One of the best things about life in Doha is the availability of all types of fresh juices! In the US, sometimes we can find fresh orange juice at the stores, right? When we arrived in Doha 14 years ago, one of the first things we noticed were the little fresh juice stalls everywhere (parks, commercial streets and complexes, malls, etc.), where for about $2 you could get incredible fresh-squeezed juices, including “cocktail” combinations of several. Vitamin King, for example, offers fresh orange, mango, lemon, lemon mint, pomegranate, grapefruit, banana, watermelon, sweet melon, tamarind, strawberry, kiwi, peach, apricot, figs, guava, pineapple, green apple, red apple, coconut, papaya, dates, passion fruit, carrot, ginger, cucumber, tomato, beetroot, chikoo (sapodilla), and… avocado juice! Let’s talk more about the taste and health benefits of avocado.
Avocados are an amazing addition to any layered juice cocktail or smoothie combination. They give this delicious creaminess to the smoothie that is just spectacular. I’m not the only person in the world who has realized that avocados are an awesome and versatile addition—check out the avocado brownies at Erin Clarke’s Well Plated and the avocado banana bread at Dorothy Kern’s Crazy for Crust. Avocados’ mild taste and “good” fat make it easy and delicious to use them up in all sorts of ways!
And avocados have great health benefits! As WebMD and the Mayo Clinic, among many other reputable health sites, note, avocados are a superfood. Their high monounsaturated fat content can help reduce cholesterol (making it a “heart healthy fat”). Avocados are packed with almost 20 different vitamins and minerals—including a large amount of folate, an important vitamin to take during pregnancy! Even though they are in the fruit family, avocados are low in sugar. And their high fiber content helps you feel fuller for longer while also improving your digestive health!
Smoothies can be such a treat! So why not treat yourself today? Here’s my recipe for a wonderful avocado smoothie.
Avocado Smoothie
Ingredients:
½ ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks
1 banana
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
Juice or other liquid (I love mango juice in this smoothie, but you could also use orange juice or even a cold-brew green tea if you wanted to cut down on the sugar)
Super simple method! Just add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and add the amount of juice that gets you to your ideal consistency. More juice makes a thinner smoothie; less juice gives you a thicker smoothie. Makes about 1 pint of smoothie. Garnish with a colorful straw and enjoy!