“Hi, my name is Tess and I am a blendaholic” says Tess Masters, aka, The Blender Girl of the wildly popular website of the same name. Tess just released her first cookbook, also titled The Blender Girl.
As you’d expect from the title, there are plenty of blended beverages in this user friendly book, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to continue to chew your food! There are also recipes for as staples like dips, sauces, and condiments that can transform a simple plate of steamed vegetables, a salad, sandwiches, or other “sink your teeth into it” foods from bland to brilliant. Recipes for savory dishes include Fresh Spring Rolls with Orange-Almond Sauce, Twisted Caesar Pleaser, Spicy Chickpea Burgers with Portobello Buns and Greens, and I-Love-Veggies! Bake. Her desserts are out of this world, with recipes for such treats as Chocolate-Chile Banana Spilly, Flourless Triple-Pecan Mousse Pie, and Chai Rice Pudding.
The recipes are definitely easy to make, foolproof when you follow Tess’s clear directions, and they are delicious, but I was surprised–in a good way– by the amount of food education found in the book. Nut-milk cheat sheets, soaking and sprouting charts, nutrient guides, and resources for finding ingredients are all in the book. While Tess uses the gold-standard Vitamix blenders, the book lists and compares other brands, including those that are considerably expensive. Tess assures that any blender will successfully make the recipes in her book.
If you’ve seen Tess do a demo as I have—wow–you know she is a woman who exudes health, vitality, and enthusiasm. Her book, The Blender Girl, is like having Tess cheering you on in your kitchen.
As I make desserts nearly everyday, I am always on the lookout for healthy fruit and veg heavy blended drinks. I was drawn to the Anti-oxidant Avenger by the recipe’s name alone, but the photograph of this jewel tone beverage sealed the deal. I made it and trusted Tess’s promise: “Every recipe can easily be adjusted to your personal taste: add an extra squeeze of this, another handful of that, or leave something out altogether— my recipes are super easy and forgiving, so you can’t mess them up.” I did not have macqui in my pantry so I used a teaspoon of maca instead. The beverage was delicious and good for me.
Antioxidant Avenger
Serves 2
Ingredients
- ½ cup (120ml) coconut water
- ½ teaspoon probiotic powder (optional)
- 1 packet (3.5 ounces/100g) frozen acai pulp, or 2 tablespoons dried acai powder
- 2 teaspoons maqui powder
- 2 cups (320g) mixed fresh or frozen berries (1/2 cup each of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries)
- ½ cup (85g) red seedless grapes
- 1 ripe pear, skin on, cored and diced
- ½ teaspoon minced ginger (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)
- 1 cup (125g) ice cubes
- 1 chopped pitted date, soaked
Preparation
Throw everything into your blender and puree on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until smooth and creamy. Tweak the sweetness to taste.
Tess has been kind enough to give me a book to share with a lucky reader. To enter to win, follow the instructions below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Recipe and photos reprinted with permission from The Blender Girl by Tess Masters, copyright (c) 2014. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House LLC.
Tina says
Bananas, cocoa, cinnamon, dates and almond milk. Thanks for the chance to win! 😀
Fran says
Yum!! Love the addition of cinnamon. Very smart and tasty and always in my smoothies! Good luck!
Kitty Von Tastique says
I love anything with raw protein powder, almond milk & chia!
Fran says
Do yo have a favorite brand of raw protein powder?
Becca says
Frozen banana, orange juice, almond milk, and frozen peaches.
Fran says
Your combo sounds refreshing and seasonal!
sarah says
anything with watermelon!
Fran says
I’m with you on the watermelon right about now. I love watermelon and lime!
Amber says
I love a good, green smoothie with lots of kale, some spinach, a banana and coconut water. It’s pretty plain jane, but does the job. Sometimes I get a little fancy with it and throw in some sunbutter or cacao nibs. ;]
Jen T. says
Anything with greens, berries and raw cacao powder.
Terri Cole says
I love a good green smoothie! One of my favorite combos is frozen cherries, frozen banana, almond milk, cocoa powder, chia seed, baby kale, maca powder, vanilla extract.
Barbara says
My favorite type of blended drink is a smoothie, i drink one for breakfast everyday. The one i like the most is made with blueberries, 1 frozen banana, maca powder & some drops of stevia 🙂
Greetings!
