Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl

Published on May 31, 2020

Updated May 17, 2022

This is a delicious smoothie b with season's fresh and juicy cherries and almonds. Greek yogurt can be replaced with vegan yogurt to make a vegan version of this smoothie bowl.

I like cherries and almonds together. I make cherry almond pie during this season. It is my favorite! This smoothie will remind of the flavors of my pie with no sweeteners. The sweetness comes from the fruits alone in this smoothie bowl. It's all the more nutritious and healthy way to start your morning.

Memorial Day weekend always means cherry-picking for us. Going to the farm (well, finding a spot to park your car can be challenging sometimes, as the entire bay area will be on the farms picking cherries), and enjoying the time between the tree to tree  is always fun. Nature has solutions to relax everyone. The fun always doubles when you go as a gang with friends and families. The next challenge walking into the farm is finding "the tree" which is untouched and loaded with cherries  (everywhere you can see people picking the ripe red ruby spheres). Kids get excited picking them (also popping a couple into their mouth) and filling the buckets. You can hear, "Hey, there's lots on this side or this tree is abundant with cherries". It is the same exciting event for me for any U-pick trips. Though I have my own backyard gardening, I enjoy going out to pick in farms too!

So after a trip to cherry farms, I line up my favorite recipes and have fun, of course my schedule becomes crazy when you try new recipes too! But that's part of the fun exploring new things, making memories and foremost of all having fun!

  Vegan Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Iced Cherry Green Tea Latte

Fresh Cherry and Nectarine Crisp

Double Chocolate Cheery Almond Oatmeal cookies

If you are like me, you'll never say no to smoothie bowls. I prefer smoothie bowls for breakfast during summer months while a steaming bowl of Masala Oats or Apple Cinnamon Steel-cut Oats or Ginger Bread Oats would be my choice during colder weather.

Here are a few smoothie bowls that you'll also love the most!

Springtime green Smoothie Bowl

Chocolate Banana Smoothie Bowl

Tropical Smoothie Bowl

Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Mango Lassi Bowl

I am also linking this to Blogging Marathon,  Wonderful Wednesday, Sundays on Silverado, What's For Dinner, and Share The Wealth.

Ingredients
Serves 4

Cherry - 1.5 cups, pitted and sliced
Banana- 1, sliced, frozen
Almonds - 40, soaked overnight
Rolled oats - 1/2 cup
Plant based protein powder - 1 scoop
Flaxseed powder - 2 tbsp,
Apple - 1, chopped
Greek yogurt- 1/2 cup

Toppings

Cherries, sliced banana, almonds, granola, etc.



Method

Add everything to your blender and blend till smooth and creamy.

Enjoy your bowl with your preferred topping.

Tips

Coconut milk can be used in place of yogurt.

Springtime Green Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie bowls are a great idea for a morning meal when you crave for all the fruity flavors.  There are a lot of advantages to having a smoothie bowl. It is healthy, fruity, nutritious, creamy, and satisfying. It is quick. All you need is 5 minutes to make a bowl of creamy goodness to start your day. Bananas and apples extend a natural sweetness to the whole meal without the addition of too much sugar or simple syrup. Nuts give vitamins and proteins, fruits are sweet, rich in vitamins and fiber, paired with a protein source makes it a whole complete nourishment in a simple bowl. Now, who would refuse to have a creamy refreshing bowl looking at the easiness of making it? I decided to use avocado and some greens too.  There are two reasons for adding the greens in this smoothie bowl. My friend Mrs. SS shared her homegrown spinach (she is nice to share her spring harvest:-)) The other reason is, the microgreens are from my trials of growing them. So, all the pluses for adding them. The smoothie bowl has a green color, perfectly matching with everything green around for springtime. And hence, named it springtime green smoothie bowl. It tasted good too. No doubt. One of the picky eaters in our home gave a thumbs-up sign. So, Yeah! smoothies and smoothie bowls are the way when you want to sneak in a couple of veggies to your picky eaters.

Ingredients

Serves 4

Spinach - 4-6

Microgreens - 1 tbsp

Avocado - 1

Banana -1, frozen

Honey - 1 tsp

Coconut water- 1, chilled

Oats - 1/2 cup, toasted, rolled oats

Almonds - 35-40, soaked overnight

Protein powder - 3/4 scoop

Flaxseed powder -1 tbsp

Green apple - 1

Topping

sliced strawberry, kiwi, granola, blueberry

Method

Wash and chop all the fruits and greens. Add them to the blender along with frozen banana and the rest of the ingredients. Blend for a few minutes till it turns to a smooth consistency.

Pour to bowls, top, and enjoy your morning meal.

Tips

Coconut flakes, chia seeds or anything you like can be used as a topping

Kale and Navy Beans Curry

Have you ever wondered how easy some of the recipes become a keeper - becomes a comforting meal? Well, this kale and beans curry is one among those. It is very delicious and nutritious. This is easy to prepare for dinner or lunch, it is vegan, and this can feed a crowd! Did I tell you that this is a budget friendly recipe?

