Some mornings are too busy to allow for cooking, or even chewing. On such mornings (or, sometimes, afternoons) I’ll make myself a protein shake. I keep it simple: a big scoop of protein powder, frozen fruit, water, and a little half & half. That tastes fine, but I recently found myself craving a more intense fruity flavor. So instead of adding more frozen fruit, I reached for a jar of strawberry jam.
Why you should add jam to your smoothie or shake
One might think the easiest way to add more “fruit flavor” to a smoothie or shake would be to add more fruit, but fruit actually isn’t very concentrated. Adding fruit, whether frozen or fresh, adds bulk to your smoothie, increasing the volume you have to consume with each addition. It also adds water, which can dilute the flavor and, if your fruit is frozen, may necessitate the need for more liquid to blend it properly (which brings us back to the volume problem).
Blending devices for all of your smoothie needs:
Jam is made from fruit, yes, but fruit that has been cooked down with sugar. A lot of the water has been driven off during cooking, creating a thicker, concentrated fruit substance that adds flavor without bulk (or water, or ice). Jam also has a good bit of sugar, which means it tastes good, but it also inhibits freezing, keeping your smoothie or shake free flowing.
On the dessert end of the spectrum, it’s an easy way to make a strawberry (or cherry, or blueberry) milkshake, even if the only ice cream you have is plain vanilla. There’s no need to adjust your liquid-to-solid ratios; just spoon it in to taste.
How much jam is enough?
For most smoothies and shakes, a tablespoon or two is enough, but I wouldn’t be mad if you added more than that, as I have been known to eat Bonne Maman strawberry preserves with a spoon. Blend your smoothie or shake as you usually would, give it a taste to get a baseline, then dollop in your jam of choice and blend again. Give it another taste, and repeat as needed.
I usually make my protein shakes to taste, but this morning I actually measured everything out. Feel free to use my recipe as a template, or ignore it completely and set off on your own smoothie adventure.
Strawberry Jam Protein Shake
Ingredients:
1 scoop (24 grams) unflavored whey protein powder4 ounces water2 tablespoons half & half1 heaping cup frozen fruit of choice2 tablespoons strawberry jamAdd the first three ingredients to a blender, or cup large enough to accommodate an immersion blender, and blend to dissolve the protein powder. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Give it a taste and add a little more jam if you so desire. (I often do.)
