Banana Bounce Smoothie

Recipe:
1.  Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• 3/4 cup skim milk or soy milk
• 1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt or soy yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup
• 1 banana; peeled, frozen (if using fresh banana, add 1 cup of ice cubes)

2.  Select Smoothies program

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I followed this recipe exactly and chose to add the fresh banana with the ice cubes.  If I made this again, I would not add as much yogurt as the recipe calls for.  1 cup may not sound like a lot, but it was a pretty big portion of the smoothie and cancelled out the taste of the banana and chocolate.  About half of the people in my family liked it, the other half didn't.  If I made it again with less yogurt, I think most of them would like it.

It is also kind of strange because it is a smoothie but seems so much like a milk shake because of the chocolate added.  The difference is that this smoothie is much thinner than a shake.  I kept adding ice so it would not be so watery.  You should give it a try, but don't follow the recipe exactly.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake

My Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

• peanut butter
• 2 bananas
• 2% milk
• chocolate ice cream

2.  Select Frozen Desserts

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

I made this recipe immediately after I made homemade peanut butter (for a recipe on how to make that, check out this link.).  After making the peanut butter, I had a hard time scooping all of it out of the Vitamix container.  Instead of worrying about wasting it, I made this milkshake.  I am not sure exactly how much peanut butter remained, but it was a pretty good amount.

This recipe tasted delicious.  It went really well with the peanut butter I had just made as well.  This is definitely my favorite thing that I have made so far and I am already planning to make it again.  It is easy and tastes great, so try it!

Peanut Butter

Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

• 3 cups (440 g) unsalted roasted peanuts

2.  Select Variable 1.

3.  Press Start and quickly increase speed to High, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades.

4.  In 1 minute you will hear a high-pitched chugging sound.  Once the butter begins to flow freely through the blades, the motor sound will change to a low, laboring sound.  Stop machine.

5.  Store in an airtight container.  It can also be frozen for longer storage.

Caution: Over-processing will cause serious overheating to your machine.  Do not process for more than 1 minute after mixture starts circulating.
Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I followed this recipe exactly how it was written.  I really liked this and found it tasted great with mini bagels, pretzels, and apples.  It tastes a lot different than regular peanut butter because it tastes exactly like the roasted peanuts.  Next time, I might add some salted nuts as well.  I am definitely going to make the recipe again.

Watermelon Berry Smoothie

My Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• fresh strawberries
• fresh raspberries
• fresh watermelon
• 1 and 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 cup frozen strawberries

2.  Select Smoothie program.

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

This is a unique recipe because I decided to add watermelon.  This was the first time I tried that and I wasn't sure what to expect.  The smoothie ended up tasting good, but the watermelon did not have a very prominent taste.  I could definitely taste the raspberries.  This could be because I chose to add a lot of raspberries and fewer strawberries.  For each amount of ingredient, just choose how much you feel is necessary and what fruit you like the best.  This smoothie would be a lot of fun for a Fourth of July party as well, since it really is bright red.

Spinach Fruit Smoothie

My Recipe:
You can make any fruit smoothie and just add spinach to it to make it green and healthier.  Here is the smoothie I chose to make:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container and secure lid.

• 2 bananas
• 1/4 slice of fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup of fresh spinach
• frozen pineapple
• frozen tropical fruits (including strawberries, bananas, passion fruit, and pineapple)

2.  Select Smoothie program.

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

What better way to make a fruit smoothie even healthier than by adding some spinach?  I did not add a specific amount of each fruit, but put in as much as I wanted.  I also avoided adding the strawberries that were in my bag of frozen tropical fruits.  The reason for that is that I did not want my smoothie to turn out brown.  It would probably still taste good, but if you are going for an appealing smoothie, I would avoid anything red or purple with the spinach.  Enjoy drinking something with the same taste but with some added vegetables!

Strawberry Shake

Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• 3/4 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream
• 1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar or other sweetener (optional)
• 1/4 cup ice cubes (if using frozen strawberries, you may not need to add ice)

2.  Select Frozen Desserts program.

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.
Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I followed this recipe almost exactly, but I decided to double the recipe.  If I had not, it would have made about 2 and 1/2 cups.  I also chose to use frozen strawberries and still added a bit of ice, to make it a thick milkshake.

