Food For Brains - Cardamom Nut Butter Chia Smoothie Recipe
Sometimes, it’s the aroma of something cooking or baking that makes us want to eat it, at other times it’s a beautiful image (we know this all too well!), but there are also times when the mere mention of something triggers a craving.
During a breakfast talk with David and Luise from Greek Kitchen Stories at 108 Marylebone, David mentioned his favourite nut butter smoothie (from their new book on Smoothies), an utterly decadent thickie with berries smashed at the bottom of the glass to create those gorgeous contrasting colours and layers – I’m not even sure he mentioned the flavour.That was it – the first thing I did when I reached home was create a nut butter smoothie. I sweetened it with just two dates, added ground cardamom and then decided to create a layer of chia seeds, which ended up mixing with the rest, as expected (perhaps if I’d let it set in the freezer I could have created beautiful layers) but it tasted absolutely delicious and what’s more, it is filled with energy giving properties and nourishment for the brain.
Recipe Serves 2 – small glasses
Ingredients
200ml, 1 full glass almond milk3 tablespoons almond butter2 dates1/4 teaspoon ground cardamomhandful, 8 ice cubes2 tablespoons chia seeds mixed with 1Ž4 glass waterhandful, 10 raspberries, garnishing, optionalfew mint leaves, for garnishing, optional
Method
Start by soaking the chia seeds in water in a small bowl, mix them and leave them to expand. Now pour the almond milk in a blender, add the almond butter, dates, cardamom and ice cubes and blend. Taste for sweetness and creaminess – add more almond butter or dates if you like. I didn’t make mine too thick – 3 tablespoons almond butter was just right. Alternatively, if too thick for your liking, add more almond milk. Now stir 2 tablespoons of the smoothie into the chia seed bowl and mix. Place the raspberries at the bottom of the glass, pour in the chia seed mixture and then pour the rest of the smoothie into the glass. Top with more raspberries, a mint leaf and serve.Enjoy!
Brain Energy Tips
Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and have been found to keep the arteries of the brain clear of plaque. They nourish the brain by helping communication between brain cells. Source: doctoroz.comDates are rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, A1 and C, proteins, dietary fiber, iron (11 percent), potassium (16 percent), calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. They are also cholesterol-free, very low in fat and a great source of energy boosters. The B6 vitamin in dates has been shown by JAMA Internal Medicine to improve brain performance and better test scores. Source: One Green PlanetAlmonds are rich in Vitamin E which helps reduce cognitive decline associated with aging. It is also rich in high in Riboflavin (B2), a vitamin responsible for improving brain and muscle metabolism. Guest post by Mira Manek, health food blogger and author.