Recipes: Black Forest Berry Booster (Dairy-Free Yogurt Smoothie)

Thick, delicious and a perfect start to the day, this berry fruit soya yogurt smoothie, using frozen fruits, is a fabulous way to start the day. And one of the few vegan smoothies I make without using bananas! The non-dairy soya yogurt, of course, ensures it has some filling power, which is the reason I often use bananas.

I ALWAYS have a supply of frozen berries and summer fruits in my freezer, so I can enjoy smoothies like this year-round. Whether you pick and freeze them yourself, or buy them ready-frozen, they are such a versatile fruit that it is really worth keeping them in stock. And they are super-healthy, and I think this is the case for frozen berries just as much as fresh.

But in this smoothie, using the frozen fruit is a way of making it like a frozen yogurt drink. So, it's definitely the frozen version of berries this recipe requires. I do allow them to defrost a little before blending, so my poor blender doesn't collapse with all the work it needs to do, and also because it makes for a smoother experience all together then :)

When I'm making smoothies, I consider them as a nutrition boost as well as something tasty, so I include vitamin and calcium fortified non-dairy milks/yogurts. And also foods like linseeds and ground almonds to help me meet my nutritional daily requirements, even though they won't necessarily affect the flavour.

Ground linseed (flaxseed, as US readers will know it by) is a good source of the essential fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), although it must be ground to benefit from this. Almonds are great for calcium and protein, and the essential amino acid lysine.

It goes without saying that berries are a fabulous source of many nutrients, and with a touch of chilli powder for a kick, and some chocolate powder or cocoa for yum-factor - all in all, this smoothie is  real winner for me.

Black Forest Booster Yogurt Smoothie
Serves 1

1 cup frozen black forest fruits – defrosted approx 45 minutes

¾ cup fortified soya yogurt

¼ cup fortified non-dairy milk

2 tablespoon ground flaxseed / linseed

1 tablespoon ground almonds

1 tablespoon cocoa powder or Spanish chocolate powder

Pinch of hot chilli powder

1. If your linseed / flaxseed is not already ground, grind in the blender first until powdery. Then add all the other ingredients, and blend until smooth! Serve in a glass with a berry for garnish.

 

Comments

[Mark]

Made it! Loved it! I substituted peanut oil for coconut oil but just added in some unsweetened coconut flakes. It was great. Simple, simple!