Recipe: Green Tea, Watermelon, and Pear Smoothies (blender)

GREEN TEA, WATERMELON, AND PEAR SMOOTHIES

"Delicately pink in color, this refreshing smoothie has an intriguing flavor. Ripe honeydew or Crenshaw melon can be substituted for the watermelon, with equally delicious results. Matcha powder is made from shade-grown Japanese green tea leaves that have been ground to a powdery consistency."

1 cup regular or low-fat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons matcha powder*
1/2 cup chilled green tea
2 medium-size ripe pears, cored, peeled, and quartered
2 heaping cups chopped seedless watermelon
4 ice cubes

Put the yogurt into a small dish and carefully whisk in the matcha powder in small amounts until smooth and fully incorporated.

Put the yogurt mixture into a blender along with the chilled green tea, pears, and watermelon. Add the ice cubes and blend for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed, or until the ice is completely crushed and incorporated.

Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

*Note: Some grades of matcha are reserved for use in the Japanese tea ceremony, while others are used for more casual tea drinking and for adding flavor and vivid green color to sauces and desserts. I recommend using Kiri No Ne matcha from Japan; it comes freshness-sealed in little tins

Makes 2 to 4 servings
Source: Green Tea by Mary Lou Heiss