Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone! I’m back from a work trip and couldn’t wait to make myself a smoothie and return to clean eating. (I’m not getting on the scale for a few more days, if you know what I mean.)
Can you believe this is my blog’s first recipe featuring pineapple, even though it’s by far my favorite fruit? It’s probably because I usually just stand at the counter and eat it like candy. But I do make this Piña Colada and Banana Breakfast Smoothie, and if you’re a lover of pineapple and coconut, you’ve got to try this! It’s a taste of tropical heaven, and it’s healthy and vegan to boot.
I start with a ripe banana and add fresh, juicy pineapple chunks, light almond milk, unsweetened coconut, walnuts, oats and coconut extract. I top it with ice and whirl it in my blender until it’s like a virgin Piña Colada. Yum!!
For research purposes, I did try some with a shot of coconut rum in the afternoon while snapping my photos. So, if you prefer to make a “naughty” version of this smoothie after a long day of work and call it dinner and a cocktail…I think that’s perfectly acceptable.
Enjoy!
(Recipe Source: Cooking with Mamma C)
- 1 ripe banana (peeled and broken in half)
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks (see notes on how to cut a fresh pineapple)
- 1 cup almond milk (I use light)
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/8 cup shelled walnuts
- 1/3 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1/2 cup ice
- Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth.
If starting with a fresh, whole pineapple, twist off the green top and discard. Trim off the ends with a sharp knife and stand up the pineapple. Starting at the top, trim off the skin a section at a time by making downward slices.
Trim off any hard parts and use a small knife to pick out the seeds. Discard the skin and seeds and rinse your cutting board. Rinse your knife and pineapple and pat dry.
Stand up the pineapple, and starting to the right of the core, slice downward. Rotate the pineapple and continue slicing downward around the core. Discard the core and cut the remaining pineapple into chunks.
Try this smoothie with coconut rum after 5 p.m.!
Roz @ La Bella Vita Cucina says
Oh my goodness, it must be a pineapple smoothie kind of weekend! I love your smoothie and need to add the banana next time. I used mango in my pineapple smoothie this weekend, but either way isn’t pineapple just the BEST? I’ve also fallen deeply in love with almond milk!
Have a great Sunday!
Roz
Mamma C says
I’d love to try your mango version, Roz! Fresh pineapple always puts a little spring in my step. It’s the little things…Thanks, and have a great day as well! 🙂
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
Gosh, this sounds good! As does the addition of coconut rum after 5:00 pm. 🙂 Such a fun summer smoothie! Thanks, Andrea!
Mamma C says
It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, right? 🙂 Thanks, Annie!
Cheryl "Cheffie Cooks" Wiser says
Did I hear tropical and pool in the same sentence??? Oh my, right up my alley. Glad you’re home and in the swing of things! Now then try some pineapple and coconut pancakes under the swaying palm trees and your’e there! (Yes, I think some where in my TK recipe box they are there), I am slowly losing track. HeeHee! Have a great week! Your Florida Bud, Cheryl
Mamma C says
Pineapple and coconut pancakes?! Yes, please! Thanks, Cheryl!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
Love this summer-style smoothie! Looks delicious, Andrea!
Mamma C says
Thanks, Jess! It’s the next best thing to sipping a tropical drink by the pool. 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
It’ so hard to eat healthy food on work trips, isn’t it? This smoothie looks like the most delicious way to get back into the swing of things! Hope you’re having a great long week-end!
Mamma C says
The portions are huge at restaurants! I’m glad to say I’m back on track, after three days of healthy eating. Thanks, Denise!