Slurp that Smoothie

There’s nothing like starting your day with a healthy breakfast smoothie. Call them shakes or smoothies, the fruits, veggies, nuts and milk in the drink can help nourish the body with vitamins, minerals, fibres and proteins. You can whip up a breakfast smoothie in several ways. All you need to do is blend in your favourite ingredients and watch the magic unfold. Talking to a few food experts, we find out more about how to make the perfect breakfast smoothie.  

Prasad Bhangre, team leader, Food & Beverage Service, Novotel Pune Viman Nagar, is of the opinion that anyone, young or old, can enjoy a breakfast smoothie. “The healthy ingredients that go into a smoothie enhances nutrient absorption, increases energy levels and boosts the immune system,” he says adding, “Also, breakfast smoothies are a practical drink for those who lead fast-paced lives because the ingredients that you use to make a smoothie can be anything out of your fridge and can be made in a jiffy, yet it can be healthy and tasty too.”  

Smoothies can be served and even relished by people who in general don’t like eating veggies. 

Prasad Jagdale, chef de partie, Continental Speciality, Courtyard by Marriott Pune, Chakan, believes that a majority of people nowadays skip breakfast not because they are not hungry but due to paucity of time. “A breakfast smoothie comes as a saviour because preparing a smoothie, which hardly takes a few minutes, is quick and easy, and is a healthy option during the rush hours and is filling too. So, it makes for a perfect drink to kickstart the day.”   

Jagdale believes that a smoothie is a practical drink, because it is a full-fledged meal which can be consumed on the go and it comes with a plethora of health benefits — increased energy levels, improved digestion, healthy bones and last but not the least, a glowing skin.” 

According to Jagdale, the most important ingredients in a smoothie are yoghurt and nuts for the protein intake, and one vegetable or fruit to enrich it with vitamins and minerals.   

Chef Ubeid Khan, Sorted. Delicatessen, Kalyani Nagar, is of the opinion that smoothies are a great way to incorporate healthy produce that one does not usually enjoy in their diet. “The good thing about smoothies is that you can easily blend a cup of any fresh greens and some fruits, and you can easily disguise the taste while still get the nutritional benefits of green leafy vegetables.” 

For those who find it impossible to squeeze in a meal on busy days, smoothies can come to their rescue. A smoothie with the right ingredients can fill you up and act as a stand-in for a real meal. Ideally, a smoothie should have both protein and fibre, which work to keep you full and satisfied. “Adding a few leafy greens and fresh fruits will add the right amount of antioxidants and boost the nutritional value of the smoothie and keep you going through the day feeling fresh and rejuvenated,” he says.

PINE VOCADO
Ingredients
- Romain lettuce... - 50gm
- Pineapple.. - .40gm
- Orange, peeled.. - .1
- Avocado, pitted... - ½ 
- Coconut flakes.. - .2 tbsp 
- Chia seeds... - 1 tbsp
- Mint leaves... - 1 sprig
- Coconut water... - 1 cup
- Ice.. - .1 cup

Method
- Mix all the ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth and serve.
(Recipe by chef Ubeid Khan, Sorted. Delicatessen)

SUPERCHARGED SMOOTHIE
Ingredients
- Aloe vera juice... - 180ml
- Strawberries... - 4
- Watermelon... - 4 slices
- Sugar.. - .2 tbsp
- Ice cubes.. - .2
- A pinch of salt

Method
- Mix all the ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately. 
(Recipe by Prasad Bhangre, team leader, Food & Beverage Service)

ULTRA-CREAMY AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
Ingredients
- Milk... - 1 cup
- Sweetened condensed milk.. - . ½ cup
- Ice, crushed.. - .2 cups 
- Avocados, pitted. - ..2

Method
- Blend the milk, sweetened condensed milk and ice in a blender until smooth. Add the avocado flesh and blend again until smooth. The mixture will be quite thick; add cold water, a few tablespoons at a time, blending after each addition, until the mixture has pouring consistency.
- Taste and add more sweetened condensed milk if you want it sweeter. Serve the chilled drink in glasses with straws.
(Recipe by Prasad Jagdale, chef de partie, Continental Speciality, Courtyard by Marriott Pune, Chakan)