them a bit with a straw to
release the flavor.
You can split this between
two mornings, if 32 ounces
feels like too much for you!
Coconut Lime
Macadamia Smoothie
| HANDS-ON TIME: 5 min | TOTAL TIME: 5 min, plus overnight soaking | YIELD: 1 serving |
I was a bit nervous when I set about making fruit-free smoothies for
this book, but after many unsuccessful attempts, I came up with some
great low-sugar creations, starting with this tropical-inspired goodness.
Soaking macadamia nuts overnight allows them to blend into a rich,
velvety base for the smoothie. Coconut flakes offer a stronger coconut
flavor, which is a happy companion to bright lime zest and juice. Frozen
zucchini provides bulk, nutrition, and the “chill” you would usually get
from frozen fruit in a smoothie. This smoothie is a dreamy way to start a
warm summer (or winter with the heat cranked) morning.
¼ cup raw macadamia nuts
1 tablespoon unsweetened
coconut flakes
½ cup canned coconut milk
(full-fat or light)
½ cup filtered water
½ teaspoon firmly packed lime
zest (½ lime)
Juice from 1 lime
(2 tablespoons)
1½ tablespoons maple syrup
or 15 drops liquid stevia, plus
more to taste
1 cup frozen zucchini chunks
The Night Before: Use the long-soak method to soak macadamia nuts
overnight (see page 44).
The Next Morning: Drain and rinse. Place nuts and all remaining
ingredients in a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth and
creamy. Taste for sweetness, and add more liquid stevia if you like.
Enjoy immediately.
Ideas for
LEFTOVER COCONUT
FLAKES
If you have leftover
unsweetened coconut flakes,
use them in Miso Coconut
Roasted Eggplant (page 159) or 5-Layer Magic Bars (page 313) or as a topping for Orange Ginger Tofu (page 243).
NOTE
To make frozen zucchini chunks, simply chop however
many zucchinis you like into 1-inch pieces, and freeze them in an
even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once
frozen, transfer to plastic container or sealable plastic bag.
You can use this method for frozen fruit as well.
Maple Tahini Date Shake
| HANDS-ON TIME: 4 min | TOTAL TIME: 4 min | YIELD: 1 serving |
For all my babes out there who want something a little more indulgent,
but still nutritious, this is the smoothie for you. Actually, I call it a shake
because it really tastes and feels like the classic accompaniment to a
burger and fries. Well, maybe not 100 percent classic, because I use
bananas, rich in potassium and vitamin C, instead of ice cream. I also use
dates instead of caramel-from-a-can, and tahini to add a little calcium and
a hint of savory flavor. Tiny splashes of maple extract and salt take this
recipe to another level, and I am here for it. This shake is a perfect pre- or
post-workout meal, with its balance of complex carbs, healthy fat, and
protein. I love to throw this together when I’m craving something cold and
decadent but want to avoid going face-first into a pint of ice cream!
½ cup canned coconut milk
(full-fat or light)
⅓ cup filtered water
1 large or 2 small pitted
medjool dates
1 rounded tablespoon tahini
1½ frozen bananas, cut into
chunks (1¼ cups)
Scant ¼ teaspoon ground
cinnamon
¼ teaspoon maple extract
(sub vanilla extract)
Pinch sea salt
Place all ingredients in the order listed in a high-powered blender, and
blend until smooth and creamy. Feel free to add more coconut milk or
water (I prefer the former) by the tablespoon as needed to get things
moving. Enjoy immediately.
NOTE
Want to make this a
green smoothie? Just throw
in a few handfuls of fresh
organic baby spinach.
L L’s Daily Fruit-Free
Green Smoothie
| HANDS-ON TIME: 5 min | TOTAL TIME: 5 min | YIELD: 1 serving |
I acknowledge that avocado is technically a fruit, so this smoothie’s title
is a misnomer. That said, because avocado is so low in carbohydrates
and high in fat, we are exempting it from the fruit category for our
purposes. One of the most popular recipes from my first book is the LL’s
Daily Green Smoothie. While I still love that smoothie, I wanted to offer
an alternative that’s lower in sugar. Using avocado instead of banana
maintains the thick, creamy consistency that I adore in smoothies, while
taking the sugar count down considerably. A generous dollop of almond
butter provides protein and a mild nutty flavor. As with my original green
smoothie, you won’t