Friday, April 25, 2025

A smoothie made with almond milk is a nutrient-rich way to start the day or keep you going through the mid-afternoon slump. The combination of almond milk, cocoa powder and oats makes this a delicious and heart-healthy tummy filler. To wake up your tastebuds with some minty freshness, try the chocolate mint variation.

Makes 2 servings
Ingredients:
1 medium banana
4 dried dates
2 tbsp (30 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup (175 mL) large flake oats
2 cups (500 mL) So Nice Almond Original organic almond beverage
½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
For a Chocolate Mint Almond Smoothie:
Add ¼ cup (60 mL) fresh coarsely chopped mint leaves, or a dash of mint extract.
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a blender. Pulse until smooth and creamy. Serve right away.

This fresh and flavourful salad is a vegan-friendly vegetarian protein superstar. Cooked in organic almond beverage, the naturally nutty flavour of the quinoa is enhanced, and the vibrant combination of fresh herbs and lemon makes this salad a favourite side dish that will compliment any meal.

Makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
1 cup (250 mL) quinoa
2 cups (500 mL) So Nice Almond Unsweetened almond beverage
1 lemon
¼ cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup (60 mL) lemon juice
½ tsp (2 mL) black pepper, freshly ground
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
½ cup (125 mL) fresh parsley
½ cup (125 mL) fresh dill
¼ cup (60 mL) fresh chives
¼ cup (60 mL) fresh basil
2 green onions
¼ cup (60 mL) toasted flaked almonds (optional)
Directions:
1. Rinse the quinoa in water and drain well. In a small saucepan, set over high heat, bring the quinoa and So Nice to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a low simmer and cook, uncovered (to avoid foaming) until all the So Nice is absorbed, about 15 to 18 minutes, watching so that it doesn’t burn. Set aside to cool.
3. Grate the zest of lemon and place in a large bowl together the olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and salt. Finely chop the parsley, dill, chives and basil, and finely slice the green onions. Place prepared

So Nice cucumber avocado soup

Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
2 large avocado
1 English cucumber
1 green pepper
4 green onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup (125 mL) fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
2 limes, juice only
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
½ tsp (2 mL) black pepper, ground
¼ tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper
3 cups (750 mL) So Nice Almond Unsweetened organic almond beverage
¼ cup (50 mL) toasted almond flakes (optional)
Directions:
1. Remove and discard seeds and skin from avocados, then cut avocados into chunks. Peel cucumber, then slice in half, lengthwise. Using a small spoon, remove seeds from cucumber and discard, then coarsely chop cucumber. Remove stem and seeds from pepper and coarsely chop. Slice onions into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place avocado, cucumber, green pepper, onions, garlic and cilantro or parsley into the bowl of a food processor or blender and process until smooth and creamy. Add lime juice, salt, pepper and cayenne to mixture and pulse until well combined.
3. Pour avocado mixture into a large bowl and stir in So Nice.
4. Store soup in a jar with a lid and refrigerate if serving cold, or pour into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat and serve right away- do not boil.