Commie Chef: Blackberry smoothie

There isn't much you gather in the British countryside that is more abundant and more satisfying than blackberries.

True, the cultivated varieties are much sweeter, but they can be very expensive, whereas picking your own will cost you no more than a few scratched fingers.

As well as being versatile and delicious, blackberries are highly nutritious and beneficial to health, containing a rich concentration of vitamins, essential minerals, dietary fibre and antioxidants. They're also remarkably low in calories.

If you have only found a few, or have had to pay for them, you can add them to the apples for a pie or crumble.

If you've got plenty, but they're not quite sweet enough to eat as they come, try this recipe, which avoids using sugar yet still produces a sweet treat.

The recipe below gives quantities per person. Just multiply up for the number you're anticipating feeding.

You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.

Ingredients

4oz/110g blackberries

Half a medium banana, sliced

125g (standard) carton plain yoghurt

4fl.oz/110ml milk or soya milk

What to do

Put the blackberries, banana, yogurt, ice cubes and 1/4 cup milk in blender and blend until fruit is pureed and ingredients are well combined and smooth.