blueberry Lemonade (or Mojitos)

To tell the truth, I wasn't planning on blogging about this wonderful beverage, but after trying it, I just HAD to write about it.

First you'll need to make a "simple syrup".  As the name implies, it's very simple - just combine water and sugar together and bring to a boil, then cool.  

Next you'll need freshly squeezed lemon juice.  I squeezed about 6 medium lemons to get the amount I needed.  If you're squeezing by hand or using a citrus press, you may need to buy a few extra lemons.  An electric citrus juicer makes the job pretty fast and easy - gets every single drop of juice too.

You'll also need some frozen blueberries.  Wyman's band is my favorite because the blueberries are tiny and super sweet.  And the color they lend is stunning.

Oh my goodness, it's so good!  I had hoped to get a better daytime photo, but the family guzzled it down so fast I had to literally pour the last bit into this glass to capture a quick picture.  Enjoy!!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• Wyman’s frozen blueberries https://amzn.to/2Y4PLg0

• electric juicer https://amzn.to/2XXfkEl

• sugar pot https://amzn.to/2XYHDT2

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Blueberry Lemonade (or Mojitos)

serves 6-8

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (or lime)

• 1 lemon, sliced (or lime)

• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

• 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 cups of cold water

• fresh mint leaves (optional)

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, make a "sugar syrup" by combining 1 1/2 cups each sugar and water.

2. Bring to a boil, remove from heat; set aside until cool.

3. In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup with the remaining ingredients.

4. Stir well, chill, and serve.

Notes

• To make Mojitos, add 1 cup of white rum to the recipe above.

• Don't throw those empty lemon halves away. Freeze them - the next time a recipe calls for lemon zest, pull a frozen half out and zest away! This works for limes and oranges too.

adapted from The Cooking Photographer