Sometimes you just want to start your day with a little chocolate, or maybe you need a little afternoon pick me up in the form of Vitamin CH (chocolate). This smoothie will help you satisfy that chocolate craving in a healthy way. You may be surprised when you see the super healthy addition to this smoothie. In fact, it is one of my favourite smoothie “sneak ins”-frozen cauliflower! It provides bulk to your smoothies, is low carb, healthy and pretty much undetectable flavour- wise. My husband is allergic to bananas, so they are not something we use, plus I find bananas have a strong, distinct flavour that makes whatever you’re making taste like bananas. If you are a “Nutella” lover or even if you are not, and just a chocolate lover, you are sure to love this smoothie!
Hazelnuts grow well in many places, including here on the west coast and in Europe. They are a far more sustainable nut than almonds. Though it is an extra step, quickly roasting the hazelnuts is essential to get the toastey Nutella flavour in this smoothie.
HOW TO ROAST HAZELNUTS: Preheat oven to 325 F (I use my small convection/toaster oven set at 300 F “convection”) and line a pan with parchment or silicone silpat sheet. Depending on your oven you may need to roast at 350 F (not convection)to get a proper toasting on the nuts. Place hazelnuts in a single layer on the pan and roast for 12-15 minutes or until they are lightly toasted. Make sure you watch them carefully as nuts burn VERY easily. Allow them to cool a little. The next step is to remove a portion of the hazelnut skins. By toasting them a little then removing the skins it also gives you a much richer, nuttier, deeper more “Nutella” like taste. Not only that, but removing most of the skins takes away the bitterness that is found in the skins. HOW TO REMOVE THEIR SKINS: while they are still warm (not hot) grab a small handful and rub them between the palms of your two hands. I usually place a large plate underneath as you rub the hazelnuts, otherwise you will have bits of brown skin everywhere. You now have roasted hazelnuts, for much cheaper than store bought and since they are fresh roasted they are just that-FRESH! Store bought roasted nuts can go rancid, so it is best, if you can, to roast your own.
Nuts are packed with protein and healthy fats so no need to add in any protein powders to this smoothie.
Roast hazelnuts according to directions in the HOW TO ROAST HAZELNUTS, allow to cool and remove skins (see recipe intro) or use pre-roasted store bought hazelnuts.
Add hazelnuts and the rest of the ingredients to a high powdered blender and blend on high for at least 2 minutes or so, or until smooth and silky. Depending on your blender this may take less or more time as the hazelnuts need to be completely broken down and smooth. Pour into 2 cups. Enjoy 1 serving and save the other serving in the refrigerator for the next day. Shake well before drinking.
Ingredients
Directions
Roast hazelnuts according to directions in the HOW TO ROAST HAZELNUTS, allow to cool and remove skins (see recipe intro) or use pre-roasted store bought hazelnuts.
Add hazelnuts and the rest of the ingredients to a high powdered blender and blend on high for at least 2 minutes or so, or until smooth and silky. Depending on your blender this may take less or more time as the hazelnuts need to be completely broken down and smooth. Pour into 2 cups. Enjoy 1 serving and save the other serving in the refrigerator for the next day. Shake well before drinking.