Watermelon Smoothie

This is late in the season, but during the summer I would make this smoothie periodically.

Tools

• Fine-weave strainer (fine enough to catch small seeds)
• Professional blender with jar
• Second blender jar or a bowl
• Rubber scraper

Ingredients

• Lime juice from 2 medium limes
• A watermelon (I usually employ a small seedless watermelon)
• 1/2 to 1 fully ripe avocado
• Approximately 3 to 5 heaping tablespoons cane sugar (or more or less to taste)
• Ice
• Water
• Optional: desired amount of unflavored protein/collagen powder

Directions

1. Carve up the watermelon into 1-inch cubes of flesh
2. Add watermelon to the jar up to about the 500 ml mark
3. Add water up to the 500ml mark
4. Blend for a few seconds; long enough to break up the melon
5. Set the blended berries aside
1. If you are using a second jar, just set it aside for later
2. If not, pour the blended watermelon into the bowl then rinse out the blender jar (to remove any remaining seeds)
6. Add the cane sugar to the blender jar. Historically, I would pour until the pile of sugar covers the top of the central post that holds the blade in the Blendtec. Lately I have been using less sugar. Adjust this to your own preferred sweetness level.
7. Add/Prepare the protein/collagen powder
1. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that doesn't clump in cold water, add the protein/collagen powder to the mixture in the blender. (I prefer to use 4 scoops from this brand.)
2. If using a brand of protein/collagen powder that clumps in water, mix the protein/collagen powder with about 16 oz. of (preferably cool or cold) water following the directions on the container and set the mixture aside. (I use 3 scoops from this powder.)
8. Add the avocado
9. Add the lime juice
10. Strain the blended watermelon into the blender
1. Place the strainer over the mouth of the blender jar
2. Pour the blended watermelon into the strainer
3. Using the rubber scraper, push down on the watermelon to help move the juices through the strainer
1. You don't need to exert much force
2. I find scraping across the bottom of the strainer (i.e. through the pureed melon) is effective
3. You will end up with a thick paste of seeds and pulp when you are done
4. Rinse the rubber scraper
5. Scrape the exterior bottom of the strainer with the scraper to get the last of the juices into the blender
11. Add about 250 milliliters of ice. Add less ice if you want more potent flavor.
12. Add water (or the mixture from step 6.2) until the fluid level is at about 1 liter.
13. Set aside an additional glass/cup with cold water.
14. Blend until smooth. (The Blendtec has a "smoothie" button for this.)
1. Warning: If the blender starts to struggle or spin freely--meaning the blender is running but the smoothie mixture is not moving or is sluggish--immediately start adding water from step 12 until the smoothie mixture starts to flow again.
15. Pour, serve, and enjoy!

Additional Notes

Blender

I use a Blendtec blender, but a similar professional blender like a Vitamix will work. 

Lime Juice

When preparing the lime juice, I try to use the lime pulp as well. I have detailed instructions on how to do this in my limeade post.

Washing Hands

Before I work with food I wash my hands with soap and dry them using a paper towel. Any time I do something which might contaminate my hands--such as interacting with non-food-related items--I rewash my hands. I use paper towels because they are inexpensive and more sanitary than hand towels.

Ice and Water

The ideal ice-to-water ratio will result in a smoothie which has the consistency of yogurt or soft-serve ice cream. If you find the smoothie is too watery then either add more ice next time or cut back on the water added. When there is not enough water then the blender will start to spin freely as mentioned in step 14.1.

Avocado

1/2 of an avocado will get you a smooth texture, but you may find the smoothie is not very satisfying. Using an entire avocado will make the smoothie far more satisfying.

The ripeness of the avocado matters. If the avocado is not ripe, then the smoothie will be clumpy, will start to separate, and the flavor will be unsatisfying. If the avocado is ripe, then the smoothie will be satisfyingly creamy and will stay uniform for a long time--at least a half-hour.

I've attempted to use avocado oil in place of the avocado, but that particular smoothie doesn't have the right texture and starts to separate immediately. I've also tried to substitute coconut oil, but that also separates immediately and tends to be clumpy.