For those who need something nutritious on the go, healthy smoothie recipes can be the perfect solution. All you need to do is throw a few ingredients into a blender, grab a straw and a glass, and you’re ready to go in seconds. Simple, right? However, not every smoothie will help you achieve your dietary goals. In fact, many of the ready-made smoothies (including smoothie bowls) you buy in the shops are low in fibre, protein and fat, and overly sweet. But don’t worry, we’ve put together some quick, healthy and lip-smacking smoothie recipes that you can throw in your blender straight away, whether you’re looking for healthy smoothies to help you lose weight or just want a more wholesome way to start your day. (Also read: 3 delicious and healthy recipes to relish walnuts this winter season )
Smoothie Recipes for Breakfast
1. Green Smoothie
(Recipe by Chef Kunal Kapur)
Ingredients:
Apple (medium), chopped – 1no
Cucumber (small), chopped – ½ cup
Cashew nuts (soaked) – 8nos
Celery, chopped – 1 tbsp
Ginger, chopped – ¼ tsp
Lemon Juice – 1tbsp
Spinach, chopped – ½ cup
Mint leaves – handful
Moringa leaves – ¼ cup
Kale, chopped – ½ cup
Ice cold water – ½ cup
Method:
1. In a mixer grinder add apple, cucumber, cashew nuts, celery, ginger, lemon juice and ice cold water. Blend it to gather until smooth.
2. Once this is blended add all the leaves into it along with some ice cold water. Blend it fine into a smoothie. You can stain the green smoothie or can serve it as is.
3. Quick tip – make sure all the ingredients are cold and once the green smoothie is made serve it immediately.
2. Banana Smoothie
(Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor)
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 cup low-fat yogurt
¼ cup low-fat milk
A pinch of cardamom powder
2 tablespoons honey
¼ cup walnut kernels + for garnishing
Method:
1. Peel and cut banana.
2. Blend banana with yogurt, milk, honey, walnuts and cardamom powder till smooth.
3. Serve immediately garnished with walnut kernels.
3. Apple and Date Smoothie
(Recipe by Chef Tarla Dalal)
Ingredients:
2 cups chilled, peeled and roughly chopped apple
8 deseeded and chopped black dates (kala khajur)
¾ cup chilled whisked curds (dahi)
½ cup ice-cubes
Method:
1. Combine the apples, dates, curds and ice-cubes and blend in a juicer till the mixture is smooth and frothy.
2. Pour equal quantities of the smoothie into 2 individual glasses.
3. Serve immediately.
4. Avocado Smoothie Bowl
(Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor)
Ingredients:
2 medium avocados
20-30 baby spinach leaves
4 bananas, peeled and frozen
3 tbsps blanched and peeled pistachios
2 cups milk
2 kiwis, peeled
Banana slices for garnish
Orange segments for garnish
Fresh pomegranate pearls to sprinkle
Edible flowers for garnish
Halved almonds for garnish
Desiccated coconut to sprinkle
Method:
1. Deseed avocado and remove pulp. Transfer in a blender jar.
2. Add baby spinach leaves, bananas, pistachios, milk and blend to a smooth puree.
3. Transfer in a serving bowl. Arrange kiwi, banana slices and orange segments on top.
4. Sprinkle pomegranate pearls on top.
5. Garnish with edible flowers and halved almonds.
6. Sprinkle desiccated coconut on top and serve.
5. Papaya Smoothie
(Recipe by Chef Tarla Dalal)
Ingredients:
2 cups papaya cubes
3/4 cup chilled milk
1/2 cup curd (dahi)
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla essence
12 ice-cubes
Method:
1. To make papaya smoothie, combine all the ingredients in a mixer and blend till smooth.
2. Pour the papaya smoothie into 4 small glasses and serve immediately.
