Kitchen Klutz: Strawberry Nirvana is just a sip away!

Photos by Joe Maniscalco

By Michèle De Meglio

I love Jamba Juice!

But unfortunately, the popular smoothie chain doesn’t have a single location in Brooklyn. (Note to Jamba execs: What gives?)

Since I can’t always make it to Union Square to get my favorite frosty delight, I decided to concoct the Strawberry Nirvana drink at home.

Jamba’s Web site lists the shake’s ingredients as frozen strawberries, frozen bananas, apple-strawberry juice, ice, milk, and Splenda. Measurements are not provided so I had to eyeball it. Oh boy, can you see where this is going?

There was just one more thing I needed — a blender. I purchased an Oster blender that was on sale for $15 at Target. What a deal! (An added bonus, the cheap price helped me rationalize spending way too much on Anna Sui’s adorable cocktail dresses.)

I ran into another problem when I hit Waldbaum’s in search of my Nirvana ingredients — there was no apple-strawberry juice or frozen fruit of any kind. Bugger.

I found a bottle of Juicy Juice apple-raspberry juice hiding on an overcrowded shelf and figured that’d have to do. I used fresh berries and bananas in place of the frozen variety.

Making the smoothie was relatively easy. I put a handful of ice cubes, five strawberries, half a banana and two packets of Splenda in the blender. I poured in just a bit of rice milk and juice. It seemed to be about one-quarter cups worth. Then the fun part — blend!

Verdict: Yummy! The drink was sweet but not too sugary and definitely refreshing. However, Jamba’s smoothies are super thick and mine was the same consistency as a glass of juice.

I added a few more strawberries to the blender in an attempt to thicken the mixture. It seemed to work a bit. Next time, I’ll go easy on the milk, juice and ice and up the fruit ante.

Whatever the consistency, this smoothie is still a treat!

Kitchen Klutz follows 20-something Michèle De Meglio as she burns casseroles and her fingers, all in hope of trading frozen dinners for home cooking.

Faux Strawberry Nirvana Smoothie

Ingredients

4 ice cubes

10 large strawberries

1 banana

1/4 cup apple-raspberry juice

1/4 cup milk

Directions

Hull the strawberries. Combine all ingredients in blender and mix for 30 seconds. Makes two large smoothies.