The Kikicolada Smoothie Vegan & Gluten-free

Bonjour one and all!

It is Tasty Tuesday and that means recipe time!
Hot and hazy summer days are still here and I am on a 30-day liquid fast, that consists of special drinks, herbal tea’s steeped with fruits, freshly juiced juices, smoothies, and spring water.
Sadly, while trying to help a friend, I was re-exposed to toxic black mold by accident, for about 2 solid hours, back in June; and I have been paying for it ever since.
It means mold detox protocols, coping with health set backs, and a bit of a tough break but praying through it.
Won’t get into all that today, as I am here to post a scrumptious recipe which I am super psyched to share with you!
Turns out, I have a thing for pina coladas but as per usual, not a fan of alcohol, so I look for  healthier versions.
Unfortunately, so many I come across use coconut cream or coconut milk and I find it too rich and thick. There’s also major white sugar in most recipes that I cannot deal with, as it sets my autoimmune system into overdrive. I end up taking a sip or two and cannot finish it.
Such a sad, lonely, pina colada waste. Waaah waaah...
Good news though! Frustration and cravings seem to make for great creative companions, and in the end I chose to play in the kitchen and make my own version.
Yes, you can like pina coladas and getting caught in the rain Kiki!

                  I know, I found a pink coconut!

                    I do so love the rain, le sigh...

This recipe made me very happy indeed.
I got a great mild coconutty flavour that perfectly balanced with the pineapple. I used a small piece of avocado to give that richness one is used to in a colada, plus it gave some additional healthy fats.
I was thrilled to have come across some young coconuts whilst I was getting my food prep done, in order for this liquid fast fun!
Yes, it may seem odd but I do enjoy, and even look forward to the periods of fasting in my life. This time around I was really feeling the need to step back from eating and just get back to basics.

Here is the recipe, it made exactly one large mason jar with  a tablespoon or two leftover for taste testers in the local vicinity. There were none at my place so I got to enjoy it all! Mwuah hahahaha!

The Kikicolada

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup fresh young coconut meat
1 Cup fresh ripe pineapple
1/3 Cup fresh coconut water
1/3 Cup fresh pineapple juice
1/4 Cup spring water
1/4 Avocado ripe
1 small, ripe baby banana
1 Tbsp ground flax

Method:
-Blend all, serve over ice and enjoy immediately.

Side note: I used the juice from the pineapple that I bought that had already been cut, (I burned myself pretty badly recently and pre-cut is helping) there is always a good amount of that juice in the container and it tastes so good, do not waste it!

I hope you and yours really enjoy this recipe, it is a wonderful edition to those summer smoothies that brighten up any day.

Leave me your comments or questions down below, and if you try it, let me know how this recipe turned out for you.

Take care, be well, love freely...

Chef Kiki

Tajin Mango & Watermelon Salad

Salut!

Yes my loverlies, I have finally returned. Just in time for Tasty Tuesday!
It has been very rough this summer and I had to step back from everything, unfortunately, that included blogging. As we are in August and summer will soon be drawing to a close, I wanted to post something delectable, simple, and perhaps new for your taste buds!
Tajin was something I discovered recently in town.

I went to Oui Mango after running errands in the Alexis Nihon mall in the downtown core here in Montreal.
Here's an article link that talks more about these wonderful people who are working hard to share something delicious from another culture with all of us:
https://montreal.eater.com/2019/6/27/18761356/oui-mango-montreal-restaurant-opening-pizza-new-yorkaise-bibiko-minowis

When I am out and about, I have few pickings in the gluten free realm, especially when I am pressed for time and want something healthy but flavourful.  I had never heard of this before and the Chef in me went bonkers after my first bite. I took it in the traditional way, which uses three simple ingredients.
Fruit, Tajin seasoning and lime.
I watched it being prepared and realized I could re-create it with ease.
I don't live in town anymore and traveling for a zesty, spiced mango kick for 2 hours is not gonna happen.
I found the Tajin at our local Asian market where they have a well stocked section of products from Cuba, Mexico, and more.
It was $2.99 for the little shaker bottle. Coupled with a few mangoes and limes, I had a mini-tajin mango feast in the making for less than $10, to share, and scarf down.
As I was making the recipe and realized that I could totes throw in some watermelon I had in the fridge, to the mix.

Success!
I did a simple pic layout down below for you to see how to best cut the fruit. For those more skilled in the kitchen this may seem utterly ridiculous but not everyone is sure of themselves in culinary settings. I prefer to give too much info than not.

Enough blabbing, you came for fruity goodness and I shall deliver!

TAJIN MANGO & WATERMELON SALAD:

Ingredients:

1 Cup cubed cut fresh watermelon
1 /12 Cups cubed fresh mango
1 tsp Tajin spice mix (I add more but start with kess and add as you go after the lime juice because it can be a bit intense for some)
Juice of 1/2 lime fresh squeezed.

Method:

-In a bowl combine the fruit and sprinkle with the Tajin seasoning. Stir gently.

-Sprinkle fresh lime juice over top, mix gently. Add more Tajin seasoning if you like.

-Serve immediately or chill in fridge for 1 hour.

I had to taste test as I went along because what kind of a monster doesn’t do that before posting a recipe?!?

Feel free to omit either of the fruits, if you are allergic or don't like one of them.

Super refreshing and has a nice tart, limey, salty, sweet kick! You’re going to love it and so will those you serve it to.

On a little side note, my son prefers watermelon minus the tajin but liked the mango. My mother tried both and said they were good but watermelon was not as good as the mango. I enjoy both but choose which combo or single flavour floats your boat!

There will be some more gluten-free noms coming, so keep checking back! Perfect bites to sink your teeth into for the school year and upcoming fall season, here’s a sneak peek!

I love to hear from yah so leave your questions or comments down below.

Take care, be well, love freely.

Chef Kiki