Heather B. says
While I admit that I enjoy the occasional summertime margarita (!!) in general my favorite blended drink would be a smoothie… so many types and so yummy!
Fran says
Oh we are soul sisters then. I enjoy margaritas and in fact, have a chocolate margarita ice cream in Vegan Chocolate.
Jacky says
My green smoothie – spinach, almondmilk, bananas, chia seeds, vanilla protein, cinnamon, and almond butter!
Fran says
Sounds good to me!
Priya says
I love to make a variety of smoothies, but I’m looking for new ideas. I make mine with non-dairy milk (I rotate different kinds, but I like almond the best), powdered green tea, Amazing Meal, kale, frozen bananas, frozen berries, and a small slice of ginger.
Jennifer Thompson says
Handful of almonds
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of cardamom
Dash of ginger
Some pineapple
Coconut yogurt any kind works.
Top it with milk substitute.
Fran says
Sounds brilliant!
Kimberly Read says
We do a lot of “random smoothies” at our house. I would love to have this book and have some great tasting recipes to go by.
Nolwenn says
My husband started making us smoothies for dinner lately, which I really enjoy.
For me, when I need sweetness and comfort, I love almond milk+almond butter+Medjool dates+vanilla+cinnamon+frozen banana 🙂
thanks for the chance to win the book.
Fran says
Nice husband!! Good luck!
marina says
Waiting on the arrival of my Vitamix !! People keep telling me it will rock my blending world! My quick hot summer day tiki hut smoothie. Cold Coconut water, coconut water ice cubes, fresh pineapples, oranges, lemon, lime,green apple, fresh ginger, chia seeds, hemp seeds,almonds. It I want it more smooth than slushy I add coconut yogurt. Thank you for the chance to win, Fran. Thanks, Tess for introducing me to Fran’s site! Looks delicious 😛
Fran says
Vitamix will change your life!! I’m glad you like my site. Stay tuned!! And good luck!
Farida says
I love apple, ginger, spinach and lemon…..feel better when I drink it.
Would love to win the book
Fran says
I can understand why you feel good after drinnking this mixture! Good luck!
Alison M says
My 4 year old son is fruit mad but having difficulty persuading him to eat most vegetables. I make a smoothie with avocado, spinach, beetroot, carrot and blend it with water and a bit of apple juice to make it more palatable. He loves drinking it and, as he helps me to make it sometimes, he’s also fully aware of what’s going in. The bright pink colour from the beetroot probably helps (his favourite colour)!
Fran says
Smart mama. One of my granddaughters didn’t want to eat veggies and her mom also did same as you.
Good luck!
Kristen M says
My go-to combo is spinach, pineapple, and mango.
Fran says
I’m about to have spinach, pineapple blueberry smoothie before Vegan Baking Boot Camp baking day 3! Maybe I’ll add some mango!
Karen D says
Strawberry banana smoothie
Fran says
Always good!
Margaux says
Is this open internationally? Anyway, the avenger looks so yum! My favourite blended drink is a smoothie with frozen cucumber, papaya and zucchini. Sometimes smoothies can be too overloaded with fruit so the frozen cucumber & zucchini help to balance it out. 🙂
Fran says
No, I am sorry but at this time it isn’t open internationally. Frozen Cucumber and zucchini sound interesting. I am going to try this!
Jenna O says
I love once with lemon or some other green elements and strawberries 🙂
Fran says
Me too!
Gemma says
Buying a powerful blender last year was one of my best decisions ever! I’ve been blending non-stop this summer, I love drinking fresh and healthy smoothies after an intense workout. 🙂
I did a simple mango-banana smoothie yesterday and it was delicious! 1 ripe mango, 2 medium ripe bananas, 2/3 cups nondairy milk and a small handful of ice cubes.
Fran says
I agree wtih you!
Nicollette D says
In the summer, anything with strawberries and lime.mmmm
Brenna says
We eat kale, coconut water, blueberries and protein powder! Even my 2 year old loves it.
Fran says
Nice when the young ones eat healthfully. My grandchildren love smoothies, even with kale!
Lisa says
Kale and spinach with banana, pineapple and green grapes. My 9 year old loves it and it’s the only way to get him to eat green vegetables.