Smoothie City

 

My cousin Laila came to visit me about 3 weeks ago  and we had an amazing time getting into all kinds of things. From trying out new restaurants (look out for a post featuring one coming soon!), paddle-boarding, reading loads of books, and of course....making food. She's very health conscious and always inspires me to eat better, and before she came I'd gotten into breakfast smoothies. Let's just say that when she got here smoothie making really kicked into high gear. Green smoothies in particular were a favourite! I love how I feel after having one for breakfast, and the benefits of having a totally raw meal to start your day is a no-brainer for good health.

Here are 2 smoothie recipes that I've put on heavy rotation: a Green smoothie and a Pumpkin Pie Spice smoothie that could easily pass for a dessert.

 

 

Green Smoothie:

• 3-4 kale leaves, washed (you can leave the stems on or save them for something else like a juice)
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed
• 1.5 cups of very cold water
• 2-3 bananas
• 1/2 cup of oats (optional)

Put everything in the blender, and let it go on high for about 2 minutes. 

 

Pumpkin Pie Spice Smoothie

 

 

• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (not canned. I suggest boiling then pureeing fresh pumpkin). Or use 1/2 cup grated raw pumpkin
• 2 frozen bananas
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk
• 1/2 cup cold water (or ice if your bananas aren't frozen)
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon  nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove

Put all the ingredients in the blender, let it go for 2 minutes and serve!

Plantain Porridge

 

Besides being delicious, this porridge on it's own is completely vegan and sugar-free. Using ripe plantains makes it naturally sweet and it's the perfect energizing breakfast that will last you till lunch.

 

Plantain Porridge

•           3 plantains, very ripe
•           3 cups of water
•           ¼ cup whole wheat flour (all purpose is fine)
•           1 tsp mixed essence or any preferred extract/essence
•           ½ tsp cinnamon
•           1/8  tsp ground clove
•           2 crumbled crackers

 Peel plantains and chop small. 

Put plantains in a blender with flour and ½ cup of water. Blend till smooth (about 2 minutes)

Bring 2 ½ cups of water to boil in a medium saucepan, add a pinch of salt.

Add plantain mixture slowly, whisking while pouring.

Whisk gently for 3 minutes

Turn heat down and let porridge summer for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on this so it doesn’t spill over.

Add all the spices at the end and mix well. 

Then it's time for the finisher…….

Eclipse crackers! 

 Eclipse is the Bajan cracker. The crunch of the cracker with the sweetness of the porridge is SO right! You can leave them out or use any preferred cracker (I say definitely crumble up a bunch and enjoy it).

Until next time, eat good!