SPICED ORANGE WINTER SMOOTHIE + A COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY (R, V+, P, NF, GF, GrF, ChF)
QUICK, EASY, VEGAN Part 2 - Hi everyone! As I mentioned in last week's blog post, I'll be sharing some quick and easy vegan recipes on the blog between now and the end of the year just cuz we're all SO busy in the run up to Christmas and the last thing we need is to be stuck in the kitchen, am I right?!
Apart from sharing the recipe for this delicious, healthy and seasonal spiced orange smoothie with you today, I'm also hosting a giveaway of a cookbook entitled NEW YORK CHRISTMAS. It was written by food bloggers and food photographers Liz and Jewels whose lovely recipes will surely get you into the Christmas spirit! Now before you get to hear about how YOU can win yourself a copy, shall I tell you a bit about what the book is like?
SO WHAT'S THE COOKBOOK LIKE...
The book transports you to the streets of New York, which does Christmas like no other city in the world, and showcases all the Christmas recipes it's known for like bagels, pancakes and cornbread.
NEW YORK CHRISTMAS is divided into 5 major chapters including Christmas baking, winter brunch, Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve food. It also includes lots of stories connected to the city, so even if you're not in the mood for cooking, you can still pick up the book and get stuck in.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE COOKBOOK INCLUDE...
I LOVE New York and so for me, personally the best part of the book is the gorgeous photography of the Big Apple. It's unusual to see such amazing travel photography in a cookbook and I really appreciate it. You just feel like hopping on a plane and having a bagel and hot drink in a New York city coffee shop OR like baking some bagels yourself right away. It's wonderful :).
WHAT YOU NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF....
This is not a vegan cookbook, though most of the recipes lean towards being vegetarian (NEW YORK CHRISTMAS's focus is on baked goods), there are still some meat dishes contained within the book. Hence if that's something that makes you uncomfy then skip this giveaway. In turn if you LOVE baking or know someone who would like to up their baking game in 2018 and would like this book as a gift, then enter the giveaway cuz it's perfect for you.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY...
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED! All you need to do for a chance to win is tell me: What is your favourite holiday season tradition? But please be quick with your answers, entry to this giveaway closes at midnight (Greenwich Time) on Monday, December 4th, 2017. The winner will be picked and notified within a week of the closing date.
Please note that this competition is open to UK residents only. Therefore, I'd be super grateful if you can be clear when you comment whether you live in the UK or not. And even if you don't, please still feel free to let me know about your favourite holiday traditions. As always I'm super interested to read your answers no matter where you live. Good luck everyone! THE WINNER IS ANDREA! CONGRATULATIONS!
Thanks for reading.
Recipe below :).
SPICED ORANGE WINTER SMOOTHIE RECIPE
Wish I could tell you that this recipe is my creation, but it isn't. I adapted it from Liz and Jewel's cookbook NEW YORK CHRISTMAS. It's a light, fresh and vegan take on Christmas. So hope you like it.
Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS:
4 oranges, peeled and pips removed
1-2cm (1/2 - 3/4 inch) of fresh ginger to taste
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
250ml coconut or almond milk
2-3 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp cinnamon
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
6 small ice cubes
orange or clementine slices for garnish
a sprinkle of chia seeds for extra goodness
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fillet the oranges by peeling them first and then - with a sharp knife - remove the individual segments leaving as much of the bitter white part behind. Place the orange segments together with the ginger, vanilla, milk, maple syrup and cinnamon in a high speed blender. Add the ice cubes if using and blend until combined. Serve immediately and garnish with a slice of mandarine or orange if you wish. Enjoy!
Tip 1: You can use 2 regular and 2 blood oranges, then blend them separately to create a 2-tone smoothie. That's what I did!
Tip 2: This smoothie should also work well with madarine. Use about 500g (1lb) worth of fruit and again try and avoid using the white section as it makes the smoothie bitter.
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