My favourite breakfast - Smoothie Nr. 1

A few years ago I totally changed my breakfast habits.
Not that it's so hard to do since the typical Italian breakfast isn't that exciting - most people have just an espresso or a cappuccino at the local bar, sometimes accompanied by a cornetto, the Italian version of the French croissant, or caffelatte e biscotti, cookies dipped in milk with coffee, at home.
I must admit that for a country of such food-obsessed people breakfast is definitely not a very representative meal but I guess it's because we prefer to concentrate our energy and appetite on more "substantial" things like il pranzo e la cena (lunch and dinner).

I don't eat a lot of fruit during the day because I prefer to do that the "Fit for life way" - meaning that at least three hours have to pass from eating fruit after other types of food like grains or meat. And let's face it, when do I have such long time lapses between meals and little snacks or culinary experiments if not when I'm sleeping? ;)
So for me the best moment for eating lots of fresh fruit is definitely breakfast time.

I first started with whole fruits but I got bored quite soon so I decided to make fruit salads, but that wasn't quite my thing either since I find it a time-consuming occupation. In the morning I'm usually pretty hungry and very much in the "No Time To Waste" mode because I want to take out the dog, check my email, read the latest news, blablabla. Life on the fast lane, you see (haha, NOT!). ;)
Though I love to spend lots of time cooking during the rest of the day - and I usually do - in the mornings I like being fast and furious. So I switched to making (and drinking) smoothies. And what a fantastic solution that is.
I usually prepare my smoothies with season's fruit and some good, ready-made - possibly organic - juice, often made from just apples or apples and cranberry.

If I really crave for the tropical taste I add some creamy coconut milk and I ALWAYS use the juice of a  lime, freshly squeezed and blended with the rest. I just LOVE limes.
I use whole fruits - meaning with their skin - because of the fibers. For the same reason I do not use a fruit centrifuge because all those precious fibers would be lost and just blend my fruit into the ready-made juice.
This morning's version has a summery Italian taste thanks to the fresh basil and the nectarines plus a tropical twist due to the fresh pineapple and the coconut cream.
I prefer fruit at room temperature but I love blending some ice cubes in it on hotter days.
Salute!

Pineapple, nectarine, banana, basil and coconut smoothie

Serves 2

3 dl apple juice
1 banana
2 slices of fresh pineapple
2 ripe nectarines
1 lime, squeezed
1 tablespoon of coconut cream/milk
2-3 basil leaves

Blend everything together and serve immediately.

                                                Tropical-fruity music (real vintage!) :)

Comments

[Bonbon Oiseau]

mmmm..i love the addition to basil leaves to this. i may try one for myself after the greenmarket on saturday when i get some good fruit! beautiful photo on the bottom as well, like a dutch master (with a modern twist!)

[Nicoletta]

Thank you Bonbon, the basil gives it that Italian master twist! ;)