Tag: lime

  • Fresh Apple, Lime & Mint Smoothie

    Fresh Apple, Lime & Mint Smoothie

    Fruit is such a delight for both body and spirit. I have never eaten this much fruit in my life (have always been a big fan of veggies, though) and i feel great. Pure, connected, clear, energetic, open. Really i wish this upon everybody.

    Smoothie Wonderland
    The main way i eat fruits nowadays, is through smoothies. I’m still in Thailand as i’m writing this, and that obviously means i am in Smoothie Wonderland. If you have never tasted tropical fruits, let me tell you: you’re missing out. Your average fruit tastes twice as rich, sweet and juicy over here. Just saying.

    Exotic apples
    What’s truly ‘exotic’ here though, is apples. Yes, really! Apples, the fruits that are so normal to those of us who live in moderate climates, are imported into Asia and are therefore quite expensive, especially on this island (we’re in Koh Phangan in the Thai Gulf).

    So my appreciation for our super-healthy, crunchy, refreshing apple has skyrocketed. This smoothie recipe really does it justice: it’s simple yet delicious. I use green, mildly sour apples for this one, they’re probably Granny Smiths.

    Young, fresh coconuts… if available
    So there is a luxury here that not all of you get all the time: easy access to young, fresh coconuts. While i can, i like to use a coconut shake as the basis for most of my smoothies, including this one. If you can’t, please find some substitute ideas below the recipe.

    Recipe: Apple Lime Mint Smoothie (with young, fresh coconut)

    1 green apple
    1 young fresh coconut
    2 limes
    4-5 stalks of fresh mint
    raw organic honey
    handful of ice cubes

    First, chop the coconut, catch the fluid (coconut water or juice) and scrape the meat from the shell. Blend the coconut water and meat to make a coconut shake (really fresh coconut milk: the best!!).

    Then, cut the apple in small chunks and squeeze the limes. You can use both the stalks and leaves of the fresh mint. Only discard the sturdier bottom part of the stalk.

    Add the honey and icecubes. Go slow on the honey; you can always add more.

    Blend everything together until smooth. Taste to add more honey if desired. It’s nicest when the sweet and sour experience are about equal, if that makes sense.

    To substitute the coconut
    While we don’t get young, fresh coconut everywhere, in some places we can still get ‘older’ coconut (how to open one). You can use coconut water from this thing and still blend some of its meat, too, although it will be more fibrous. Add a few extra ice cubes.

    Many stores sell coconut water in glass or carton nowadays. Not the same, but still close. Probably the best substitute even, but… can be pricy.

    Add a small cup of coconut cream from a carton or can plus a few extra ice cubes. Very different taste from fresh coconut shake, but probably still nice. Although i think it may take away from the deliciously fresh and tangy apple taste. Let me know if you try this one!

    Finally, you can also just add ice cubes (or water). You want to use an extra lime and spoonful of honey in this case.

    That’s it for today, enjoy!

  • Fruit smoothie with coconut, mint & lime

    Fruit smoothie with coconut, mint & lime

    The market streets here on Koh Pha Ngan are full of colorful fruits, leafs, seeds and roots. One of the first things we bought after settling on the island was a blender, because although restaurants offer a wide range of juices or shakes, i was quite inspired to make my own.

    Juices, shakes & smoothies in Thailand
    Order a fruit juice in Thailand and you’ll get blended fruit or fruit juice with added water/ice and sugar, unless your vendor explicitly says the juice is pure. Shakes and smoothies: the same. It’s just the usual way to drink fruits here.

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    Vegan/raw/health food on Koh Pha Ngan

    There are plenty of health bars and yoga centers on the island that provide a full menu for vegans, raw foodies, health freaks and normal people who like to drink pure fruits with no additions.

    I noticed that some of the guys at such places are easily as smooth as the drinks… Beware what you’re taking in, sisters. Just sayin’ ;D.

    Back to the vegan food places: they’re a bit more expensive but honestly, the food is amazing.

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    [fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes”]However it is often possible to ask for no ice, no sugar and/or fresh coconut water instead of iced ‘normal’ water. This may cost you around 20 Baht extra (50 eurocents, roughly).

    Home is where the blender is
    Still, i dare say… the best smoothies (until now) are the ones i make at home, from fruits that i get at the open shops in Thong Sala. That’s probably because i just love to create my own food. Even if that only means tossing it in a blender ;).

    Tropical smoothie
    This morning we enjoyed a smoothie of mango and dragon fruit with coconut cream, mint and lime. Delicious, refreshing, full of life. Marco took a beautiful picture and i’ll share the recipe, so that you may share a bit in this tropical bliss.
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    Tropical? I know that for many of you it’s cold and rainy right now. But there’s a remedy! Try the combination of coconut and lime, close your eyes and you’ll be in sunny paradise for a little while, i promise. If there’s no mango where you are, try using bottled mango juice from a good brand or use local seasonal fruits like kiwifruit or pear:

    Recipe: Fruit smoothie with coconut, mint & lime

    • Local ripe fruits, preferably a bit starchy such as: mango, kiwifruit, papaya, banana, pear or
    • Juice of 1 or 2 limes
    • 1-2 handfuls of mint (stalks too except for the woody ends)
    • gulp of coconut cream (i love the white & blue Kara brand; it’s thick and full of flavor)

    Just blend everything up nicely, add some ice if you wish, garnish with mint and enjoy.

    And lastly… stay tuned because i’m planning on recreating the PERFECT holiday smoothie. If it’s cold where you are, this will get you all warm and cozy.[/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]