Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
278 | 2g | 1g | 70g |
sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
47g | 6g | 5g | 0.05g |
It’s not every day you’ll find a blend that fuses the exotic allure of the East with a nod to the robust character of the South. That’s exactly why I absolutely adore this Pandan Flower Smoothie recipe. Wrapped in layers of sweet, tropical delight, it’s a love letter to my Afro-Southern roots, touched with the vibrant essence of pandan leaves.
A Taste of the Tropics
Coming from a Nigerian background, I’ve always appreciated the bold, invigorating flavours offered by West African cuisine. But blending it with the comforting familiarity of southern tastes opens a delightful new avenue to explore. Our Pandan Flower Smoothie, remarkably refreshing, takes these two vastly different cuisines into its stride with the simplest of ease. If you’re a fan of other exotic smoothies like the popular Tropical Smoothie or the luscious Sunshine Smoothie, you’ll find this an absolute treat.
The Benefits of Pandan
But what’s a taste fiesta without a health boost? The Pandan Flower Smoothie, apart from being an irresistible delight, is laden with good-for-you ingredients. Pandan leaves, the hero of this recipe, is a staple across various Asian cuisines. It’s not just for its distinctive aroma and taste – pandan brings a host of health benefits. Be it aiding digestion, relieving pain, or helping bolster your immune system, these leaves do it all.
Now, let’s talk about the Greek yogurt. Adding a creamy texture to your smoothie, it’s also a fantastic inclusion for your digestive tract. Packed with probiotics, Greek yogurt is a boon for gut health. And not to forget the sweet touch of honey. A natural sweetener, honey aids in combating allergies.
So, whether you’re a seasoned smoothie maker, or just venturing into this world of blended goodness, give this Pandan Flower Smoothie a try. It works well as a breakfast grab-and-go, the perfect chiller for a brunch soireé, or even a refreshing dessert. It pairs nicely with light, summer dishes such as a Tropical Chicken and Quinoa Salad. Or, if you’re in the mood for a cookout, try whipping up this smoothie post a hearty barbecue; it’s sure to be a hit.
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of fresh pandan leaves
- 3 cups of water
- 6 ripe bananas
- 1.5 cups of frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries etc.)
- 1.5 cups of Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon of honey
- 1.5 cups of crushed ice cubes
Method
Step One
Begin by thoroughly washing the pandan leaves under cold running water to remove any dirt. After that, cut them into smaller pieces.
Step Two
Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot. Once the water is boiling, add the cut pandan leaves. Let them simmer for about 15 minutes until the water takes on a green hue. After it’s done, strain the mixture and let the pandan-infused water cool down.
Step Three
Peel the ripe bananas and slice them into chunks. Place them into your blender.
Step Four
After, add your choice of frozen berries to the blender along with the sliced bananas.
Step Five
Next, add the pandan-infused water to the blender along with the Greek yogurt. Then, drizzle in 2 tbsp of honey for sweetness.
Step Six
Finally, add the crushed ice cubes to the blender. Now blend everything together until smooth and creamy. Depending on your blender, this may take between 1 to 2 minutes.
Step Seven
Once your pandan flower smoothie is sufficiently blended, pour into glasses and serve immediately. Enjoy this refreshing, healthy treat!