Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie

It’s cherry season and what better way to celebrate this sweet fruit than with this healthy Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie

Note: this post contains Amazon affiliate links.

When in season, cherries are abundant in the grocery stores and farmers markets, making it a perfect time to make this healthy Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie. Cherries come in many varieties, ranging from tart to sweet. Bing cherries are easily found in the stores and they’re perfect to use for smoothies because they’re sweet, not bitter or tart. So grab a bag or two or three of cherries when in season, especially if you like smoothies. You can pit them easily with a cherry pitter and freeze them for later use in your smoothies!

Since I make smoothies daily, I keep an abundance of frozen fruits in my freezer. For fresh fruits that are in season and that I want to freeze, or like bananas that I peel and break in half, I use these silicone reusable ziplock bags. Money-saver and eco-friendly!

You may also enjoy this Fruit Smoothies Digital Recipe Card Bundle. Beautiful and colorful fruit smoothie recipes are available as digital downloads, sized in 4 x 6, for easy printing on your end. Five recipes are included in this downloadable PDF bundle. Each recipe is contained on one page. Learn more here.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie

Who could resist this delicious blend of cherry and vanilla? Add the cherries, along with some vanilla protein powder to some vanilla flavored almond milk OR coconut milk; blend with a high-powered blender and you’re in for a healthy smoothie to keep you powered up.

Other smoothie recipes you may like:
Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie
Apple Cinnamon Protein Smoothie
Blueberry Pineapple Protein Smoothie

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

 

Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie
Author:
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk OR coconut milk (from carton, not can)
  • 1 scoop of vanilla or plain protein powder
  • 1 cup frozen cherries, pitted
  • 1 - 2 Tbsp honey (optional; adjust according to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, adjust according to taste)
  • ice (optional; if your cherries aren't frozen, you may consider adding a little ice to your smoothie)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and mix.

  2. Taste and add honey and /or vanilla extract to taste. Blend.

  3. Pour into your favorite smoothie glass and enjoy.

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It's cherry season and what better way to celebrate this sweet fruit than with this healthy Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie

Cherry Vanilla Protein Smoothie

 

 

 

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15 Quick and Easy Grilling Recipes

These 15 Quick and Easy Grilling Recipes will have you firing up your grill during winter, spring, summer and fall!

15 Quick and Easy Grilling Recipes

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Most folks think grilling season is confined to the summer months, but here in the south, grilling season is actually a year-round activity. Summer is obviously prime grilling season, but fall brings tailgating food and grilling. Winter and spring are also times to grill burgers, steak, seafood and veggies. Here are 15 quick and easy grilling recipes that will keep you grilling year-round.

Make sure you have the proper grilling equipment!

GRILLED ORANGE BEEF KABOBS
Recipe and photo courtesy of A Sprinkling of Cayenne

Grilled Orange Beef Kabobs

GRILLED HAWAIIAN PORK CHOPS
Recipe and photo courtesy of The Life of Jolie

Grilled Hawaiian Pork Chops

MARINATED PINEAPPLE AND CILANTRO CHICKEN KABOBS
Recipe and photo courtesy of Zesty Olive

Pineapple Chicken Kabobs

EASY GRILLED FAJITA BURGERS WITH GUACAMOLE
Recipe and photo courtesy of Two Healthy Kitchens

Grilled Fajita Burgers

GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGE KABOBS
Recipe and photo courtesy of The Seasoned Mom

Grilled Italian Sausage Kabobs

GRILLED FLANK STEAK PINWHEELS
Recipe and photo courtesy of That Guy Who Grills

Grilled Flank Steak Pinwheels


GRILLED HONEY CHICKEN AND PEA SALAD
Recipe and photo courtesy of No Spoon Necessary

Grilled Honey Chicken and Pea Salad

GRILLED PECAN AND BLUEBERRY CRISP
Recipe and photo courtesy of Spoonful of Flavor

