While the jury may be out for some scientists and dieticians on the nutritional benefits of some superfoods, in recent decades they have become increasingly popular among health and wellbeing enthusiasts. We’ve selected some popular superfoods in the market – which are also available at Checkers, Clicks and Pick n Pay with your RCS Store Card – to add to your smoothies this summer. These include lemongrass for detoxing, goji berries as a great source of vitamin C, and spinach, which is filled with antioxidants. Here’s how to add them to your summer-perfect smoothies.

 

 

PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE

If you want to be transported to a tropical oasis, enjoying a healthy piña colada with lemongrass, you can with this recipe.

 

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: none

 

INGREDIENTS

¼  Stem lemongrass (available at Pick n Pay), crushed

10ml (2 tsp) Clicks Smartbite coconut oil

1 x 400g Tin coconut milk (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay), refrigerated

300g Whole pineapple (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay), peeled and roughly chopped

 

To serve:

½  Pineapple (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay), cut into wedges

40g Simple Truth salted caramel coconut chips (available at Checkers)

 

TO MAKE

Place the  lemongrass, coconut oil, coconut milk and pineapple chunks in the jug of a blender and pulse on high until completely smooth. If there are bits of lemongrass left, pass it through a strainer. To serve, divide the pineapple mixture between two glasses and top with pineapple wedges, coconut chunks, pineapple flowers and coconut shavings.

 

TIP: To make the pineapple blossoms, preheat the oven to 120ºC. Finely slice a pineapple, leaving the skin on, and place the slices in a muffin tin and leave in the oven with the door ajar for 30 minutes or until the edges have browned slightly. Remove them from the oven and leave to cool in the muffin tin.

 

 

ROASTED STRAWBERRY AND GOJI BERRY SMOOTHIE

Strawberries and cream get a healthier twist with this roasted strawberry and goji berry smoothie topped with whipped yoghurt.

Serves: 2

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

 

INGREDIENTS

500ml PnP full cream milk

15ml (1 tbsp) Clicks Smartbite honey, plus more to taste

10ml (2 tsp) Clicks Smartbite goji berries

30ml (2 tbsp) Clicks Smartbite almond butter

450g PnP strawberries, hulled and halved

 

Whipped yoghurt:

250ml (½ cup) Pick n Pay double cream plain yoghurt, chilled

60ml (¼ cup) Pick n Pay whipping cream, chilled

 

To serve:

100g Pick n Pay strawberries, sliced

10ml (2 tsp) Clicks Smartbite goji berries, crushed into powder

 

TO MAKE

Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Line a baking tray with baking paper and evenly spread half the strawberries out on it. Roast for 20-25 minutes. Remove the strawberries from the oven and set them aside to cool. To make the whipped yoghurt, combine the yoghurt and cream in a bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Place the milk, honey, goji berries, almond butter, roasted strawberries and fresh strawberries in a blender and pulse until smooth.

 

To serve; place the strawberry slices against the inside of the glass and divide the smoothie mix between two glasses. Top with the whipped yoghurt and goji powder.

 

TIP: To meal prep, pour the smoothies into separate ziplock bags and freeze, then break into pieces and re-blend when needed for a super-quick snack.

 

 

MINT CHOC-CHIP SMOOTHIE

Love your chocolate without the guilt? This mint and choc-chip smoothie with dark chocolate, spinach, avocado and moringa powder ticks all the right boxes.

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: none

 

INGREDIENTS

750ml Simple Truth almond milk (available at Checkers)

30g (12 cups) Baby spinach, washed (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay)

10ml (2 tsp) Moringa powder (available at Pick n Pay)

1 Small avocado, skin removed, pitted (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay)

60ml (¼ cup) Clicks Smartbite honey

10g (½ cup) Fresh mint leaves (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay)

 

To serve:

100g 70% Clicks Smartbite No Added Sugar Dark Chocolate, roughly chopped

15ml (1 tbsp) Cocoa powder, for dusting (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay)

Mint leaves, to garnish (available at Checkers and Pick n Pay).

 

TO MAKE

Place all the ingredients into the jug of a blender and pulse until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Stir the chocolate chips into the mix and divide the mixture between two glasses. Top with dark chocolate, a dusting of cocoa powder and 3 mint leaves. Serve immediately.

 

 

MAKE IT A HEALTHY SMOOTHIE SUMMER

With these recipes, you can enjoy a variety of fruit and some superfoods this summer. Simply hop over to Checkers, Clicks and Pick n Pay to purchase the ingredients you need using your RCS Store Card and get up to 55 days interest free. If you don’t have one, don’t delay; apply for your RCS Store Card today.