This date smoothie is loaded with flavor and protein. Fashioned after a Persian shake called a majoon, this version has yogurt, peanut butter and additional flavor from vanilla and cinnamon, all naturally sweetened with medjool dates and date syrup.
1cupalmond milkunsweetened or sweetened or vanilla flavored
1tablespoonhoney or date syrupif using unsweetened almond milk
½teaspoonvanilla
⅓cuppeanut butter
dash of cinnamon and sea salt
to your liking - add toasted nuts and seeds as toppings such as pistachios, almonds, walnuts, coconut flakes, sesame seeds
Instructions
Place all ingredients in the blender starting with liquids and ending with crushed ice.
Start blending on low speed and slowly increase to high. If there is some peanut butter sticking to the sides of the blender, stop blending and scrape the sides and continue. Also take a quick taste and see if you like the flavor balance.
Top with nuts or seeds of your choice. Drink immediately - can also be stored in the fridge for a day or two if you have leftovers.
Notes
Medjool dates are my favorite for this smoothie but if you have another variety such as deglet noor, use them!
Switch out the almond milk for another non-dairy or dairy choice - it will work just fine.
Nuts, seeds and coconut are optional but fun to eat/drink for the taste, texture and protein.
The order I placed the ingredients in the blender is ideal for how a Vitamix works. If your blender recommends another order of ingredients (not liquid on the bottom and ice on top) then by all means do what is best for your machine!
Use ice cream like the original majoon and serve this for dessert!