Sunday, 31 May 2009

Rhubarb and Raspberry Smoothie

Yesterday we went out for brunch. It was nice but not a patch on breakfast at home today. All it takes is an interesting smoothie, wonderful bread and good cheese.

On the way home yesterday we stopped at Andre’s, a new local café at the entrance to Coburg Market. He has just started selling bread (just on Thursdays and Saturdays at the moment). We bought some caraway rye and it is fantastic! Dense, chewy and full of flavour. Finally, a local shop that sells excellent bread as well as great cakes. We also have some lovely mature crumbly cheddar that my mum brought for me at the Vic Market last week.

Then a few nights back I made a rhubarb crumble. The actual crumble needs a bit of work before I post it but the rhubarb was fantastic. It was cooked with honey, orange and cinnamon. In a moment of wisdom I set some rhubarb aside. Into my blending jug went some rhubarb, berries from the freezer, dregs of a bottle of pomegranate juice and juice of the half orange lingering in the fridge.

What a success. Both the rhubarb and raspberry flavours are rich and delicious with hints of orange, cinnamon and honey but not overly sweet. The colour is a deep and gorgeous pink. It is quite thick and icy.

I first tried rhubarb in a smoothie last year when I had some leftover baked rhubarb. It was truly a revelation. If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend it. All that was missing today was a dollop of my new favourite honey and cinnamon yoghurt. Next time!

Rhubarb and Raspberry Smoothie
Makes 1½ glasses or 1 large glass

½ cup cooked rhubarb
½ cup frozen or fresh raspberries
½ cup pomegranate juice
juice of ½ an orange

Blend (I used a hand held blender) and drink.

On the stereo:
Greatest Irish Bands: Various Artists
at

14 comments:

  1. Frances31 May 2009 at 12:46

    yum - what a delicious idea to put rhubarb in a smoothie. I have never tried it but your concoction sounds grand. I will indeed set a little bit aside next time we stew some up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cindy31 May 2009 at 13:43

    Pomegranate molasses and rhubarb? That's my kind of smoothie! I just bought Michael a stick blender, and perhaps I should give it a go. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. fleur31 May 2009 at 16:47

    I love Rhubarb baked in Honey its just perfect :) O and thanks for the chocolate recipe I will try it sometime for sure

    ReplyDelete
  4. MyKitchenInHalfCups31 May 2009 at 19:32

    I haven't gotten any rhubarb this spring. I need to correct that. This looks really good and the honey would make it tops.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sophie31 May 2009 at 20:50

    A great mix for a smoothie Johanna. I've tried rhubarb with orange but raspberries sound like a good accompaniment too. Rhubarb has such a characterful taste compared with some fruits that I think you need something that can stand up to it!

    Have recently discovered that at least two of my friends have huge, out of control rhubarb patches in their gardens (bliss!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Johanna GGG31 May 2009 at 22:28

    Thanks Frances - hope you enjoy!

    Thanks Cindy - I used juice but would be interested to try pomegranate molasses - that is exciting you have a stick blender - they are fantastic for soups and smoothies

    Thanks Flower - I had thought of putting coconut on this like your smoothies but forgot - must remember to try it

    Thanks Tanna - strangely enough I think of rhubarb as wintery - maybe because it is always cooked

    Thanks Sophie - lucky you to have friends who need your help with the rhubarb!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ricki1 June 2009 at 06:02

    And I just happen to have some rhubarb sitting in my fridge. . . this is such a wonderful idea! I'm sure the raspberries complemented it beautifully. Looking forward to the crisp, too. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jacqueline Meldrum1 June 2009 at 06:46

    That sounds brilliant Johanna! I really love rhubarb. This would be an ideal lunch in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Johanna GGG1 June 2009 at 18:11

    thanks Ricki - I wish I had rhubarb a bit more so I would just happen to have some in my fridge - I really don't eat it enough!

    Thanks Jacqueline - lunch in the garden sounds lovely but the weather here is not quite right for it - hope your weather is warm enough!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Juliana2 June 2009 at 03:48

    WOW, nice combination of flavors for a smoothie...sounds and looks great! Nice picture as well

    ReplyDelete
  11. eatme_delicious2 June 2009 at 04:52

    Mmm delicious! I really miss smoothies. I need to get a new blender.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Astra Libris2 June 2009 at 17:35

    Ooohhhh, you just created the most gorgeous smoothie I've ever seen!! The smoothie, the beautiful bread, and the glorious cheese sounds much much much better than any restaurant brunch, indeed!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. aforkfulofspaghetti2 June 2009 at 19:48

    I could use a glass of that right now! What a fantastic colour!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Johanna GGG2 June 2009 at 21:35

    Thanks Juliana

    Thanks Ashley - hope you get a new blender - so you can make smoothies with all that wonderful summer fruit I hope you have about

    Thanks Astra - now why can't you buy such a brunch at a cafe!

    Thanks A Forkful - the colour is so cheery isn't it

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for dropping by. I love hearing from you. Please share your thoughts and questions. Annoyingly the spammers are bombarding me so I have turned on the pesky captcha code (refresh to find an easy one if you don't like the first one)