Frozen Chocolate Smoothie

A delicious and healthy, frozen chocolate smoothie. Made with frozen fruit, cacao and hidden greens. Blended until smooth and frozen.

SMOOTHIE OR FROZEN SMOOTHIE

You have the option of turning this in either:

• a drinkable smoothie by simply adding almond milk or water until the desired consistency is reached.

• don't freeze the smoothie after it has been blended and enjoy it straight away

• or pop it in the freezer for about 20 minutes for a thick, frozen dessert consistency.

ARE SMOOTHIE BOWLS HEALTHY?

Depending on the ingredients you use, they can be an excellent sweet treat as they are packed with nutrients. Adding vegetables such as cauliflower, courgette or spinach are a great way to get in more veggies.... and you won't even taste them.

They make a healthier option to sorbets or ice cream, and without any of the sugars or additives.

Due to the nutrients and antioxidants in the fruit and vegetables, these promote good gut health and could help with weight loss.

Adding powders such a protein powder, maca powder, ground spices or green powders can boost the nutrient intake.

Smoothie bowls can also be a great breakfast or lunch in summer. Although, I have to admit I even enjoy these when it's cold outside. Sitting under a snuggly blanket helps.

A BLENDER

Using a good quality blender will certainly help achieve a thick and smooth consistency. Blenders of a poorer quality might not blend the fruit as smooth and could take longer to blend, which means the smoothie will be less thick as the frozen elements will be completely melted

TIPS FOR AN ULTRA THICK SMOOTHIE BOWL

Freeze your fruit and vegetables! This is key to achieve a thick smoothie.

Add as little as possible liquid. Adding liquid will make it easier to blend, but I'd rather let the frozen fruit sit at room temperature for a few minutes (to soften a bit) instead of adding liquid. Just keep blending until the fruit is pureed and smooth.

Another good tip is also to replace any added liquids with ice cubes for frozen almond milk cubes.

THE FRUIT

Fruit such as bananas, mango or even courgette will help get a creamier texture. Fruit such as berries and apples have a higher water content and will create more of a sorbet consistency.

I buy my frozen fruit from a local supermarket. It is a lot cheaper than freezing them from fresh, and more often then not the fruit was frozen when in season.

The only negative I find is that sometimes the fruit pieces will be different sizes, example their strawberries. I often have bags with a mixture of large and small strawberries. Obviously the larger strawberries will take longer to blend. The longer you blend the fruit, the softer and "runnier" the smoothie will be.

You can use fresh fruit, but the consistency will be different.

TODAY I USED

• frozen banana

• frozen strawberries

• frozen cherries

• baby leaf spinach

• almond butter

• unsweetened, organic cacao powder

• organic maca powder, to help boosting my energy and improve my mood

ADD YOUR FAVOURITE TOPPINGS

Fresh fruit, nuts, nut butters, seeds, hempseeds, cacao nibs, coconut flakes and homemade granola are all great options to sprinkle to top.

Make sure to use a low sugar or sugar free granola if you want to keep it as healthy as possible.

YOU MIGH ALSO LIKE THESE....

tahini & date smoothie

cherry smoothie bowl

blueberry banana smoothie

vanilla pear smoothie

FROZEN CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE

A delicious and healthy chocolate smoothie. Made with fruit, cacao and hidden greens. A delicious chocolaty, healthy frozen treat.

SERVINGS: 1

TIME : 10 minutes, plus optional extra freezing

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large frozen banana

• 1 cup frozen strawberries

• 1/2 cup frozen cherries or raspberries

• a handful baby leaf spinach

• 1 tbsp almond or peanut butter

• 1 tbsp cacao powder

• 1 tsp maca powder

• almond milk, if needed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth.

2. Enjoy straight away or transfer to a freezer safe bowl and freeze for about 20 minutes.

3. Serve with your favourite toppings.
   

HAVE YOU MADE THIS?

If you have, I would love to see your creations on Instagram.

Make sure to leave a review below and please give it a rating.

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