Moroccan Avocado Smoothie

In patisseries (cookie shops) all over Morocco there are plates stacked high with small cookies of dozens of shapes. There is also a menu offering smoothies, tea and coffee. The first time I went into a patisserie to have tea and cookies my husband ordered an avocado smoothie. A what? I don’t know if I had even eaten an avocado at that point in my life. They were those scary bumpy things next to the tomatoes in the grocery store. What do you do with an avocado anyway? No I couldn’t imagine what they would be doing in a smoothie.

It came out green and thick and a little frothy on top. He tucked right in and downed half the glass. I sat in a bit of shock. He just drank an avocado. “Do you want some?” No, I most certainly did not want any. I wasn’t even going to try it. From then on I began noticing the ubiquitous green drink in shop windows and tables. During Ramadan there are avocados a million in the streets, waiting to be blended into post-fasting drinks. I’ve come a long way since that first encounter and have made many of these smoothies, though I wouldn’t say their my favorite (I don’t like smoothies in general) but my husband LOVES them and so have many others who have given them a try. With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner it’s also a festive and healthy breakfast surprise too. The recipe itself couldn’t be easier.

Ingredients:

1/2 ripe Hass avocado
1 cup almond milk (I use vanilla flavor and omit other sweetener)
1 tsp sugar or other natural sweetener

Note – You can use any type of milk, and can add other fruits to this as well – apples and bananas are common. If you opt not to use almond milk – add almond extract or fine crushed almonds (this is how they do it in Morocco). The taste is meant to include almonds.

Directions

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Slide the avocado fruit from the skin and place into a blender. Add the milk and sugar and blend until there are no pieces of avocado remaining. It is very important that the avocado is ripe or else it won’t blend well. The consistency should be thick but smooth. You can add more milk if you prefer a thinner smoothie.

This month the Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) is celebrating love all month long. (Did you know that avocados are consider to be a way to increase libido in Morocco as well? The things you learn!) Stop over to their Facebook page to download a really good e-Cookbook loaded with avocado recipes. Right now avocados are in season so get them while they’re at their peak! While you are visiting make sure to enter your name into their giveaway for a $1,000 gift card! What could be better than getting a free cookbook and a shot at $1,000?

**I was compensated for this post however all opinions and recipes are my own. I love avocados and so do Moroccans so this was a naturally easy post to write!

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Comments

4 Comments

Liz - February 25, 2012

I LOVE THIS SMOOTHIE! Although I used to hate avocados too! My favorite recipe is 2 whole avocados, 1/2 cup almonds, dates, prunes, raisins soaked in water to bring back some moisture and then drained – all thrown together in a blender with honey or sugar and then milk poured on top and blended. I put as much milk as I want for the consistency desired. DELICIOUS and NUTRICIOUS!

marie - February 26, 2012

Looks like a good drink – I would have never think about this but I will try! I love avocado.
Thanks for sharing Amanda

L. - March 8, 2012

is this amount (half an avocado) for one people (smotthie) or two people (smoothie’s)?

- Amanda - March 8, 2012
  
  Just one smoothie – the size of the glass in the picture – between 8-10oz.