KitchenTakeovers : Black Sesame Seed and Kale Smoothie

Initially I thought this wouldn't really work but I still wanted to try it out. If you have ever had black sesame seed ice-cream or porridge you know how delicious they are. I was scared the texture would turn out bitty and rough on the palate. But boy was I wrong! toasted black sesame seeds gave an amazing nutty, warm aroma and the dates offered up these wonderful caramel and hint of vanilla notes and sweeten the whole thing.

The one down side to this recipe - you will be left with bits of kale and black sesame seeds in your teeth. But it will be so worth it - Honest!!!

Sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium, this is said to be better absorbed if the seeds are crushed. This drink is full of fibre, and naturally sweetened by the dates. The kale will supply a hearty dose of iron and vitamin K with immune boosting, anti-cancer, antioxidant and detoxifying effects this smoothie is not only filling it will do your skin a world of good.

Vitamin *K, *B1, *Magnesium, *A, C, Copper, Phosphorus, Iron, B6, Potassium, Calcium, B3, Zinc, Selenium

B2, B5

Sodium

*over 200% RNI for adult per serving* beware of the high vitamin K (~557 mcg ) content if you are on blood thinning medication - you could reduce the amount of salad.

Now lets get to the good stuff!

Black Sesame Seed and Kale Smoothie

serves 1 as a meal

2 tablespoon gluten free porridge mix or other grain
2 tablespoon plain soy yoghurt or normal yoghurt
1/2 chopped frozen banana
100 ml unsweetened soy milk
1 cup fresh curly kale
3 dried dates soaked in 2 tablespoon water
2 tablespoon black sesame seeds toasted
pinch of salt (and I mean a pinch!)

Soak the 3 dried dates in 2 tablespoon of water, I did this overnight but you can leave them till softened. Put the porridge mix into a small bowl and add the 100 ml soy milk let it soak and soften for 10-15 minutes.

Add the toasted sesame seeds to the blender and blend - it will look like this.