This amazing curry can be served as a soup/stew too. A slice of crusty bread with this curry will make you say yum! The proteins from the beans, and the nutrition from the green leafy kale, make it a complete side to serve along with rice or bread. It is made with simple ingredients which make it perfect for any meal. Try and let me know your comments. I know you'll agree with me.

This delicious curry will be a handy one whether you feed your family or a crowd. With the skyrocketing prices, and shortage of some food types, it is a great idea to start growing some veggies to supplement the needs. Nowadays, for the same money, only one-third of the produce/groceries fit in. It is a great idea to make recipes that fit your budget and at the same time provide more satisfying and nutritious meals to your family. This curry is one such great side dish that you can feed a number of people along with rice or flatbreads.

A bunch of kale or spinach costs around $1.25 to $1.99. A pound of dry beans cost around $1.20, out of which you'll use a cup to make this curry. Canned beans, if used, might add a little to the cost. The rest of the ingredients would cost around $4 max. The cost may slightly vary depending on the region. This curry with the following measurements, as a single side, can easily feed 6-8 people. At about $8, this curry provides a nourishing meal. Now, I call this a winner! If you are looking for some delicious budget recipes, here are a few:

Easy Chocolate Crescent Rolls

Veggie Lentil Soup

Bottlegourd/Opo & Cilantro Chutney

 This curry tastes great with the rice and curry. Raita or yogurt  (regular/vegan) when served with this makes it a complete meal. I love raita with anything:-) One other thing about this curry is that it can be easily doubled or tripled. This makes it a winner to make it for get togethers, a delicious curry to enjoy with friends and family, that saves money too.

Here are some tips that help you modify/make this delicious curry.

• Cinnamon (1 in piece) and a star anise can be added to the seasoning and it adds a lot of flavor to the curry.

• Canned beans can also be used.

• The beans can be cooked on the stove top too. It may take a longer time.

• Any other bean can also be substituted.

• Curry powder can be used in the place of sambhar powder.

• Adjust the spiciness according to your chilli or cayenne powder.

• Any greens can be used.

• Frozen greens can also be used.

Ingredients

Navy Beans - 1 cup
Onion - 1 cup, chopped
Kale - 3 cups, chopped
Sambhar / curry powder - 1 tsp
Garam masala - 1 tsp
Turmeric- 1/4 tsp
Salt 1 1/2 tsp
Chilli powder- 1/4 tsp
Tomato - 2 or 3 tomatoes depending on size (puree to get 1 cup)
Coconut milk - 1/2 cup
Water - 3 to 4 cups

To Season

Oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Serrano chilli - 1, slit and cut in half
Ginger - 1 tsp, minced
Garlic - 1 tsp, minced

Method

Soak the navy beans overnight. Drain, wash and cook for 2 whistles in a pressure cooker with three cups water.

Heat oil in a pan, add the seasonings. Then add onions and sauté till they are translucent. Add kale and sauté for 3 min more.

Add 1 cup  tomato puree and cook for a couple of minutes. Add all the spice powders and salt. Mix and cook for 3-5 min.

Add the beans with water. Cook for 5 min.

Add 1/2 cup coconut milk and 1/2 cup water. Adjust consistency and check for salt.

 Simmer for 3 min.

Serve hot with rice or flatbreads.

Published May 2020

Modified on May 2022 for user benefit and reader enhancement.

Spinach and Red Pepper Grilled Cheese

Mrs. A's organic spinach was used to make this scrumptious and satisfying grilled cheese. These delicious grilled cheese sandwiches are so easy to prepare. It also provides avenues for adding some fresh veggies into it and thereby making it even more interesting and nutritious. There is a load of nutrition when you cooking with fresh veggies, and why to say no it when it is possible. I found a red bell pepper and some cheddar cheese in my refrigerator, which I paired up with her spinach to make this wonderful cheesilicious meal. Thanks again to Mrs. A for sharing us some fresh spinach. This can be made in a jiffy. After a long day, simple and tasty grilled cheese with veggies can bring smile in everyone's face. It's a comfort meal that can be made under 30 minutes for the whole family.

Ingredients

Makes 4 Sandwiches

Cheddar cheese - 12 slices
Onion -a few julienne slices
Red pepper strips
Chilli flakes (optional)
Butter
Spinach leaves - a few
Sourdough bread - 8 slices

Method

Heat a cast-iron pan on a medium flame. Butter one side of each bread slice. Place one of the buttered side on the pan. Cut one slice of cheddar cheese into two and place it on it. Layer with spinach, red pepper, and onion. Divide two slices of cheddar cheese on top and sprinkle with chilli flakes.

Top with another bread slice with the buttered side facing up. Once it is cooked, flip and continue to cook for a couple of minutes till it browns and crisps. You can see the cheese melting.

Enjoy your cheesilicious spinach and red pepper grilled cheese.