by Kim Cooke, Acqualina’s Spa Therapy Manager
Tired of your humdrum strawberry-banana smoothie? Jazz things up (and cool down) with these summer blends that pair seasonal produce with unexpected culinary flavor-boosters.
Pineapple-Basil Smoothie
While it might seem strange to add a savory herb to a smoothie, basil has a slight licorice note, and in small quantities it adds an exotic flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 banana
- 1½ c frozen pineapple chunks
- 2 basil leaves torn
- ⅛ tsp peeled and grated ginger
Procedure:
Add all of the ingredients to the blender, starting with the coconut milk. Cover and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.
Coconut-Carrot Smoothie
This brilliant orange-colored smoothie tastes of apple, mango, and coconut. The lemon juice intensifies the flavors, but it does make the smoothie a bit tart, so follow your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cup coconut milk
- ¾ cup chopped carrots chilled
- 1 small apple cored,
- ¾ c frozen mango chunks
- 2 tsp lemon juice, optional
Procedure:
Add all of the ingredients to the blender, starting with the coconut milk. Cover and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds.