Another week, another tasty sip! I think I’m finally starting to dip into some January blahs. The appeal of cozying has dulled a touch and I kinda just want to go outside and play in the dirt a bit. In the meantime, there is bright, sunshine flavor from smoothies like this one.
I hope you love this blood orange smoothie with a hint of cardamom and some sweetness from dates. I use pear as the primary thickening agent in this vegan smoothie! I know some folks don’t exactly love banana in their blends, so this is a great alternative strategy. I also use a touch of coconut milk-based yogurt for some richness and extra tang.
Coconut Blood Orange Lassi with Cardamom
This creamy, vegan coconut blood orange lassi features a warm sprinkle of cardamom and a little bit of natural sweetness from dates.
Servings 2
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and chopped
- 2 small-medium blood oranges, peeled and chopped
- 2 soft medjool dates, pitted
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cultured coconut milk/coconut yogurt
- ½ cup non-dairy milk
- pinch sea salt
Equipment
Notes
- The ripe pear really makes this drink work. I freeze chunks of peeled pears all the time for my shakes. It’s great when I want something thick and lightly creamy, but without the distinctly banana-ish taste.
- I find an alternative lassi is most successful when you incorporate some type of less acidic fruit as the base–ie banana, mango (the original!), papaya etc, so the pear really does need to be ripe here.
- I used coconut yogurt for this, but if you aren’t dairy-averse, feel free to use whatever you like.
Instructions
- In an upright blender, combine the pear, blood oranges, dates, cardamom, vanilla, coconut milk yogurt, non-dairy milk, and salt. Blend on high until completely smooth. Enjoy!
Absolutely delicious. Used cara caras because I prefer them but this is a complete keeper recipe. Perfect.
I am a regular smoothie drinker, and seem to have gotten into a boring routine. I follow your blog, and often am inspired by your recipes. This one caught my eye because I have lots of organic ripe pears in the fridge. I was skeptical, but I am glad to say it was DELISH! I didnt have blood oranges so I used clementines instead. Thanks so much!
I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Psychic Teachers!
oh hey, I live on Oahu. I’ve hosted The Vegan Lisa before and would love to meet up, and can help you with seeking out awesome veg-friendly options around town :)
Looks like a lot of other folks also shared some insight, so let me know if you need some more!
aloha, Andrea B
I have been LOVING the psychic teachers podcast. I listened to it on my 5 hour drive yesterday. Such great stuff. Thanks for sharing. I’m loving these link posts.
Isn’t it incredible? It’s part of my evening wind-down ritual now. Glad you’re into the link posts! :)
-L
Hi there, I always enjoy reading your posts and this time I saw that you were going to Oahu. I’m from there, though recently moved to the Pacific Northwest, and thought you would appreciate some tips :)
Coffee & Food:1) Morning Glass Coffee and Cafe (Manoa) 2) The Curb Kaimuki
Food: 1) Pig and the Lady (Chinatown) 2) The Tavern (Chinatown) 3) Beetbox Cafe (Haleiwa) 4) ‘Ai Love Nalo (Waimanalo) 5) La Cocina (Kakaako) 6) Town Kaimuki (Kaimuki)
Drinks: 1) Bevy (Kakaako) 2) Pint and Jigger (King St)
Treats: 1) Waiola Shave Ice (Kapahulu St) 2) Banan Food Truck (Diamond Head) 3) Otto Cheesecakes (Kaimuki) 4) Via Gelato (Kaimuki) 5) Manoa Chocolate Co.
Places: 1)Paiko (plants and HI made goods), 2) Owens and Co. (Chinatown)
Best Beaches: Avoid Waikiki unless you really want to see it (if you go, eat at Bills Waikiki and sit upstairs) 1) most beaches on North Shore 2)Kailua or Lanikai beach but will be crowded (if in Lanikai do the pillboxes hike or kayak to the Mokes Islands off the shore)
Hikes: Diamond Head has a great view but very busy and hot, rather an urban hike. Otherwise 1) Wiliwilinui 2) Kokohead and/or Kokohead Crater 3) Koliouou 4) hawaii Loa Ridge 5) Maunawili falls (Hike #1, 3 & 4: you’ll hit a guard station but if you tell them you’re there for the hike theyll let you in with a pass).
I could go on but I hope that helps, have a lovely time on Oahu!
Thanks for all of these amazing and thoughtful recommendations, Jasmine! Incredibly helpful. Making a note of all of these! :D
-L
The combination of coconut, cardamom, and blood oranges sounds brilliant. Thanks for the inspiration!
Holy moly. Blood orange anything is my shiiiii. Had a blood orange saison while visiting the US last year. Perfect. Can’t wait to round up some winter citrus here in Beijing and give this a try!
laura, a note to say that this lassi is banging. i’ve successfully been thinking about it all weekend & you bet as soon as i have blood oranges in check around here i will pounce them for the chance to get this going in my morning life. flavors so smart lady. ♥ ps yes to hawaii
whoa, hawaii! have the most fun. this lassi looks lovely – I’m obsessed with the blood orange.
