Frozen Strawberry-Coconut Smoothie With Pomegranate Molasses

Fruity pomegranate molasses is the perfect sweetener for this thick strawberry smoothie.

This summer I bought a flat of strawberries, and soon afterward realized that they were going to go off before I had a chance to use them. So I hulled them and froze them in small freezer bags (a heaping cup, or 6 ounces, per bag), and now I’m using them for smoothies. When I was working on this smoothie I felt that it needed something to sweeten it, but what? I looked in my cupboard and saw a bottle of pomegranate molasses, and voilà! Now I know that pomegranate molasses, with its fruity, tangy yet sweet flavor, is perfect for red fruit smoothies of all kinds. This one is enriched with cashews, soaked in water for a few hours or overnight, chia seeds (also soaked), and oatmeal.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 2 to 3 tablespoons hot or boiling water (enough to just cover the oats)
• 1 heaping cup frozen strawberries (about 6 ounces)
• 1 tablespoon soaked chia seeds (1 teaspoon unsoaked)
• 6 cashews, soaked overnight or for several hours in water to cover (about 1/2 ounce) and drained
• ⅓ cup light coconut milk
• ⅔ cup fresh or commercial orange juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons pomegranate molasses

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (1 serving)

    380 calories; 15 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 54 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 32 grams sugars; 7 grams protein; 28 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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1 generous serving

Preparation

1. Combine the rolled oats and hot or boiling water in a small bowl or ramekin and leave until the oatmeal is soft, about 15 minutes (alternatively, soak in cold water overnight).
2. Place all of the ingredients (including the soaked oatmeal) in a blender and blend at high speed for 1 minute. Serve at once.

• To soak the chia seeds place in a jar or bowl and add 4 tablespoons water for every tablespoon of chia seeds. Place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The seeds and water will be become gelatinous but the smoothie you make with them will not be. To add to a smoothie, scoop up a tablespoon of the gelatinous mixture and add to the blender jar.