The other night as we were going to bed, I let out an exasperated, "winter sucks!" As if he could read my mind for once, Lucas echoed my concern, "...because stone fruits aren't around!" Yup. That's how I feel when the single sign on the what was once multiple crates of peaches reads, "End of season; get them while they last!" Their departure...and the sign...it all feels so personal. It's all about mindset though; the dwindling bins of fresh peaches make room for an entire row of winter citrus! Just when you thought winter was about hearty stews and warm soups, I'm here to tell you that this is what winter is all about - satsuma mandarins, navel oranges, and grapefruit.
After consuming enough comfort food to go into hibernation as soon as the holidays are over, I'm ready for something fruity and sweet. Something with a hint of summer fun, while still in season. Something that says, "you know what winter? you're cooler than I thought." With that, I bring you a frothy Orange Julius copycat recipe. I dub it an "orange frothy." This is not just any old smoothie - it's got sweet citrus tang with notes of vanilla bean. A mind-blowing "why didn't I think of that earlier" pair of flavors.
This recipe is the final part of the three-part series entitled, "Lucas goes to the oral surgeon." Starring in reverse order of appearance on his soft-food menu: salted caramel pudding, spiced crock-pot pearsauce, and this orange frothy. While I used this wisdom tooth-inspired puréed, mushy, creamy, smooth, and silky menu as an excuse, this orange frothy really was a treat for Tyler and I after a day's worth of culinary adventures. Lucas slept (drooled) on the couch while we sipped in the sun-soaked dining room. From fancy striped straws (leftover from our wedding - which I should tell you, I haven't forgotten about my promise to share stories and pictures...stay tuned very soon). Don't worry, when Lucas woke up several hours later, I blended up another to share with him sans straws (we'll have no dry sockets in this house). Delish!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 cups ice
- 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt, I used Siggi's Vanilla Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into two glasses and serve with a straw.
Chris @ Shared Appetite -
I so miss all those amazing stone fruits as well! But winter citrus is pretty awesome, so I guess it kind of makes up for it :) Love the orange and vanilla combo, and using vanilla yogurt makes it pretty healthy! Yum!
Miss Kim @ behgopa -
Looks so refreshing. Found your blog on Foodgawker. Love your photos!
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you so much!
Coco in the Kitchen -
It's like a healthy creamsicle, but no one has to know it's healthy, right?
Sarah Menanix -
Exactly! I'll have to remember this one for when I've got kids;)
Liz -
I miss peaches, too...my absolute favorite fruit! But till summer arrives, I'm glad there are wonderful citrus recipes, like your orange frothy, to keep me happy!
Natasha -
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog earlier. It's nice to meet you and see all of your delicious creations. I miss peaches too, but love the orange/vanilla combo!
Rachel @ Bakerita -
This looks so wonderfully refreshing and delicious!! Sounds like a Creamsicle in a cup!
WhatJessicaBakedNext... -
This sounds and looks amazing! A delicious and refreshing recipe I can't wait to try in the Summer! :)
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen -
What a great smoothie recipe and gorgeous picture! My son would love one of these.
Charlotte -
I would never have thought of pairing orange and vanilla! Looks delish though tangy orange, smooth yoghurt, sweet vanilla! A friend brought me vanilla beans back from the Caribbean, and I have some mandarines at home, I could make a variation of your Orange Frothy for Sunday breakfast!
Erin Zebroski -
Made a double batch of this for the family (they're 14, 14 and 47, lol) this morning...After they were finished, I told them how healthy it was! Will DEFINITELY be making this again. Thanks for sharing!!
Sarah Menanix -
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing - I love tricking people into eating and loving healthy foods:)
Carrie K -
Great for the whole family. Coincidentally, I had Siggi's yogurt in my fridge, too. I used a whole 8 oz bottle of the Siggi's kids drinkable strawberry yogurt. We loved the orange-strawberry-vanilla flavor combination!