I am really happy with this recipe and will definitely make it again.  I will probably try other milkshakes, but I like this one because of the fruit I added to it.  I am sure it is more healthy than the chocolate shake.  It's definitely a great mix of a yummy fruit smoothie and a milkshake.  Enjoy!

Spinach & Vegetable Soup

Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1and 1/2 cups water
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon diced onion
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots, steamed
• 4 spears asparagus, steamed
• 3/4 cup chopped broccoli, steamed
• 1 cup diced potatoes, cooked
• 2 cups fresh spinach, washed
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow squash, steamed
• 1/2 cup chopped zucchini, steamed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

2.  Select Hot Soups program.

3.  Press start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

5.  Select Variable 1.  Remove the lid plug.  Press start.

6.  Add in 1 can chickpeas, drained through the lid plug opening and blend for 5-10 seconds

Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I replaced chicken broth with vegetable broth and broccoli with green beans.  The thing that disappointed was that this soup did not have very much substance.  The only thing that was not completely blended were the chickpeas.

I do not like vegetable soup in the first place, but my parents also did not like this soup.  This is the first recipe we have made that we didn't like.  We will have to keep trying different kinds of soups to find ones that we like.  I am not planning on making this again, and I wouldn't suggest it to anyone trying new soups with their Vitamix.

Banana Pineapple Splash

My Recipe:
1.  Place the following in the Vitamix container and secure the lid.

• 2 fresh bananas and 1 frozen banana
• frozen pineapple
• small amount of frozen mango
• about 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

2.  Select Smoothie program.

3.  Press start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

This is a smoothie that I created myself and it turned out great.  This is definitely one of my favorites so far.  If you like banana, I would really suggest this delicious yellow smoothie.

When deciding on how much fruit to put in, first think about how many people you are serving for and then what fruit you like the best.  I put in a lot of pineapple and a small amount of frozen mango because I love pineapple.  I did not measure it out precisely because that is not always necessary.  Just have fun adding however much you want of each ingredient.

Another tip: When using the Smoothie program, or any program for that matter, it may not necessarily be ready to drink after the cycle.  Usually I have to continue blending because the program is too short.  It always depends on how much frozen fruit you are using, so just keep this in mind.

Triple Berry Smoothie

Recipe:
1.  Place the following ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup low fat vanilla yogurt or soy yogurt
• 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries
• 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened raspberries

2.  Select Frozen Desserts program.

3.  Press start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I made a smoothie very similar to this, but added some of my own ideas.  For example, I used some fresh strawberries and blueberries.  If you are trying to make a smoothie, rather than sorbet, it is always a good idea to use some non-frozen items.  This way the smoothie won't be quite as thick.

I also did not measure out each individual serving and chose to put in as much as I felt necessary.  Since I was making it for 8 people, I put in more than the recipe called for since it would only expect to yield 3 cups.

This smoothie turned out deliciously and I would definitely make it again.  It is great for anyone who likes a lot of berries and you can always add more fruit than the recipe calls for.

Bacon Cheddar Potato Soup

Recipe:
1.  Place the following into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.

• 2 cups skim milk
• 1 medium potato, scrubbed, baked, with skin
• 1/3 cup shredded, low fat cheddar cheese
• 1/4 small onion, sliced, sautéed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

2.  Select Hot Soups program.

3.  Press Start.

4.  Allow machine to complete programmed cycle.

5.  Select Variable 2.  Remove lid plug.  Press Start.

6.  Drop the following into the Vitamix container, through the lid plug opening.

• 1 medium potato, scrubbed, baked, with skin
• 2 ounces turkey bacon, cooked, crumbled

7.  Blend an additional 10 seconds until chopped.

8.  Add the following to your soup:

• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Source: Create Recipes for Professional Series 500

My Recipe:

I followed the recipe pretty closely, but did not add the dill weed or rosemary.  I also decided it tasted better when I added more shredded cheddar cheese and salt.  I also did not mix the bacon with the rest of the soup and chose to sprinkle it on top.

Overall, it was very easy and tasted great.  It also did not take very long to make.  It made about 4 cups of soup and I easily made two batches for my family.  I would recommend trying it with your Vitamix.