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Drinks

Energizing Apple Beet Coconut Smoothie.

2 Comments on Energizing Apple Beet Coconut Smoothie.

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Here’s one of those drinks which is guaranteed to give you a boost of energy, especially during those draining winter months we experience in Canada. I was visiting mom and dad in Toronto a while back and I saw she had brought back a ton of Turmeric from our garden in Trinidad and Tobago. She went on to mention that she makes this drink for dad and my sister (who lives close to them), so I got her to share the concoction with me. I’ve been making this smoothie ever since then.

You’ll Need…

4 beets
2 apples
1 tablespoon fresh turmeric
2 slices ginger
3-4 cups coconut water (unsweetened)
1 tablespoon honey – optional

 Important: Please wear gloves when handling the beets as the RED juice will stain your hands.

Basically all you have to do is peel and cube the beets (save the tops for salads or to cook as you would other ‘greens’)  and core/cube the apples.

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I also scrapped off the other skin of the turmeric with a spoon, but I didn’t bother to peel the ginger.

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Add all the ingredients to your blender and puree until smooth. I’d recommend chilling everything before you make the smoothie, so you don;t have to add ice and water it down.

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My intention was to post this recipe on ChrisDeLaRosa.com, but my mom mentioned that while one may not associate this smoothie with the Caribbean (because of the apple) this is made and enjoyed in one form or the other at ‘home’.

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Drinks

Simple Energizing Green Smoothie.

Leave a Comment on Simple Energizing Green Smoothie.

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When I was a kid on the islands smoothies wasn’t a ‘thing”, however we did have ‘punches’! With milk (in most cases) as it’s base, they included many of the exotic tropical fruits we are blessed with in the Caribbean. Today you can still see many punch vendors (known as the “punch-man”) in all the major cities and towns, but smoothies are just as common and many people include them as part of their daily breakfast or workout regime.

With all the requests I’ve been getting lately, I’ve decided to dedicate a full week to smoothies for your enjoyment!

You’ll Need…

1 stick celery
1 mango
2 cups spinach
2-3 cups coconut water
1/2 avocado
2 thin slices of ginger
1 banana

Wash the spinach and drain, then give the celery a rough chop and add them both to your blender. Go in with the ripe banana, ginger (I didn’t even bother peeling it) as well as the peeled avocado and diced mango.

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Top with the coconut water and hit the puree or blend setting on your blender for a couple minutes (my blender had a smoothie setting). Feel free to add a few cubes of ice if you wish and frozen mango (pre packaged)  will work just as well as fresh mango if that’s all you have access to.

I usually chill my ingredients, especially the mango and coconut water so I don’t have use ice cubes, which can water-down this smoothie. Please drink immediately or you’ll find that it will not maintain in brilliant color and may start to break down (separate) after it’s been sitting for a while.

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* You can go in with a tablespoon or more of honey or agave, if you’d like to ad a bit more sweetness than what the banana and mango will already have.

Drinks

Extreme Caribbean Peanut Punch Recipe.

3 Comments on Extreme Caribbean Peanut Punch Recipe.

I don’t have to remind you that if you or anyone sharing this drink is allergic to peanuts, stay away at all costs. Peanut punch or peanut drink as it’s sometimes called in the Caribbean, is a rich and creamy drink made with peanuts as the base as the name would hint. Traditionally it’s made with peanut butter (or you can grind freshly roasted peanuts, but who needs all that work), milk, condensed milk and with a hint of vanilla, but this time we’ll take things to the extreme by adding some more ingredients. So this is not your traditional peanut punch recipe.

 

You’ll Need…

2 cups milk (cold)
2 heaping tablespoon peanut butter
6 blocks milk chocolate
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 ripe banana

Notes. You can personalize this further by using whatever (fat content) milk you normally use and try to use a good milk chocolate – one you enjoy. The chocolate and vanilla ice cream will be enough to sweeten this drink, so there’s no need for sugar or condensed milk.

 

Give the chocolate a rough chop so it’s easier for the blender as well as the banana. Then place everything into the blender and blitz until you have a smooth consistency. Try to ensure the milk is cold as we really don’t want to add ice in the blender as I’ve seen other recipes do.

Chill in the fridge and serve cold (add ice if necessary to the glass) . This can remain in the fridge for a couple days, but do remember to give it a good stir before serving as the ingredients may settle when stored.

There’s enough in this recipe for 2 people and it’s easy to multiply the recipe if you plan on making a bigger batch. This is really a meal in itself and great way to start your Caribbean morning.

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