Pistachio & Avocado Layered Smoothie

Pistachio & Avocado Layered Smoothie

This recipe aims to recreate the beautiful layers and potentially uses ingredients seen in the image, such as avocado and bananas, in addition to pistachios.

Yields: 2 servings Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Green Pistachio Layer:

• 1/2 cup shelled pistachios (raw or roasted, unsalted preferred)
• 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based like almond milk, oat milk, or pistachio milk for extra flavor)
• 1 cup baby spinach (for color and nutrients, mild taste)
• 1/2 large ripe avocado, chopped
• 1/2 frozen banana, sliced (for sweetness and creaminess)
• 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (or to taste, optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• A handful of ice cubes (optional, for thicker/colder smoothie)

For the Lighter Banana/Creamy Layer:

• 1 large ripe banana, preferably frozen and sliced
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt (for creaminess and protein)
• 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (or to taste, optional)

For Garnish:

• Sliced bananas
• Chia seeds or crushed pistachios
• Black sesame seeds (as seen in the image, optional)

Equipment:

• High-speed blender
• 2 tall glasses

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients: Ensure your bananas are frozen if you’re using them for creaminess. Shell your pistachios if not already shelled.

2. Make the Lighter Banana/Creamy Layer:

   • In your blender, combine the frozen banana slices, yogurt, 1/4 cup milk, vanilla extract (if using), and honey/maple syrup (if using).
   • Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a tiny bit more milk until it reaches a pourable consistency.
   • Carefully pour about half of this mixture into the bottom of each of your two tall glasses.

3. Add Avocado Slices (Optional Visual Layer):

   • Along the inside of the glasses, gently press a few thin slices of fresh avocado (as seen in the image) against the glass, just above the creamy layer. This creates a nice visual effect.

4. Make the Green Pistachio Layer:

   • Rinse your blender if necessary. Add the shelled pistachios, 1 cup milk, baby spinach, chopped avocado, 1/2 frozen banana, honey/maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract (if using), and ice cubes (if using) to the blender.
   • Blend on high speed until completely smooth and vibrant green. Ensure there are no pistachio chunks left. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon or two more milk until it reaches a pourable consistency.

5. Assemble the Smoothie:

   • Carefully and slowly pour the green pistachio smoothie mixture over the lighter layer in each glass. Pouring slowly helps maintain the layers.
   • If desired, drizzle a little bit of the lighter banana mixture over the top of the green layer before adding the final green layer for a layered effect like in the image.

6. Garnish and Serve:

   • Top each smoothie with fresh banana slices.
   • Sprinkle generously with chia seeds and/or black sesame seeds for visual appeal and added nutrition, mimicking the look in the image.
   • Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Frozen Ingredients: Using frozen bananas and optional ice cubes helps create a thick, cold, and creamy smoothie without needing too much added ice, which can dilute the flavor.
• Pistachio Butter (Optional): For an even richer pistachio flavor and smoother texture, you could use 1-2 tablespoons of pistachio butter in the green layer instead of some of the whole pistachios.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the smoothie before serving and add more honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink.
• Thickness: Adjust the amount of milk to achieve your desired smoothie consistency. Add more for a thinner smoothie, less for a thicker one.
• High-Powered Blender: A good quality high-speed blender is recommended for smoothly blending pistachios and achieving a creamy texture. If you don’t have one, you might want to soak the pistachios in hot water for 30 minutes before blending, then drain them, to help them break down more easily.
• Variations:
  • Add Protein: Include a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder in either layer for an extra protein boost.
  • Other Greens: While spinach is mild, you could experiment with other greens like kale for a different nutrient profile.
  • Other Fruits: Add a few pineapple chunks or mango to the green layer for a tropical twist.