Blend up this hydrating green glass with cool lime juice, sweet pineapple and banana, and a healthy dose of kale.
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Refreshing Coconut Water Smoothie
Description
Blend up this hydrating green glass with cool lime juice, sweet pineapple and banana, and a healthy dose of kale.
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut water
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Flesh of 1/2 ripe avocado (diced)
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 1 frozen banana (sliced)
- 1 cup tightly packed (finely chopped lacinato kale pieces (not including stems))
Instructions
- In a Regular Blender: Place the coconut water, lime juice, avocado, and pineapple into the blender. Starting on a medium-low setting and increasing the speed as you go, blend until smooth. Depending on your blender, you may need to stop occasionally and press the ingredients toward the blades, then resume blending. Add the frozen banana slices and kale and continue to blend until perfectly smooth and creamy. Divide between two tall glasses and serve immediately.
- In a High-speed Blender: Just toss it all in there!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my coconut water smoothie taste bitter?
The kale is almost always the culprit. Lacinato kale (also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale) is milder than curly kale, which is why this smoothie specifies it. Remove the tough stems entirely and use only the leaf. Blend the coconut water, lime juice, avocado, and pineapple smooth first, then add the frozen banana and kale and blend again. If bitterness persists, add a bit more pineapple. The banana and pineapple sweetness should fully mask any green bitterness when the ratios are right.
Can I make this smoothie without a high-speed blender?
Yes, with a bit of technique. Use a regular blender and add the coconut water, lime juice, avocado, and pineapple first. Start on medium-low speed and increase gradually. Stop and push the ingredients toward the blades as needed. Add the frozen banana and finely chopped lacinato kale last. Chopping the kale small before blending matters here: the smaller the pieces, the less work the blades have to do and the smoother the result. Blend longer than you think you need to.
What can I use instead of avocado in this smoothie?
The avocado gives the smoothie its creamy body without adding a strong flavor. If you skip it, the smoothie will be thinner and less filling. A good substitute is half a frozen banana in addition to the one already in the recipe. For a closer texture match, use 2 tablespoons of cashew butter or a few tablespoons of full-fat coconut milk from a can. Both add creaminess. The coconut milk option keeps the coconut flavor profile that the coconut water already establishes.