You MUST go to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel for THE classic Mai Tai! Beautiful view too. Whereabouts will you be staying? I lived on Oahu for three years and have so many recommendations of things to do/places to go/places to eat depending on what you’re looking for. Feel free to drop me a line!
We’re staying right by The Royal Hawaiian (for half the trip) and I’ve read that their mai tais are aces! We’re staying in a little studio in Haleiwa for the other half. I’ve read that the beaches/waves are pretty intense there this time of year, so we’ll see ;)
-L
No tips on Hawaii here, just wanted to say thanks for all the great links. I was having a rough day, but it’s brighter after spending a little time here. And that blood orange lassi looks amazing.
Happy to add a little brightness when I can :)
-L
O wow, I’d love to go there. Enjoy and share your tips later :)
Went to the store to get blood oranges this morning and THEY WERE OUT. May have let out an audible YOU HAVE GOT TO BE #%@&ing KIDDING ME!!!!!?!?! Needless to say, Thom didn’t get the lassi I promised. :-//////
Absolutely love these links! Just discovered Nourish Atelier too! Love her feed. Am totally making this beauty drink this morning on this rainy(!?) last day in January.
Ah, Hawaii. I went on vacation there thirty years ago and never went back. Food: check out the Farmers Market Saturday mornings at Kapiolani College.. Lots of prepared food to eat there. For more traditional farmers market, Windward Mall Wednesday afternoon. My two favorite restaurants: “The Monkey Pod” on the west side across the street from the Disney resort ( which also has the best Mai tai on Oahu and a great happy hour) and “Town” in Kaimuki…. Both farm to table type restaurants. “Down to Earth” which has three locations on Oahu is a vegetarian grocery store with a great salad bar and hot table. Hikes: don’t miss the Diamond Head hike, which should be done early morning or it gets too hot. I also like the Aiea Loop trail, Maunawili Falls, Waimea Falls (easy) and Manoa Falls which all end with guess what? A waterfall, of course! Caution: don’t swim in these falls with open cuts or wounds. Google “Leptospirosis” to find out why. Touristy stuff: Glider rides on the North Shore…ask for Mr. Bill. Polynesian Cultural Center…the “actors” are real Polynesians attending BYU. Pearl Harbor, it’s FREE but Check their website for some VERY IMPORTANT info before you go….and THE BEACHES!!!! North shore can be pretty knarly this time of year with the big waves, sometimes so big swimming is off limits. I love Kailua Beach on the Windward side…more of a morning beach as clouds/wind move in late afternoon, and of course Waikiki is good all the time…gentle. Lastly/sadly, don’t leave any valuables in your car. Back in the 1700’s when Captain Cook first came to the islands some natives stole his boat and it all ended very badly. Unfortunately, some of that stuff still continues to this day, so be forewarned and be careful. Other than that, HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION and welcome to my island!!
Hey Michelle! How amazing that you found your true home on vacation. Thanks so much for sending all of these fantastic recommendations and tips. I’ve bookmarked what I can and made a note of everything else.
Much, much appreciated :)
-L
Love the idea of cardamom and Blood Orange in a Lassi! – A perfect winter drink. I so much enjoyed the eclectic mix of links,and especially the story on female friendships! And wauw, thanks for including my blog in this post! I feel so honored, Laura, your blog is so inspiring, both phtography writing and the food style! Have a lovely weekend and greetings from the Netherlands :)
I think the female friendship article was my favourite this week. I appreciate your work so much, Nina, so I’m happy to share it with (hopefully) some new readers. Have a nice weekend!
xo L
Love the list of things you’ve read/enjoyed/thought about! Thanks for sharing! I love cardamom, but I tend to just use it on my coffee or oatmeal, so off to the store I go for some pears….☺
I’ve never tried cardamom in my coffee and I’m definitely going to remedy that tomorrow morning :D
-L
Ahh I’m so excited for you that you’re going to Hawaii!! It’s on my bucket list and I’m dying to get there one day. Having a real vacation will be really nice I’m sure. And I hear you on the January blahs… all of a sudden I’ve been overwhelmed with this urge to be outside and garden! I’m so excited for spring :)
I think we’re all past that “resolutions, starting over, yayayaya!” part of the year and now Spring is just waaaaay too far away. More time for cooking I guess ;)
xo L
This sounds delicious and reminds me that I haven’t bought blood oranges yet this year. I don’t think I’ve even seen them yet but hopefully soon! I’m obsessed with cardamom and I can’t wait to try this with the pear. Excellent links by the way – as soon as I read “energy vampire” in the show notes, I had a feeling the psychic podcast would be right up my alley especially considering some of the clients I’ve had lately at work – yikes. And the crystal chart, mast bros article … so much to read and think about. Have a super weekend Laura! xo (ps – yay Hawaii!!! so awesome)
I feel like blood oranges have juuuust started appearing in the stores around here. Last time I went to pick some up, the signage said “Blood Oranges,” but they were definitely grapefruits when I got them home (good thing I like grapefruit). I triple checked this time :D Hope you’re having a great weekend!
-L