smoothies for dinner

 

This week I had to have a minor dental procedure... well at the time I didn't think getting a tooth yanked out was "minor" but in retrospect, I was being overly dramatic. In my nervous preparation for the day, I went to the grocery store and grabbed random items to make myself some interesting smoothies. They had to be interesting because if I can't chew, a glorified glass of juice is not gonna sat-sis-fy. These 2 smoothies were passable as real meals. I admit to wanting nachos a few hours after one of them, but that was not so much hunger as it was an apparent inner-masochist thinking it would be funny to introduce my freshly violated gums to sharp corn chip shards. 

 

The first is a vanilla date smoothie. I should preface right now that I am one of those weirdos that actually LIKES the taste of soy milk... no, it is not a good substitute for milk if you like milk. It's soy milk, and I like it for what it is... sweet earthiness. But if you don't like it feel free to sub real milk or almond milk and some vanilla extract for the vanilla soy milk this recipe calls for. You'll want to make this smoothie... dates are one of natures original candies. Sweet, caramelly, chewy fruits from the dessert. In this smoothie, which tastes more like a shake, the dates give forth a crude honey sweetness that is quite gratifying.

Vanilla Date Smoothie

-6 or 7 Medjool dates, torn in half, pits removed

-1 1/2 cups vanilla soy milk

-1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

-1 teaspoon flax meal (optional)

-1 teaspoon honey (optional)

-2 cups ice

Combine all the ingredients except the ice in a blender and puree. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

Noodles likes it, too.

The next smoothie is honeydew, cucumber & cilantro. In case you haven't figured it out by now, this is indeed summer in a glass. The creamy yogurt and a dash of salt gives it some validity as a dinner. Subtly sweet from the melon and cucumber and vivid from the cilantro, this is like drinking Pantone 375C.

Cucumber Melon Cilantro Smoothie

-1/4 honeydew melon, rind and seeds removed, cut into chunks

-3 inches of cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped

-small handful of fresh cilantro leaves

-1/2 cup yogurt

-pinch of salt (optional)

-2 cups ice

Combine all the ingredients except the ice in a blender and puree. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

So, you guys... I'm hooked on smoothies now. What is your favorite?