Just a quick and simple one today -- this lovely smoothie happened when one of my favorite combos (blueberry basil) met one of my other favorite combos (blueberry tahini) the other day. So simple, so good, so relaxing. So purple!
This is one of those forgiving recipes that allows you to go different ways based on your preferences or what you have on hand -- like swapping out the tahini for cashew butter for example, or excluding the nut/ seed butter altogether for a slightly lighter version.
Adding a hint of lemon juice, or a dash of cinnamon, or raw vanilla bean is excellent in this too. Using coconut milk can be a n nice change over almond milk. Honestly you can't go too wrong improvising with a smoothie, so go on... ;)
Blueberry Tahini Basil Smoothie
Refreshing, vibrant dairy-free smoothie made with blueberries, tahini and basil. Ready in two mins, makes a perfect mid-afternoon snack. Gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Smoothies
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: Refreshment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup blueberries
- ½ tbsp hulled tahini
- a handful of fresh basil leaves
- optional: 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup to taste if your blueberries aren't sweet
Instructions
- Blend everything together until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste and enjoy!
Erin says
This was such a good recipe! I prepped them into freezer bags and looked forward to these every morning this past week!
Audrey says
So glad you've been enjoying this smoothie, Erin. Thanks for the lovely feedback! :)
Dana says
I am in awhhh of your receipes! Thank you for sharing your gift!!!
Audrey says
Thanks very much, Dana! :) Enjoy them.
Sue33 says
Wow this is excellent - so very tasty!! I used the newish, Original Unsweetened ripple , dairy free milk, it was SO delicious!!! Thanks for this recipe - different
Audrey says
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback, Sue! :) So happy you liked it.
Natalia says
Mmm, basil and blueberries? This sounds exotic and that color is to die for! Thanks Audrey, this recipe made me so curious!
Audrey says
It's so good together :)
Jo Ann says
Looks delicious, but not sure what hulled tahini is. Is it the same thing as a jar of tahini?
Daizy says
Hulled tahini will be a lighter colour as the sesame seeds will have had their outer husk removed. Sesame seeds that haven't been hulled are darker and have a stronger flavour, sometimes bitter which may be too strong in smoothies for some people.
Audrey says
Hi Jo Ann,
What Daizy said :)
Hulled tahini has a milder sweeter flavor, whereas unhulled (containing the husks of the sesame seeds) can have a more bitter taste. To differentiate them easily, hulled tahini is a lighter off-white color, whereas unhulled is darker and more brownish in appearance.
Renee says
Hi Audrey! Do you think subbing avocados for the tahini would taste good?
Audrey says
Hi Renee, I think it would -- basil-banana-blueberry-avo would make a delish combo. It would change the color though, but so long as you don't mind that it's all good.
Ashley says
I discovered the magic of the bloob-basil combo in smoothies a few years ago and I was blown away. I need to indulge in a lot more of these smoothies this summer, thanks for the reminder ;)
Audrey says
Hehe. Yep, same here. I think when I started growing my own basil it began to find itself in a lot places and blueberries + basil has been a favorite for me as well. Can't wait till summer :)
Tracy says
I just made this smoothie, and it was absolutely delicious! I never thought to put basil in a smoothie, but what a great combo! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, Tracy! :) I love basil + fruit combos. If you search the site for basil you'll find some more ideas, but some of my favorites to combine with basil are: strawberries, mango, pineapple, apples, peaches, figs, oranges... well pretty well most fruits get along with basil really well it seems :) Also basil + chocolate are great.
Casey the College Celiac says
I'm always scared to add more savory herbs or spices into my smoothies, but this looks and sounds fabulous!
Audrey says
Oh, but fresh basil is sooooooo good with most fruits. I find other herb combos a bit more adventurous, but basil is second nature. Just start small and you'll see -- before long it'll end up in everything ??
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Quick question! Am I actually supposed to drink it or just stare at it all day long? Because I would be perfectly happy doing either :D Your beautiful and always mysterious/moody styling makes this bright beverage pop extra intensely. The flavors sound so good too, although the cashew butter swap might just be too enticing for me to pass up! Love that stuff :)
Audrey says
Thanks, Nat :) I think I did a mixture of both and in the end even gave the smoothie a whole photoshoot ? because that's what you do these days when you make a smoothie, right?! ?