Cacao Hemp Smoothie Bowl

Recipe 5 minPreparation Time 0 minCooking Time

Cacao Hemp Smoothie Bowl

5 minPreparation Time 0 min Cooking Time

About this Recipe

Chocolate for me is everything — but I could never understand the appeal of dark chocolate until I realized what went into most commercial chocolate. Now, raw cacao is my favourite superfood. With its chocolatey flavor and creamy texture, this is a great “breakthrough” recipe for people who are reluctant to try smoothies or raw foods. Greens in smoothies can be an acquired taste. I like amaranth, but you can start with baby spinach, mint, and milder greens.

The Benefits

Raw cacao has super-high antioxidant levels — much more than blueberries. It has more calcium than milk and is the highest plant-based source of iron. It is also one of the highest sources of magnesium. Leafy greens, hemp and other seeds add even more fiber and healthy fats. This is a great smoothie for taking the edge off PMS symptoms.

Ingredients

Serves 1

For the Smoothie

  • 2 small ripe yelakki banana or 1 medium ripe banana
  • 1 medium chikoo (sapodilla) or 2 dates, seeds removed
  • ½ inch ginger, peeled
  • 1 tsp hemp seeds
  • ½ tsp chia seeds
  • ½ tsp flaxseed
  • ½ tsp pumpkin seeds
  • ½ tsp melon seeds
  • ½ cup amaranth or other greens, washed
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp raw cacao powder
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • 1-2 drops orange essential oil
  • Water
  • Ice as required

For the Topping

  • 1 tsp chia seeds, soaked and bloomed
  • 1 tsp raisins, soaked for six hours
  • 3 to 4 peeled orange segments
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • Cacao nibs

Directions

  1. Step 1
    Blend the chopped bananas, chikoo, and ginger with the leafy greens , turmeric powder, cacao powder, almond milk, all the seeds, and essential oil. If you didn’t freeze your fruit, or if your blender runs hot, add a couple of ice cubes while blending. Add a splash of water or more almond milk if required to get a smooth consistency.
  2. Step 2
    Pour the smoothie into a bowl or a glass. Garnish with the remaining ingredients.

Substitutions: Use your preferred plant milk.

Level Up: Make your own seed mix with ¼ cup each hemp seeds, flaxseed, pumpkin seed, melon seeds or other seeds of choice. Refrigerate in an air-tight container.