OUT: Smoothies, IN: Smoothie bowls

Gourmandize

Smoothies are no novelty. These blended beverages have actually been around since the 60's and originated in sunny California. But today, they're practically part of our everyday routine. The basic recipe includes blended fruit sometimes mixed with yogurt, milk or plant milk. It's meant to be drank cold with a straw and has a thick texture, similar to that of milkshakes. 

Not everyone is enthralled with these ubiquitous health drinks, however, because of how rich they can be.

But recently, the smoothie world has welcomed another rich newcomer, as can be seen by its rising stardom on social networks everywhere: the Smoothie Bowl. 

What is a smoothie bowl?

It's simply composed of a thick smoothie base, often made with bananas or avocado blended with red fruits and yogurt. The mixture is poured into a bowl, and then fresh fruits and crunchy toppings are added, including sunflower seeds, dried fruits, granola, etc.

It's eaten with nothing more than a spoon and serves as a great, energizing breakfast to start the day. The benefits are numerous: it's easy to prepare, pleasant to taste thanks to the varied textures, infinitely adaptable to seasonal fruits and even more filling than a regular smoothie.

It seems highly likely that smoothie bowls will remain in the spotlight for a while to come...

We tested it out for you just in case—and it gets our full stamp of approval! Recipe follows.

Banana raspberry smoothie bowl with pumpkin seeds and rolled oats

For 1 person

For the base

• 1 banana
• 1 handful of fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 1/4 cup soy milk or other plant milk 

For the toppings

• 1 handful of fresh raspberries
• 1 small handful of rolled oats
• 1 small handful of pumpkin seeds
• 1 teaspoon agave syrup or cane sugar syrup

Recipe

Start by roasting the pumpkin seeds and rolled oats—it's better for flavor and digestion.

In an oven-proof baking dish, combine the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds and syrup. 

Bake at 300 °F for about 10 minutes.

Remove to a plate and let cool.

In a blender, mix chopped banana pieces, raspberries, yogurt and milk, until it reaches a smooth consistency.

Pour into a bowl, top with fresh raspberries and the seed/oats mixture.

Enjoy.

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