As winter approaches, everyone finds themselves reaching out for the warmest of everything ranging from clothes to food. Winter is certainly the season of eating piping hot food, but more than that, it is the time to indulge in warm and comforting soups, broths and other fluids that generate and maintain heat throughout the body. And speaking of warm fluids, hot smoothies have become quite the perfect winter breakfast option for many recently.
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For those unversed, hot smoothies are warm versions of smoothies, meaning that they are a thick, nutritious and delicious blend of ingredients that are turned into a warm liquid. As an idea, hot smoothies are a recent innovation created in the West to cater to the demands of winter season which also coincides with the holiday season and Christmas. However, in India, hot smoothies for breakfast can be given a more local twist with seasonal winter ingredients.
From berries, fruits and dry fruits to vegetables and greens, there are plenty of ingredients that become available during winters in India. These can easily be turned into hot smoothies for the perfect winter breakfast for Indians who love smoothies for breakfast in any case. Here are some such smoothies you can try out.
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1. Golden Turmeric Smoothie
Winter is the season when fresh turmeric becomes easily available all over India, and this is the perfect opportunity to turn it into a delicious smoothie. All you need to do is blend turmeric, coconut milk, ginger, black pepper and some sugar together, then warm it up. Add a drizzle of honey before serving it and enjoy the warm embrace of turmeric smoothie, that too a warm one.
2. Spiced Sweet Potato Smoothie
Sweet potatoes can be quite the winter delight for everyone, which is why turning it into a smoky and warm smoothie is a great idea. All you need to do is roast some sweet potatoes, peel them and put them in a blender while still hot. Add some cardamom, almond milk and jaggery and blend it all together to make a warm smoothie that is slightly sweet and utterly yummy.
3. Ginger-Spinach Smoothie
Spinach or palak is another winter favourite in India that can be turned into a delicious smoothie on any day. Just cook down some spinach spiced with ginger and blend it until you get a smooth paste. Add warm almond milk, some baby spinach if you want to reinforce the spinach flavour, and salt. Blend it all up to make a warm and delicious smoothie for breakfast.
4. Orange & Carrot Smoothie
Both carrots and oranges are at their seasonal best during Indian winters, so why not turn them into a warm smoothie for your breakfast indulgence? Roast the carrots and blend them with some warm almond milk, then add a bit of ginger and warm water to blend further. Add orange juice last and just stir the smoothie before enjoying it while it’s still warm and fresh.
5. Nutty Oats Smoothie
Winter is the season when dry fruits and nuts become more widely and cheaply available across India, and they also provide plenty of warmth to the body. So, this is the time to make a nutty oats smoothie that is warm. Blend roasted oats, almonds, cashews, nutmeg, cinnamon and warm milk together to make this easy and nutritious hot smoothie.
6. Spiced Date Smoothie
As mentioned before, winter is just that time of the year to indulge in dry fruits, nuts and seeds that warm the body. To make a spiced date smoothie that is warm and meets this demand for inclusion of winter special ingredients, just place the dates in a blender with hot milk, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. Blend it all up to make a slightly sweet and beautifully spiced smoothie.
7. Strawberry-Beetroot Smoothie
Both strawberries and beetroots become available at their best during Indian winters, and both also have a beautiful colour that can be utilised to make a delicious smoothie. Roast the beetroots, then blend them up while still hot with strawberries, warm milk, and some almonds to create a hot berry and veggie smoothie for breakfast.