How to Make a Vegan Pina Vocado
Add good fats and extra vitamins to your next smoothie by adding some ripe avocado. It may sound a little odd, but the creamy blend of rich ripe avocado and natural juices will make your palate sing. This recipe provides approximately one serving––double the ingredients for two.
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large avocado (vine-ripe) (Haas blend best)
- 1 small banana
- 4-6 medium oranges for making fresh orange juice
- 1 1/4 cups frozen fruit, pineapple or berries
- 1/2 lime
- Coconut water
- Garnish
- Coconut milk
- Coconut flakes
- A dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
Method 1 of 4: Making Coconut Ice Cubes
These need to be made ahead of time. Store extra cubes inside an airtight bag to prevent odor contamination.
1. Make coconut water ice cubes. Rather than adding regular ice (which may dilute the flavor of your smoothie), create ice cubes created from coconut water. Pour coconut water into regular ice cube trays and freeze for up to 24 hours. Add ½ cup of these coconut ice cubes to the blender.
Method 2 of 4: Preparing the Avocado
1. Peel and dice the avocado. You only need ½ an avocado for this smoothie, so cut it in half, allowing the knife to run along the large pit.
2. Twist and separate the avocado and place one half in a plastic bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator to stop the oxidation process (which turns the fruit brown). Remove the pit and discard.
3. Hold the other avocado half in the palm of your hand and run the knife down middle of the fruit lengthwise. Depending on the size of the avocado, make four to six long slits down the middle, stopping the cut when the knife hits the tough peel.
4. Run the knife down the other side of the avocado, sideways. You will essentially be creating small squares.
5. Peel the avocado peel outward and back to expose the inside slices. Gently allow the slices to fall off the peel. If the avocado does not drop out of the peel on its own, gently run your knife underneath the fruit and between the peel to dislodge it. Add to the blender.
Method 3 of 4: Preparing the Fruit
1. Peel and dice 1 small banana and add it to the blender.
2. Make fresh orange juice. Juice enough oranges to make 1 1/3 cups of freshly squeeze orange juice (roughly 4 to 6 medium sized oranges). Pour into the blender.
3. Measure 1 ¼ cups of frozen fruit. Use fruit such as pineapple, blackberries, strawberries or even mixed berries. Add to the blender.
Method 4 of 4: Making the Smoothie
1. Combine all of the above prepared ingredients in the blender. Blend at high speed. Avoid over-blending as you may break down some of the ingredients and flavor.
2. Pour the drink into a tall glass. Top with a variety of ingredients such as ½ a lime squeezed over the top immediately before serving, 1 tablespoon of coconut milk drizzled over the top, or 2 teaspoons of unsweetened coconut flakes. For added kick, try a dash of cayenne pepper.
Tips
- Serve in frosted glasses you keep in the freezer.
- Opt for using a ripe avocado––an unripened fruit may not blend as well.
- Double or triple the recipe to serve more people (this recipe serves two).
- If you really want to kick up your health benefits, head right to the organic aisle and try to gather as many organic ingredients for your smoothie as possible.
Things You'll Need
- Blender
- Knife and cutting board
- Plastic bag
- Tall glass for serving
