Spring Fling: Berry Almond Smoothie Bowl

Start your day with a refreshing smoothie bowl filled with raspberries and almonds, and topped with blueberries, coconut, and more almonds.  The best way to start the day!

Berry Almond Smoothie Bowl

I've been obsessed with Acai and Smoothie (MGG calls them smoodie) bowls for about 6 months now.  I've always loved smoothies and have quite a few recipes on this blog, but there is something so naughty about putting it in a big bowl and adding all the toppings.  It's like a decadent treat that is so much tastier than oatmeal or cereal.   

This is a my Berry Almond Smoothie Bowl.  It's filled with my favorite berry, raspberries with an additional of some almonds for a protein burst and some cinnamon for a little warmth.  This is combined with a Greek yogurt, banana, and milk base to create the "bowl", then it's topped with sweet blueberries, coconut flakes, and a sprinkle of sliced almonds.  Heaven in a bowl!

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• frozen raspberries
• 1 large banana
• Greek yogurt
• 2% milk
• sliced almonds
• ground cinnamon
• vanilla extract
• fresh blueberries
• unsweetened coconut flakes

Substitutions and Variations

• Top with chocolate chunks.

• Change up the toppings: strawberries or blackberries are great, or add some sliced bananas.

• Granola would make a great topping.

• Leave the almonds out of the smoothie and the topping for a nut free dish.

• Use almond milk or soy milk if you prefer.

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Always use frozen raspberries to get the slushy thick smoothie.

• Frozen bananas will help, but are not necessary.

• If your smoothie comes out to thin you can add some ice cubes and blend that in to thicken it up, or add a little more yogurt.

• Make sure to use a powerful blender.

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Berry Almond Smoothie Bowl

serves 1

2/3 cup frozen raspberries

1/2 large banana
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup 2% milk
5 tablespoons sliced almonds, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes

Blend raspberries, banana, yogurt, milk, 3 tablespoons almonds, cinnamon, and vanilla in a blender until very smooth.

Pour the smoothie into a bowl and top with blueberries, the remaining 2 tablespoons almonds and coconut.

Lunch Ideas: Easy Mediterranean Turkey Pita Sandwiches

Deli turkey and slices of cucumber and red onion, sit on a bed of spinach that has been doused with a wonderful yogurt sauce.  This makes for one heck of a Mediterranean Turkey Pit Sandwich!

Easy Mediterranean Turkey Pita Sandwiches

One thing that came from the pandemic is working from home.  A whole new dynamic.  Last year they decided to give employees the option to continue working from home indefinitely.  In doing so I have found that I had to learn to make some really easy and quick lunches.  Because who wants to spend their lunch hour cooking?  Not me!  Since sandwiches are a stand-by I thought I would get creative with it while still keeping is quick and simple.

The use a Greek-style pita (the one without the pocket) is the base for this sandwich.  For a Mediterranean spin I chose ingredients such as deli sliced turkey, spinach, onion, and cucumber to keep it simple.  To jazz it up a bit I created a delicious yogurt dip that will be used in place of a sandwich spread of mustard or mayo.  Greek yogurt is mixed with lemon juice, minced garlic, and some chopped dill for a zesty flavor.  This ties all the ingredients together to make a tasty, quick and easy lunch.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• deli turkey slices
• cucumber
• spinach
• red onion
• Greek yogurt
• fresh lemon
• dill
• fresh garlic
• pita bread

Substitutions and Variations

• Use deli chicken, ham, or roast beef

• Substitute lettuce for the spinach or use arugula or alfalfa sprouts

• Make this on Naan, flatbread, or inside a pita pocket

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• I use Greek-style pita bread.  It doesn't have a pocket and is a bit softer and slightly thicker.  I find these hold up better when creating a wrap style sandwich.

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Easy Mediterranean Turkey Pita Sandwiches

serves 4

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 - 1/2 lb. deli-sliced turkey

1 English cucumber, sliced lengthwise
1 small red onion, cut into wedges
2 cups baby spinach

4 pitas

Make the yogurt sauce in a small bowl by adding yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and dill. Stir to combine.  Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.


To assemble sandwiches:  Top each pita evenly about 1/2 cup of baby spinach.  Drizzle or plop yogurt mixture over the spinach.  Add 3 slices of deli turkey and layer the cucumber and onion on top and season with salt & pepper.  Serve.  

Spring Fling: Strawberry Balsamic Ricotta Toast

Balsamic drizzled strawberries top creamy ricotta laced with lemon zest on a toasted slice of country bread.

Strawberry Balsamic Ricotta Toast

It's breakfast time and I want something different than the regular toast or avocado toast, or my daily yogurt parfait.  Strawberry Balsamic Ricotta Toast sounds all fancy but really is just simple as can be.  A toasted slice of country bread is topped with ricotta cheese that's been mixed with lemon zest.  Then we top it with sliced strawberries that have been coasted with a balsamic glaze.

Ricotta cheese is a healthier cheese option that is lower in fat and calories, and high in protein.  Strawberries, a superfruit, are a great source of Vitamin C and a perfect way to sneak more fruit in to your diet.  All combined together you have a wonderful breakfast, brunch, or snack "toast"!  Simple, easy, and tasty.

Enjoy!

What Ingredients do I need?

• fresh strawberries
• French or Italian bread
• ricotta cheese
• fresh lemon
• olive oil
• balsamic glaze (like this one)

Substitutions and Variations

• You can play around with the bread by using your favorite such as sourdough, rustic white, wheat, 7 grain, and ciabatta.

• Use different flavors with the ricotta such as honey.

• Use a mixture of ricotta and mascarpone whipped together.

• Ricotta will go with any berry (blueberry, raspberry, blackberry) or stone fruit (think peaches, nectarines and plums).

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Toast your bread any way you like (oven, toaster, or skillet)  I like placing olive oil on my bread and toasting it in a skillet for a golden crust, plus the olive oil goes well with the dish.

• Balsamic glaze is balsamic vinegar which has been reduced down in to a thick syrup and is sweet and delicious.  You can find it at Trader Joes' or your local grocery store.  I like this one.

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Strawberry Balsamic Ricotta Toast

serves 4


4 slices of French or Italian Bread
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 oz. ricotta cheese
zest of 1 lemon

1 cup hulled and diced strawberries

Balsamic glaze

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Brush one side of the sliced bread with olive oil.  Toast in the skillet until golden brown.

Mix the ricotta cheese with the zest of 1 lemon.  Spread ricotta on toasted bread.

In a small bowl add diced strawberries and drizzle some balsamic glaze.  Stir until well coated.

Spoon strawberries over the ricotta and serve.