Blueberry-Cardamom Smoothie
Cardamom is one of my favorite flavors. It has never ceased to amaze me with its unique flavor and variety of dishes it can be found in. From sweet to savory, cardamom is basically a “spice of all meals”. ​The first time I recall encountering cardamom as a primary flavor in a food was at a vegan ice-cream shop where I tasted a sample of coconut-cardamom ice-cream. I immediately made a trip to Wegmans to get myself some of this lovely spice. I have yet to recreate that delicacy, but I have since done quite a bit of experimenting with cardamom. Besides adding a new level of spice to soups, roasted veggies, and baked goods, cardamom is also an incredible flavor paired with blueberries-which are a favorite berry of mine all year-round. And now a note on the infamous cauliflower that seems to make an appearance regularly in my smoothies… Buying frozen veggies in general is pretty awesome. It is often cheeper than buying raw at a grocery store and works great in dishes like stir-frys, soups, and smoothies. But is the quality the same? you may ask…It’s actually a misconception that frozen vegetables have less vitamins and minerals than fresh vegetables. In fact, vitamins are well retained in frozen vegetables because of relatively new technology called flash freezing. The length of time between the farm to your plate is a large factor in the nutrient content of fresh vegetables. They are also often shipped long distances-sometimes in extreme temperatures, which further alters the vitamins and minerals. In contrast, frozen vegetables, are flash-frozen immediately upon harvesting, when their nutrient content is at its highest. This smoothie is creamy, naturally sweet and well spiced. It is loaded with protein, vitamins, and potassium. This drink is a delicious and filling breakfast to start the day with. Give it a try and let me know what you think.