The 30-Minute Vegan - Mark Reinfeld [21]
PEACH-STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
Breakfast in a glass is the way to go on busy mornings. Consider this nature’s bounty in a made-for-the-road package. You can find organic frozen strawberries and peaches in 10-ounce bags at health food stores. If you use fresh peaches and/or strawberries rather than frozen for this beverage, you won’t need to use so much apple juice. Start with one cup instead of two. If you don’t have any frozen bananas on hand, fresh will do. Do not thaw the fruit before blending.
MAKES TWO 16-OUNCE SERVINGS
2 frozen bananas
5 ounces frozen strawberries (about 1 heaping cup)
5 ounces frozen peaches (about 1 heaping cup)
2 cups apple juice
1. Blend all of the ingredients together on high speed until smooth. You may need to add a little more apple juice.
2. Go slowly—you can always add more but you can’t take it away.
Variations
• Try substituting soy milk, pineapple juice, or your favorite juice for the apple juice.
• Try adding 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lime juice for a zestier flavor.
• Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract for a creamier flavor.
Superfoods for Health
Enhance the power of your smoothies with some high-nutrition add-ons. Some of our favorites include spirulina, ground flaxseeds, maca powder, cacao nibs, or goji berries. We sometimes enjoy adding other supplements such as New Greens or Berry Fusion from Pure Prescriptions. You can also add açaí, the South American superberry that can be purchased frozen in the United States. It’s considered to have the most antioxidants of any fruit. Follow the manufacturer’s suggested serving size or just add to your heart’s content.
ALMOND BUTTER SMOOTHIE
Luscious and sweet and so good to eat, this smoothie is great when there isn’t much fruit in season. It very much helps if the bananas are frozen but it isn’t absolutely necessary. When made with freshly grated nutmeg, this smoothie becomes habit forming.
MAKES TWO 12-OUNCE SERVINGS
4 pitted dates
2 medium-size frozen bananas
6 tablespoons roasted almond butter
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of grated nutmeg (optional)
1½ cups rice milk
1. Soak the dates in water to cover for 20 minutes and strain.
2. Blend the dates with the remaining ingredients until harmony on earth prevails or until a thick, uniform consistency is reached, about 1 minute.
Variations
• Adding 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs, carob powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder to this smoothie absolutely cannot hurt.
• Substituting almond milk (see page 42) for the rice milk will move this into the ultradecadent range.
• If you don’t have dates, substitute 1 to 2 tablespoons of agave nectar or maple syrup and another ½ banana for thickness.
• ♥ For a raw version, use homemade Nut Milk (page 42) and raw almond butter.
Quicker and Easier
All these beverages have the benefits of being tasty and healthy and are good pick-me-ups for any occasion. But let’s not forgot about the ultimate beverage: good clean water. Spice up your glass of water with a few lemon or lime wedges. Herbal waters are also a refreshing change. Place a stalk of rosemary, a few sprigs of cilantro, or several basil leaves in a mason jar with water (plus ice if you like). Other flavors can be created with ginger slices, chamomile tea flowers, fresh mint, fresh ginger flowers, organic mini roses from your garden . . . the list goes on and on.
CHAPTER 4
The Morning Meal—Breakfast & Brunch
Wake up, smile, and start the day the vegan way with these healthful and satisfying morning recipes. Many say that breakfast is the most important meal, that it sets the tone for the rest of the day. This chapter provides a wide range of options for you to enjoy, from a simple multigrain hot cereal to a gourmet meal that will satisfy the hungriest among us. If you’re one of the many people who find that a live breakfast is the most energizing way to begin the day, you’ll find plenty of raw recipes to whet your