Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie, Pina Colada Inspired

Smoothies are a great way to pack in a ton of nutrients in a quick, easy and delicious format. This one is inspired by the famous Pina Colada cocktail. The hardest part is preparing the pineapple. But once this is done, the ingredients can be roughly chopped and blended into a smooth pale liquid. Enjoy a creamy pineapple and coconut smoothie to get your daily intake, while reminiscing about the holiday season…

The sourness of the pineapple and lemon works perfectly with the creaminess of the

There’s nothing quite like a Pina Colada. And those flavours got us thinking about some of our favourite smoothie ingredients. Coconut milk is always a staple, while pineapple add a zesty, sour twist. Some recipe advantages:

• Easy to make, the hardest part is preparing the pineapple
• Reminiscent of an indulgent cocktail (but healthy)
• Pineapple boosts immunity, aids recovery and reduces inflammation

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE

Pineapples are low in calories but loaded with nutrients. This includes 131% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C and 76% of the RDI of manganese. These boost the immune system, aid growth, reduce inflammation and help to maintain a healthy metabolism. Others nutrients include, vitamin B6, copper, thiamin and folate.

The yellow fruit contains disease-fighting antioxidants, especially flavonoids and phenolic acids. These prevent cell damage, leading to aging and certain types of cancer. It also contains enzymes that aid digestion. Pineapple is believed to speed up recovery after injury or strenuous exercise. Linked to this, it reduces swelling, bruising and tissue damage. This is why you often see people drinking pineapple juice after surgery. Read more about the health benefits of pineapple here.

GET PREPPING & BLENDING

Start by preparing 1 medium pineapple. Cut off the stalk, remove the skin and cut into small to medium-sized chunks. Core (remove the centre) if the interior is too hard. It is also preferable to remove as many of the spiky bits as possible. To speed up the process, use pre-cut fruit. Portioning and freezing it is also a convenient way to make a quick, easy and frosty smoothie. Peel and chop 1-2 bananas. While fresh can be used, frozen banana adds a great texture. Add the fruit, a few sprigs of mint (optional), 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 cup (240ml) of coconut milk to the blender.

The hardest part of this recipe is preparing the pineapple. Cut off the stalk, peel and remove all the spiky bits to ensure a smooth smoothie…

Add a few teaspoons of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Blend the ingredients. If too liquid or not frosty enough, simply add a few blocks of ice and blend again. If too icy, add some more coconut milk or water. Give it a final blend and it’s ready to be served.

POUR, DECORATE & SERVE

Pour the pineapple and coconut smoothie into glasses. This recipe can make 2 large servings or 3 smaller ones. Now it’s time to decorate your glass or smoothie bowl. Place pieces of fresh pineapple on the rim or right on top of the mixture. Add a few sprigs of mint and give it a final dusting of desiccated coconut or toasted coconut flakes. You can now enjoy your pina colada-inspired smoothie, dreaming of the holiday season. Yummy!

Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie

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The Zest Kitchen

Category

Smoothies

Prep Time

15 minutes

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized pineapple
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1-2 bananas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
• 3-4 ice cubes
• mint leaves (optional, to taste)
• 
  
• For the Topping:
• Pineapple pieces
• Mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons desiccated coconut

Instructions

1. Peel and cut up the fruit into small-medium chunks. Ensure there are no spiky bits on the pineapple.
2. Place 1 medium-sized pineapple pieces, 1-2 bananas, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, mint leaves (optional) and 1 cup coconut milk into the blender and blitz.
3. Add honey or maple syrup to taste. You can also add water or ice depending on the desired consistency of the smoothie.
4. Once blitzed, transfer the smoothie mixture into glasses.
5. Finally, decorate the with pieces of pineapple, mint leaves and desiccated coconut.

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