Do you ever have cravings for something you’ve never even tasted? Well, that happened to me yesterday when I picked up a basket of local strawberries from the market up the street. I happened to have a quart of whole milk from Strauss Family Creamery in the fridge and all I could think about was combining those bright red berries with a glass of that rich and creamy milk.

I had never craved strawberry milk before. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted it. But something inside me knew that it was the right combination.

First I filled a tall glass with one cup of fresh strawberry halves.

Then I added one cup of whole milk plus a couple spoonfuls of sugar.

Then I just blended the whole thing together using my favorite kitchen appliance, the Braun Multiquick Hand Blender.

The result was a rich, thick and creamy milkshake that I enjoyed ten times more than the elaborate smoothies that I sometimes make in the morning.

Now some of you might be shocked that I have whole milk in the fridge. I know that you probably stopped drinking whole milk years ago and most people I know don’t even remember what the real thing tastes like.

It’s true that I use skim milk on my cereal and for most other daily needs. But I almost always have a quart of whole milk on hand for special things. For instance, I like to use whole milk in my cappuccinos. I also like to use whole milk when I make something like french toast. And now, I like to use it in my strawberry milk. Quite frankly, I don’t think it’s going to kill me. Everything in moderation, right?

For those of you who are used to eating nothing but fat free dairy products, a glass of this strawberry milk will taste like a rich and luxurious treat. And with only 144 calories and four grams of fat per serving, it’s not going to sabotage your diet. Give it a try!

Strawberry Milk

1 cup fresh strawberry halves
1 cup whole milk
1 -2 tablespoons sugar (to taste)

Blend all ingredients until smooth using a hand blender or traditional blender.

Yield: 2 servings

Nutrition info per serving (using 2 T. sugar): 144 calories; 4 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat); 24 grams total carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 4 grams protein

Notes: For those of you who need or want to stay away from sugar, I made a version of this drink using powdered stevia in place of the sugar. I added two packets of Trader Joe’s brand powdered stevia in place of the sugar and it tasted great! I personally don’t use chemical sweeteners like splenda but if that’s what you prefer, I’m sure it will work great too.