Boiled Fruit Smoothies

Boiled fruit smoothies can be a great option for those who have difficulty digesting raw fruits. Cooking the fruits can make them easier on the digestive system while still providing essential nutrients. Here are some boiled fruit smoothie ideas:

1. Apple and Cinnamon Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   In a saucepan, combine apples, water, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then simmer until apples are tender.

2.   Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

3.   Blend the boiled apples and cooking liquid until smooth.

4.   Add yogurt and honey or maple syrup if using, and blend again until well combined.

5.   Serve warm or chilled.

2. Pear and Ginger Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup almond milk or preferred milk
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   In a saucepan, combine pears, ginger, and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until pears are tender.

2.   Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

3.   Blend the boiled pears and ginger with the cooking liquid until smooth.

4.   Add almond milk and sweetener if using, and blend until combined.

5.   Serve warm or chilled.

3. Peach and Vanilla Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   In a saucepan, combine peaches and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until peaches are soft.

2.   Let the mixture cool slightly.

3.   Blend the boiled peaches with the cooking liquid until smooth.

4.   Add vanilla extract, yogurt, and sweetener if using, and blend until well mixed.

5.   Serve warm or chilled.

4. Berry Medley Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), fresh or frozen
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   In a saucepan, combine berries, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then simmer until berries are soft.

2.   Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

3.   Blend the boiled berries with the cooking liquid until smooth.

4.   Add yogurt and sweetener if using, and blend until well combined.

5.   Serve warm or chilled.

5. Mango and Turmeric Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 cup coconut milk or preferred milk
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   In a saucepan, combine mangoes, water, and turmeric. Bring to a boil, then simmer until mangoes are tender.

2.   Let the mixture cool slightly.

3.   Blend the boiled mangoes and turmeric with the cooking liquid until smooth.

4.   Add coconut milk and sweetener if using, and blend until well mixed.

5.   Serve warm or chilled.

Here's a recipe for a guava boiled smoothie:

6. Guava and Lime Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe guavas, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 cup plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (optional)

Instructions:

1.   Prepare the Guavas:

o   Peel and chop the guavas. Removing the seeds can make the smoothie smoother, as guava seeds can be quite hard.

2.   Boil the Guavas:

o   In a saucepan, combine the chopped guavas and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the guavas are soft and tender.

3.   Cool the Mixture:

o   Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the guava mixture to cool slightly.

4.   Blend the Smoothie:

o   Transfer the boiled guavas and the cooking liquid to a blender. Add the lime juice and blend until smooth.

o   Add the yogurt and honey or agave syrup, if using. Blend again until well combined.

5.   Serve:

o   Pour the smoothie into glasses. You can serve it warm or chill it in the refrigerator for a refreshing cool drink.

Tips:

• Seed Removal: If you find the guava seeds to be too hard, you can strain the boiled guava mixture through a fine mesh sieve before blending to remove the seeds.
• Flavor Variation: For an added flavor twist, consider adding a small piece of ginger when boiling the guavas, or garnish the smoothie with fresh mint leaves.
• Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the smoothie by adding more water or yogurt, depending on your preference.

This guava and lime smoothie is not only delicious but also packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthy choice for those with sensitive digestive systems. Enjoy!

 

These boiled fruit smoothies are not only easy on the digestive system but also delicious and nutritious. You can experiment with different fruit combinations and adjust the sweetness to your preference.

 

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The Gut bRain Axis And Gut Micro-Biome

The gut-brain axis is a complex communication system between our gut and brain. It involves a bidirectional link where the gut and the brain communicate with each other through various pathways.

 

When we talk about the maintenance of the gut-brain axis, it means taking care of the connection between our gut and brain to keep it healthy and functioning properly. One important aspect of this maintenance is the role of gut bacteria.

 

Our gut is home to trillions of bacteria, often referred to as gut bacteria or gut microbiota. These bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our gut-brain axis. They help with digestion, nutrient absorption, and even produce certain vitamins.

 

The gut bacteria also communicate with our brain through different channels. They produce various substances, including neurotransmitters like serotonin, which is often called the "feel-good" chemical. Serotonin affects our mood and emotions, and a significant portion of it is actually produced in our gut. This shows how closely connected our gut and brain are.

 

To maintain a healthy gut-brain axis, it is important to support a diverse and balanced gut microbiota. This can be done through a few simple steps:

 

Eating a balanced diet: Consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps provide the necessary nutrients for both our gut bacteria and brain.

 

Probiotics and prebiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be found in certain foods like yogurt or taken as supplements. They can help replenish and support the diversity of gut bacteria. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are dietary fibers that serve as food for the good bacteria in our gut. Foods rich in prebiotics include garlic, onions, bananas, and oats.

 

Avoiding excessive use of antibiotics: Antibiotics are important for treating infections, but they can also disrupt the balance of gut bacteria. It's crucial to use antibiotics only when necessary and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

 

Managing stress: Stress can have a negative impact on our gut microbiota. Engaging in stress-reducing activities like exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones can help maintain a healthy gut-brain axis.

 

Remember, the gut-brain axis is a dynamic and intricate system, and the maintenance of gut bacteria is just one aspect of it. Taking care of our overall well-being, both physically and mentally, is essential for a healthy gut-brain connection.

For those interested in understanding it more scientifically ( Click here)

https://www.delhiconnections.club/2023/07/gut-brain-relation-explored.html

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The Season Of Mangoes Is Here

We bring to you 2 easy recipes from 'Aromas Of My Kitchen' by Anuradha Haldar Mukherjee, a home cook par excellence ...

1. Mango Mastani

This is a pure Maharashtrian delight, known for its vibrant colour, creamy texture and its amazing taste. This is usually made with Alphonso mangoes which is summer’s bounty in Maharashtra. People travel all the way to Pune to taste this drink. The name Mastani is coined to remember Peshwa Baji Rao’s beautiful second wife, Mastani.


Serves 4

Ingredients

1. 4 good quality ripe alphonso mangoes
2. 250 ml of saffron infused milk
3. 100 ml of fresh cream
4. 4 scoops of good quality mango ice cream
5. Sugar to taste
6. Finely chopped dry fruits and tutti frutti

Procedure

• Peel the mangoes, chop them into chunks and put in the blender.
• Add milk and cream and blend well to get a creamy texture.
• Add mango ice-cream and sugar( if required).
• Blend well.
• Keep it in the fridge to cool for at least an hour.
• To serve, take tall glasses and put two scoops of mango ice-cream in the glass.
• Pour the blended mango over it and decorate with cut dry fruits.
• This is a drink but is usually eaten with a spoon.

2.

Eggless Mango Mousse

This was a request for an Eggless Easter recipe by one of my readers.

This dessert has only two ingredients and can be made in a jiffy. 

Makes 12 shot glasses

Ingredients

200 ml of whipping cream

200 ml of pureed alphonso mangoes

1 tsp of lemon juice

Few mint leaves and mango slices for garnish.

Procedure

• Beat the whipping cream with an electric  hand blender till it forms soft peaks. Keep it the fridge.
• Puree the mangoes after removing the skin and seed.
• Combine the cream and mango puree and mix gently with a spatula.
• Add lemon juice and mix gently .
• Spoon out the mix into your serving glasses.
• Allow them to sit in the fridge for at least six hours.
• Take out just before serving and garnish with sliced mangoes and mint leaves.
• I love the light and fluffy texture of this mousse and that’s why I did not add gelatin.
• You can add 4 tsps of icing sugar to the mango puree if you like it sweeter. I did not add it though.

For more recipes please visit https://aromasofmykitchen.wordpress.com/ 

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