Paul’s No-Cacao Banana Berry Smoothie w Tiger Nut Milk, in the Garden

Last weekend, my brother and sister-in-law paid a visit during their farewell tour before emigrating to the US. You can read about it here. We had lots of fun and lots of food, all homemade apart from the Persian Christmas Pudding, courtesy of Heston Blumenthal at Waitrose! Remembering that I had caused him to sample rather too much cacao last visit*, I suggested to Paul that we make a different and simpler breakfast smoothie using tiger nut milk, which they had both sampled and approved the previous evening.

This is the result:

And this is the recipe:

We used the larger Froothie UK Optimum blender and it made enough for the three of us.

All amounts are very approximate!

Rich in protein, calcium, antioxidants, B vitamins, omega oils, potassium and other minerals, vitamin E, prebiotics and probiotics for a healthy gut, fibre.

Vegan, organic, gluten-free.

Ingredients

2 Bananas

Large handful frozen Mixed Berries

2 Heaped Tbsps Golden Linseeds

2 Tbsps Chia Seeds

1 Medjool Date

2 Heaped Tbsps CoYo Live Plain or Vanilla Coconut Yogurt

500mls Homemade Tiger Nut Milk (see here for recipe). Add more if you want a thinner smoothie.

Blend on fast for 60 seconds.

The chia seeds will thicken it if left to stand for a couple of minutes.

I like to use a spoon.

(See Golden Linseeds (aka Flax Seeds): The Original Superfood? and Three Cheers for Chias! What Are Chia Seeds & How Do I Use Them? Recipes included for the benefits of these amazing seeds).

Remember to drink water when consuming chia seeds as they swell and form a gel which helps create a healthy gut and clear the digestive system.

*

The morning was just warm and fine enough to sit outside and listen to the birds. The garden has come to life now, with forget-me-nots and aubretia really showing off while the bright pink Japanese azalea (below), not quite in full splendour, was doing its best to compete.

Oh, and meet Slugger, descendant of Bruiser, we know this (not really!) because they both had/have white patches on their head and back. They are so-called because they see off all-comers and take no prisoners! Mrs Slugger is busy with their newly-hatched offspring.

*See Paul’s ‘Too Much Cacao’ Banana Baobab Smoothie! – oddly, it’s become one of my most popular posts!

The Raw Chocolate Company for cacao and chia seeds.

The Tiger Nut Company  for organic, peeled tiger nuts.

CoYo yogurts are available at Ocado and Waitrose.

Copyright: Chris McGowan