Grilled Peach and Blueberry Crisp

GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH CINNAMON HONEY DRIZZLE
Recipe and photo courtesy of Wine and Glue

Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle

CHIMICHURRI GRILLED SHRIMP
Recipe and photo courtesy of Fantastic Food

Chimichurri Grilled Shrimp

GRILLED CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
Recipe and photo courtesy of My Wife Can Cook

Grilled Chipotle Shrimp Tacos


GRILLED CEDAR PLANK SALMON
Recipe and photo courtesy of The Jenny Evolution

Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon

GRILLED YUCA WITH GARLIC MOJO SAUCE
Recipe and photo courtesy of Living Sweet Moments

Grilled Yuca with Garlic Mojo Sauce

GRILLED EGGPLANT PARMESAN STACKS
Recipe and photo courtesy of Flavor The Moments

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks

GRILLED PORTOBELLO AND SUMMER SQUACH QUESADILLAS
Recipe and photo courtesy of The Roasted Root

Grilled Portobello and Summer Squash Quesadillas

You might also enjoy:

Marinated Beef Kabobs With Veggies
Grilled Corn On The Cob With Herb Butter

If you like these recipes, consider joining the Zesty Recipes Facebook Group. We’d love to have you!

Don’t forget to pin and share!

15 Quick and Easy Grilling Recipes

 

 

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Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad

For a twist on a classic Italian salad, try my Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad.

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

For a twist on the classic Italian Caprese salad, I use mini heirlooms and roast the salad to intensify the flavors. Mini heirloom tomatoes are readily available in grocery stores in the US these days, but this salad will, of course, work beautifully with any large heirloom tomatoes you find. I like to vary the tomato colors. In addition to the traditional red, try to find yellow, green, and even the darker shade, which looks between purple and black. The green of the basil and the white of the mozzarella cheese balls will create a gorgeous display.

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
This salad is so easy to put together. I drizzled a little olive oil in the bottom of a casserole dish, sliced the larger mini tomatoes and left a few of the smaller ones whole and added them to the dish. Salt them with some Himalayan sea salt. Add a few basil leaves (not all of them!) and roast  for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to soften. The basil leaves will turn brown; that’s okay, you will remove them before serving and replace with fresh basil leaves.

For the last 5 minutes or so of the roasting, add the mozzarella cheese balls – not too many – and let them just begin to melt during the last few minutes in the oven. Remove from the oven, make sure the roasted basil leaves have been removed and replace with fresh basil leaves.

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Admire the pretty salad! Take a photo of it if you like! At this point, you could serve the salad as is; it’s delicious! However, I like to drizzle just a wee bit more olive oil and just a touch of balsamic vinegar over it before serving.

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Enjoy!
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.



Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Roasted Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Author:
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
  • You can customize the serving sizes depending on how much of each ingredient you choose to use, therefore, no set amount of each ingredient is given.

  • Mini Heirloom tomatoes, slice larger ones; leave small ones whole
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Fresh mozzarella mini cheese balls, or mozzarella, sliced
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Himalayan Sea Salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

  2. Drizzled a little olive oil in the bottom of a casserole dish.

  3. Sliced the larger mini tomatoes and leave the smaller ones whole. Add tomatoes to the dish.

  4. Salt tomatoes.

  5. Add a few basil leaves (not all of them) and roast for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to soften. The basil leaves will turn brown; that’s okay, you will remove them before serving and replace with fresh basil leaves.

  6. Remove from oven and add mozzarella cheese balls.

  7. Return to oven for 3-5 minutes, or until cheese begins to melt.

  8. Remove from the oven, and remove wilted basil leaves. Replace with fresh basil leaves.

  9. Serve as is, or drizzle just a little more olive oil and just a touch of balsamic vinegar over the salad before serving.

Don’t’ forget to pin and share!

Roasted-Tomato-Basil-Mozzarella-Caprese-Salad

Roasted-Tomato-Basil-Mozzarella-Caprese-Salad

 

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