Springtime smoothie with vanilla and lime
A quick and easy drink this week, building up to Easter brunch. Using just five ingredients, this fresh and healthy smoothie celebrates spring like nothing else!
The magic flavour combination comes from coconut, lime and fresh vanilla, three ingredients which I think are just made for each other. I use fresh vanilla seeds whenever I can, not just for the wonderful flavour they add to the food, but also because of the luscious scent they spread in the kitchen when you leave the emptied pods lying about for a while after using. Don’t throw those pods away after using the seeds, by the way. They still add quite a bit of flavour when you cook them with your porridge, for example; alternatively you can store them in a bit of demerara sugar for homemade vanilla sugar.
I usually serve this smoothie as part of a festive brunch or lunch, but the banana base makes it perfectly suitable as a quick and filling breakfast or snack on its own. Just top with some extra seeds, fruits or coconut shavings and you’re ready to go!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Springtime smoothie with vanilla and lime – serves 4 (makes appr. 800 ml)
Ingredients
- 300 ml non-fat dairy yogurt or plantbased yogurt of choice
- 100 ml coconut milk
- zest and juice of 2 limes
- 4 bananas
- seeds from half a vanilla pod
- topping of choice, such as coconut flakes, blueberries or toasted sunflower seeds
To turn this smoothie into a milkshake or smoothie bowl, just slice the bananas and freeze the slices for two hours before preparation.
Preparation
Pour the yogurt and coconut milk into a blender, then add the lime juice, the fresh or frozen banana pieces and the vanilla seeds. Whizz until smooth and creamy. Depending on your taste, you can add a tablespoon of agave syrup for extra sweetness, but the banana and coconut milk already balance the acidity of the lime juice quite nicely on their own, so I usually leave it out.
Divide the smoothie or milkshake over four glasses or bowls, sprinkle with the lime zest and finish with the topping of your choice.
Enjoy as part of a festive brunch or lunch, or on its own as a quick snack or breakfast.
