Juices and smoothies are all the rage. It seems that there are juice and smoothie bars on every corner in Chicago—along with the coffee shops. My contributions to the juice craze are in a league of their own. The flavor is incomparable, and, of course, I give a nod to the addition of spices that enhance the taste profile and make the juices and smoothies unique. Try these recipes, and you will not be tempted to buy overly sweet juices and smoothies again!
Serves: 2
Serving size: 1½ cup
Calories per serving: 244
This ultra-rich smoothie is a delightful treat—like dessert in a glass. Pumpkin spice is a major flavor of the comfort food category. If pumpkin does not get you excited, you could substitute butternut squash or sweet potato for that ingredient. When you select nondairy milk substitutes, remember to purchase unsweetened varieties. Calorie-wise, it makes a huge difference. Milk made from nuts—almond milk, for example—is naturally sweet.
Seeing an avocado in the ingredients list of a beverage might surprise you. Avocados take on the flavor of other ingredients and make everything creamy and rich. I have substituted dried dates for processed sugar in this recipe. If you didn’t know about the substitution, you wouldn’t taste the difference.
½ cup pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
½ avocado, pitted and peeled
4 Medjool dates, pitted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chai spice tea
5 ice cubes
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.