This is the newest addition to my smoothie repertoire. I love the earthy, pungent flavor of fresh turmeric root. Cauliflower, not so much. However, I have discovered that steaming and freezing cauliflower before adding it to my smoothies disguises its smell and taste. So, instead of using rolled oats to add fiber and body to my smoothies, I have now switched to frozen cauliflower.

To make my mornings easier, I prep the cauliflower ahead. I chop a head of cauliflower into florets and blanch them in boiling water with a pinch of baking soda (to get rid of any lurking grubs). I then lightly steam the florets, dry them on a kitchen towel and freeze them on a baking tray. Once they are individually frozen, I transfer them into a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer. That way I can grab a few whenever I need to. I prefer freezing cauliflower (instead of bananas) because cauliflower does not turn brown over time.

Similarly, I buy fresh turmeric when it is in season. I wash, peel and chop it into 1” chunks (gloves recommnended) and store that in my freezer too. Fresh turmeric adds a spicy, aromatic depth to this smoothie. If fresh turmeric is not available, use dried turmeric powder instead. It can be a tad bitter for the uninitiated, so if you are new to turmeric, I would suggest you start with a smaller amount and work your way up. I do not add any additional sweeteners (the banana and whey protein are sweet enough), but feel free to throw in a pitted date if you like your smoothies sweeter. Also, do not skip the black pepper because it enhances the absorption of curcumin.

Enriched with whey protein and collagen, this golden smoothie is packed with goodness. It makes for a healthy, refreshing and satisfying breakfast, especially on warmer mornings.

Recipe

Cauliflower and Turmeric Smoothie

(Serves 2)

Ingredients

1 cup plain yogurt
2 ripe robusta bananas, sliced
1 cup cauliflower florets, steamed and frozen
1 1/2” piece fresh turmeric or 3/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 scoop vanilla whey protein (I used Muscle Blaze Raw Whey Isolate 90%)
1 scoop collagen peptides (I used Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides)
10 almonds
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp black pepper powder
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 soft, pitted date (optional)
5-6 ice cubes

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until completely smooth.

Pour the smoothie into two glasses and serve immediately.