Sometimes you want to wolf down a mango, get all of its pulpy sweet goodness into your tummy in one go, and sit back replete, proud of a task well done. Sometimes you want to savour every bit of that mango-licious goodness, remembering the taste and flavour for the brutal months when it isn't in season.
And sometimes you want to put a whole lot of mango chunks into a blender and whip it up with some coconut milk into a smoothie that goes down so smooth, you know in your heart of hearts that it was meant to be.
A mango smoothie is tropical and summery enough on its own. Add coconut to the mix though, and it becomes even more so. Don't believe us? Take the word of Vegan Test Kitchen, which has a pretty scrumptious smoothie recipe that makes use of both ripe mango and coconut milk (and coconut extract if you want to be extra about it). The recipe post states that the mango-coconut smoothie (or the coconut-mango smoothie, if you want to be equal opportunity about it) is bound to remind one of Florida. Having never been to Florida ourselves, we'll take the Vegan Test Kitchen's word for it.
Anyway, Florida here is shorthand for sun, sea, salsa and the hazy indolence of warm and languid afternoons. (You know the kind we mean?) And this smoothie is the perfect companion for just such an afternoon.
Let us see what it entails, shall we?
1 cup of coconut milk
1 frozen banana, sliced
1 teaspoon of coconut oil
1 cup of ripe mango chunks, frozen
2 tablespoons of coconut flakes, toasted
3 mint leaves
1 teaspoon coconut extract, optional
Now that we have our ingredients, all present and correct, let us proceed to the blending of this tantalising beverage.
Vegan Test Kitchen says:
Add the coconut milk, banana slices and coconut oil to your blender. Blend on medium speed until smooth. Next, add the mango chunks (and the coconut extract if you're using it), pulse on low for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and blend until you have a smooth and creamy concoction.
Pour it out into a glass, top with the mint leaves and the toasted coconut flakes. Enjoy!
(Verdict: "Perfect for those days when you need an energy burst!" Ahem. Every day then.)
