Fig Banana Smoothie

Breakfast is undoubtedly the most important meal of the day. It provides our body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast. It also kick-starts our metabolism which in turn helps in burning calories throughout the day. Busy mornings often compel many of us to skip this important meal of the day. But what if you have easy , no cook, healthy breakfast options like this Fig Banana Smoothie ? Smoothie made from dried figs and ripe banana is not only quick , delicious and creamy but very healthy too.

Dried fig or anjeer is easily available throughout the year and has numerous health benefits. Anjeer is rich in dietary fiber , prevents hypertension, cancer and heart disease. It cures iron deficiency, strengthens bones and is good for diabetes. Fiber in the figs may help you lose weight since it makes figs more filling , helping you eat fewer calories. The other ingredients which go in the smoothie are nuts like almonds and walnuts. Both these nuts contain healthy fats and contribute to their cholesterol lowering benefits. They're also rich sources of protein , fiber , iron and zinc. Banana contains several essential nutrients and benefits in digestion, heart health and weight loss. I have added little honey in the smoothie but it is purely optional as both banana and fig add to the sweetness of the smoothie. The walnuts give a buttery taste and crunchy bite to the otherwise creamy smoothie.

This fig banana smoothie is my first entry in the "Foodie Monday Blog Hop "  Now for my readers who do not know, let me brief you about this. Foodie Monday Blog Hop is a group of talented bloggers who share their delicious food recipes based on a particular theme on every Monday. Recently this group celebrated their 100th blog hop post and as a part of their celebrations they generously welcomed few new bloggers to their group. I am so happy to share my space with such talented and down to earth bloggers who believe in sharing their knowledge and passion for food with fellow bloggers. This blog hop is a chance for me to learn and grow as a blogger and challenge myself to think out of box and try and experiment on food based on new theme each week. The theme selected for this week is "Sawan Vrat Special Recipes". 

Sravan or sawan month of the Hindu calendar is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Mondays that fall during this month are considered very auspicious. Many people fast on Mondays during this month popularly known as "sawan somwar vrat" to get blessings of their deity. Fasting during sawan month has scientific reason also. Monsoon is at its peak during sawan month and there is less sunlight which makes the digestive system weak. Also during this season water borne disease spread rapidly. Devotees turn strict vegetarian and fast to detoxify the system. In my family we observe this fast strictly and have only milk and fruits during the day and open the fast after sunset with a satvik food (No onion garlic meal). But fasting does not mean we skip our breakfast. So whether you fast or not , do try out this easy yet delicious and healthy fig banana smoothie for your breakfast.

 Preparation Time: 15 minutes

 Cooking Time: Nil

 Serves : 2

Ingredients:

• 5-7 dried figs
• 7-8 almonds
• 1 large ripe banana , sliced
• 1/4 cup low-fat curd
• 1 cup cow milk 
• 2 teaspoon honey (optional)
• 2-3 walnuts 

Method:

1. Wash the dried fig and soak them in hot water along with almonds for 10-12 minutes. Alternatively you can soak the figs and almonds overnight in water at room temperature. Soaking is optional but it helps in softening the figs so that they can be blended easily. 

   2. Drain. Peel the almonds and chop the figs and put them in a blender. Pulse .

  3. Add sliced banana, followed by milk , curd and honey.

  4. Blend together until smooth for 2-3 minutes.

  5. Top the creamy fig banana smoothie with chopped walnuts and serve immediately.

  Notes:

• You can add dates also to the smoothie.
• Addition of honey is purely optional as figs and bananas both add in to the sweetness of this smoothie.
• You can use coconut milk or almond milk instead of cow milk and skip yogurt to enjoy this as a vegan banana fig shake,

 For more fasting recipes , do check my post on

• Dates and Nuts Ladoo
• Mango Coconut Fudge
• Kesar Badam Matka Kulfi
• Apple Rabadi
• Raw Banana Cutlets
• Makhane Ki Kheer
• Instant Peanut Coconut Ladoo
• Coconut Stuffed Banana
• Lauki Ki barfi / Rose Petal jam Flavored Bottle Gourd Fudge
• Sabudana Khichadi
• Meethe Makhane/ Caramelized Fox nuts
• Til Ki Burfi
• Sabudana Kheer
• Kalakand
• Lauki Ki Kheer
• Rasgulla
• Anjeer Khajoor Roll