I hope this Cherry Mandarin Smoothie Bowl feels honored because it’s somehow the first ever smoothie bowl recipe to be posted on my blog.
If I could go back and tell 2019 Marybeth some things, one of those things would be that she should put smoothie bowl recipes on her blog and social media *before* launching an entire ebook about them, so that it seems like less of a random launch and more of an extension of her expertise.
Hindsight really is 20/20, but here we are nearing the approach of version 2.0 of the smoothie bowl book with compassion for the past versions of ourselves that do the best they can. TLDR; you can expect more smoothie bowl recipes just in time for summer – starting with this Cherry Mandarin Smoothie Bowl.
This is based on a smoothie that I make frequently, with a kick of citrus to brighten it up and balance the flavors. Some folks prefer more of a smoothie on the go. Feel free to stick this in your vessel of choice, skip the toppings, and add a straw if that’s you.
If you’re going with toppings, my favorites are homemade granola (like this Apricot Cherry Grain Free Granola or Hazelnut Cardamom Cranberry Granola), nuts and seeds, cacao nibs, and yogurt.
During last week’s newsletter titled “How to make smoothies that don’t suck” I shared some of my best tips in more detail. If that kind of info appeals to you, I’d love to have you join the newsletter community.
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Cherry Mandarin Smoothie Bowl
- Yield: 1 1x
Description
This cherry citrus smoothie bowl is the perfect standalone smoothie or vessel for your favorite toppings like homemade granola, fruit, and yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 handful baby spinach (frozen or fresh)
- 1 tbsp raw almond butter
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (add more as needed)
- 1 tsp Elderberry Syrup or Tincture
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1/2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen cherries
- 1/2 cup frozen mandarins (i.e., tangerines, clementines, tangelos)
Instructions
- layer ingredients into the blender starting with the softest and most blendable ingredients first (closest to the blade
- blend well, stopping to stir, tamp, or shake along the way. Add more liquid if needed.
- top with granola, yogurt, berries, or nothing at all. Enjoy!
Notes
- You’ll notice that most of my smoothie recipes don’t include added protein powders and supplements. That’s because I believe smoothies can be consumed just because they’re tasty, not only to replace a meal or achieve a goal. Between the almond butter, greens, and seeds included here, you’re getting a balanced intake of carbs, fat, and protein as it is.
- If you really want more protein, my current recommendation is Four Sigmatic’s unflavored protein powder. I love that it doesn’t include fillers or artificial sweeteners like Monkfruit or Stevia, and also includes functional mushrooms and adaptogens.
- For any smoothie bowl, a high-speed blender is essential to achieving a thick end result. I love my Vitamix, but I often use my old trusty Ninja when I’m just making something for myself. Don’t be afraid to stop and tamp, stir, or shake.
- For smoothie bowls that don’t melt quite as quickly, consider storing a bowl or two in your freezer beforehand.
- For Elderberry Syrup, I currently use Sweet’s Elderberry products (the tincture, syrup, or even shrub would work here). In the past, I’ve used Mother’s Finest Urban Farm made by my friend Samantha and it’s fantastic too.
- Why mandarins? They’re easy to section out and freeze, and are generally sweeter than other citrus. Feel free to substitute with whatever you have on hand or desire.
If you make this and enjoy it, I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below, or even see a photo of it if you tag me on Instagram (that always makes my day).
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