Watermelon Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie Beside an Egg Salad

A smoothie can add fruit flavor to a meal without becoming an oversized drink. This watermelon strawberry version uses plain nonfat yogurt and water, with no juice, syrup, or cream in the base. Serve a modest glass beside an egg-and-vegetable salad rather than relying on the smoothie to stand in for every component of lunch. The quantities below make one smoothie serving. Measure before adding ice Set out 1/2 cup cubed seedless watermelon, 1/4 cup hulled strawberries, 1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt, and 2 tablespoons cold water. Two small ice cubes are optional. Remove the watermelon rind and any hard seeds you find. Wash the strawberries before removing their tops. Watermelon already contributes plenty of liquid, so begin with the measured water instead of filling the blender jar from the tap. Blend for a soft pink finish Put the water and yogurt in first, then add the watermelon and strawberries. Blend until the fruit is broken down and the color is consistent. Add the ice only after the mixture is circulating, then blend briefly again. Frozen strawberries can replace fresh ones if you prefer a colder result; you may not need ice in that case. If the drink looks thin, do not keep adding fruit without measuring. Simply use less water in the next batch. Assemble the salad separately For a simple lunch idea, put 2 cups mixed salad greens in a bowl with 1/2 cup chopped cucumber and 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes. Add 2 sliced fully cooked eggs and dress with 1 teaspoon olive oil plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Serve whole-grain toast on the side if desired. These are separate meal ingredients, not items to put in the blender. Adjust the meal to your own needs, and keep eggs and other perishable ingredients refrigerated until preparation. Keep the flavor clear The smoothie is meant to taste like watermelon and berries, not a dessert shake. Ripe fruit usually gives a better result than compensating for bland fruit with a sweetened yogurt. If you use a different yogurt, check its label and expect the flavor to change. A small amount of fresh fruit can vary noticeably in sweetness from one batch to another, so taste before deciding the recipe needs any additions. Make the serving practical Prepare the salad first and blend the smoothie just before eating. That order keeps the drink cold and prevents the greens from waiting while you troubleshoot the blender. A measured recipe can help you repeat a portion, but it does not establish a universal calorie target for the whole meal. Store any remainder covered in the refrigerator and stir before drinking, since watermelon smoothies separate naturally. Keep toppings simple and enjoy the meal at a pace that suits you. #WatermelonSmoothie #StrawberrySmoothie #LunchIdeas #MeasuredPortions