Berries are an absolute favourite of mine. Not only do they taste delicious, but they’re also really good for you. Berries are a rich source of antioxidants which help reduce oxidative stress. They’re particularly great for diabetics since berries can help reduce blood sugar levels. 100g of strawberries contain just under 8g of carbs which make it a great option for those looking to follow a low carb diet and surprisingly, 100g also meets the entire RDI for vitamin C!
Nutritional benefits aside, I think the reason why we all love berries so much is because of that wonderfully sweet yet tart taste. However, berries were only available in some parts; Mahabaleshwar, for instance, is famous for its strawberries and during season time, you can see hawkers selling fruit on every road in Mumbai. Over the years many hydroponic farms have also made berries available to us year round. While fresh is best in many cases, for berries, you might be better off with frozen ones. Berries are ripened on the plant till just right and then plucked and frozen. They carry the same nutritional value and last a lot longer than fresh berries. Fresh berries are often plucked early to ensure a good colour by their final destination, but these berries are often too tart. For smoothie bowls in particular, frozen berries are always better since they lend a creamier and thicker consistency to the bowl.
EQUIPMENT
I’ve come to realise that the Nutri-blend is my best friend in the morning. I love cooking and I love breakfast but I’m not a morning person! So early morning is the worst time for me to make my way to the kitchen. The Nutri-blend has changed all of that for me. Smoothies, smoothie bowls, iced coffees and green juices have made my breakfasts so colourful and nutritious. It fits perfectly in my hand and I never need to worry about spillage because of the tight lid. I also love that you can replace the blending base with a lid to store your food in the same jar in your fridge. Wonderchef has a range of Nutri-blend variants to fit your every need. If you’re a big smoothie lover like me, you’ll want the Nutri-blend Bolt which comes with more power, a larger motor and a sipper lid that you can attach straight onto the jar!
You can choose to use whichever combination of berries you like. The addition of protein powder and Greek yoghurt just makes this bowl that much more filling and nutritious. I personally love the combination of peanut butter and berries but feel free to skip that one if you’re not in the mood. The most fun part of the smoothie bowl is topping it so go all out! I like to go on taste but also colour. I usually pick toppings that contrast the colour of the base. Try sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, chia seeds, slivered almonds or white chocolate. After all, we do eat with our eyes first!
RECIPE CARD
Serves: 1
Time: 10 min
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
- Water
- 2 cups of Frozen Mixed Berries
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- ½ cup Oat Milk
- 1 scoop Protein Powder
- 1 tbsp Peanut Butter
Toppings: Coconut flakes, almonds, fresh fruit, sunflower seeds.
Method:
- Add the chia seeds to a small bowl with enough water to cover them. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once soaked, gather the rest of ingredients and add along with the chia seeds to the juicer jar of the Nutri-blend.
- Blend until smooth.
- Transfer to a bowl and top with coconut flakes, nuts or your choice of topping before serving.
Author: Sneha Sundar is the creator of You Dim Sum, You Lose Some; a philosophy she adopts both in and out of the kitchen.
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