Just this week I started getting into the Christmas spirit and making goodies for friends and family. I love the cookies and chocolates; however, I wanted to find something that was yummy, “christmasy” and good for you! I found this fabulous recipe on one of my favorite sites, Green Kitchen Stories and I knew it was the next recipe I had to try.
Of course I wanted to make it right away, but I had to wait until the next day because the almonds needed to soak for eight to twelve hours prior to blending. Once that was done, all I had to do was take the pits out of the dates, throw in the spices, almonds, and ice and blend to my heart’s content! Boy do I love my Vitamix! It made fast work of the almonds and ice and before no time I had a delicious treat. If you prefer it sweeter, you can add more dates or some honey or agave to sweeten it up a bit more!
It really does have a frothy, thick consistency just like a good ole’ vanilla ice cream shake. However, Bryce commented that it takes a few sips to get use to the fine almond grinds that get stuck on your teeth. I felt like this was a minor inconvenience for the deliciousness of the drink, but it is a different texture compared to traditional drinks. If you prefer, you can strain the almond milk with a nut milk bag, but you won’t get the same thick, frothy consistency. I suggest trying it first with the almond bits, since it is healthy fiber and protein! Now go and make this healthy, holiday treat for yourself 🙂
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of raw almonds soaked in 4 cups of water for 8-12 hours.
- 8 fresh medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cloves
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp of fresh ginger, chopped
- 6-8 ice cubes
Directions:
- Soak the almonds overnight or for 8-12 hours. Then place in blender and blend until smooth. This took about 1 minute on setting 8 for my Vitamix.
- Take the pits out of the dates and blend until smooth.
- Add the spices, ginger and ice and blend until smooth and then serve!
I stored some of it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days and it was a great, quick snack during the day!
Culinary Curio 