Green strawberry & basil smoothie

A refreshing green summer smoothie.

Contents

• 400–500 g strawberries
• 2 dl water or coconut water
• 4 tsp sugar or honey
• juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 dl fresh basil
• fresh peppermint for garnishing
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Use

• Basil

  Basil

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  Basil is best used for making pesto sauce. It goes perfectly with cheese, tomatoes, and garlic, for example in wonderfully delicious tomato and basil bruschetta. Basil is a versatile herb that can be used both fresh and dried in meat, fish, cheese or pastas. It is equally great in oven-baked dishes, pasta sauces, and a variety of salads. Also used for making flavoured oils. Note! When making hot meals, add fresh basil at the end, after cooking or boiling.

  Thanks to its valuable medicinal properties, Basil has long been regarded as a sacred plant in Asia and has also been used in temples in Europe. It contains a potent antiseptic essential oil that alleviates muscle cramps, supports heart function, and helps treat digestive disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Basil also relieves anxiety, insomnia, migraines, and chronic rhinitis! According to folk wisdom, basil even reduces discomfort caused by malignant tumours. In the Middle Ages, the sacred plant was widely known as a remedy against scorpion stings and the bites of venomous insects.

  Storage tips

  Basil should be stored in a relatively warm place. Ideal temperature is around 14 °C. For a longer shelf life, remember to water the plant. Avoid keeping basil in the refrigerator: temperatures below 10 °C will damage the leaves and cause them to turn black relatively quickly. You should also avoid crushing or squeezing the plant, e.g., when packed between other items in a shopping bag. This will cause the leaves to go brown and any snapped edges to quickly turn black. In the winter, place your store-bought basil plant in a separate bag or wrap it in paper to prevent cold damage during transport. And remember to take it out of the car once you get home, as sub-zero degrees will cause the plant to die. The most convenient way to store basil is to place it on the kitchen table in a decorative pot. This way, it is lovely to look at and will freshen the air with its wonderful aroma. Provided the plant is kept sufficiently moist, it will keep this way for a relatively long time.

• Peppermint

  Peppermint

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  The peppermint plant is commonly used for making aromatic peppermint tea. Fresh peppermint leaves are also used for flavouring and garnishing a range of desserts. Can be used equally well for seasoning meat dishes. Peppermint tincture has pain-relieving properties, reduces nausea and intestinal gas. Peppermint tincture can easily be prepared at home: just gather some peppermint flowers and leaves and soak them in vodka.

  Storage tips

  Peppermint is slightly easier to preserve than most other herbs, as long as you protect it from the cold and water it well. While not as delicate as basil, peppermint leaves will turn dark in cool conditions. To keep it fresh longer, ensure an even temperature: temperature fluctuations reduce the shelf life of the plant. The most convenient way to store peppermint is to place it on the kitchen table in a decorative pot. This way, it is lovely to look at and will freshen the air with its wonderful aroma. Provided the plant is kept sufficiently moist, it will keep this way for a relatively long time.

Preparation

Clean the strawberries, cut them in half. Purée all ingredients until smooth. Flavour with fresh peppermint, then sprinkle with the chia seeds.

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