Two Berry Yogurt Shake

Fresh strawberries and raspberries blended with low-fat yogurt, skim milk, and a touch of vanilla make this shake thick and frothy without any of the heaviness you get from ice cream-based smoothies. Just one tablespoon of sugar is all it needs because the berries bring their own sweetness.

Mashing the berries before blending is a small step that makes a difference. It breaks down the fruit fibers first so the blender can create a smoother, more uniform texture instead of leaving chunks of unmixed berry in the drink.

The two-berry combination gives you more depth than either fruit alone. Strawberries bring bright sweetness while raspberries add a tart, slightly floral edge that keeps the shake from tasting one-dimensional. Both berries should be at peak ripeness for the best flavor.

Kitchen Tips

• Use the freshest berries you can find. Out-of-season berries with white shoulders taste flat and need more sugar to compensate.
• Blend until thick and frothy, about 30 to 45 seconds on high. Under-blending leaves it thin and grainy.
• For an icier, thicker shake, freeze the berries for an hour before blending. No ice cubes needed, which would just water it down.

Variations

• Swap raspberries for blueberries for a strawberry-blueberry version with a deeper purple color.
• Add a tablespoon of honey instead of sugar for a slightly different sweetness.
• Toss in a handful of spinach for a green berry smoothie that still tastes like pure fruit.