Cooking for your Health: Mango Smoothie with Chili and Lime

Mango Smoothie with Chili, Lime and Ginger

In this month’s installment of Cooking for your Health, it’s time to get serious: Let’s talk bikinis. Summer is nearly here in the northern hemisphere, and while the weather may not yet be blinding hot, it will be soon enough, which means that it’s time to haul out the swimsuits. Don’t panic. Getting in shape for our bikinis and trunks should not sacrifice good nutrition, flavor or enjoyment. That’s where this smoothie comes in as the perfect liquid meal and refreshment for when the days grow warm.

Smoothies are a blend of fruit and/or vegetables, blitzed with ice, juice or yogurt. They may be sweet, savory or a blend of both, such as in this Mango Smoothie. It’s a tropical mix of mango and pineapple balanced with citrus, the prickle of ginger and a kick of heat from chile which lends a pleasant vegetal note. It’s a refreshing, nourishing and low caloric snack in a glass. You might be parked on a chaise lounge under an umbrella, but your tastebuds will be dancing. 

Mango Smoothie with Chili and Lime

The Thai flavors in this smoothie hint at holidays and far flung destinations. It’s summer after all – we should all feel like we are on vacation, even if it’s in our own back yard. Feel free to use frozen fruit in place of fresh if needed. For extra flavor, freeze coconut water in ice cube trays and use for the ice cubes when blending the smoothie.

Serves 1 to 2.

1 ripe mango, peeled, cut in pieces, about 1 1/2 cups
1 cup peeled, chopped fresh pineapple
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 red jalapeno pepper, seeded, finely chopped
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons peeled and finely grated fresh ginger with juice
1 cup ice cubes or frozen coconut water cubes

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve cold.