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    Home / Recipes / Course / Breakfast

    6 Jan 28, 2015 Breakfast  |   Jump to Recipe

    Orange Carrot Chia Smoothie

    Last year, I couldn’t get enough of chia pudding. Β This year, my new obsession is the chia smoothie. Β Cold, creamy, and easy-to-prepare, this healthy breakfast beverage is packed with big, bright flavors.

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Orange Carrot Chia Smoothie

    My Orange CarrotΒ Chia Smoothie starts with a base of hydrated chia seeds, 2 tablespoons of seeds in 1 cup of orangeΒ juice. Β This base is then blended with chopped carrot, almond milk ice cubes, almond butter, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Β The chia seeds thicken the drink while adding major nutrients, including fiber, protein and calcium. Β The texture is smooth and silken, and the taste is reminiscent of an orange creamsicle. Β  A well-balanced, incredibly delicious orange creamsicle! Β I actually debated calling this drink the Orange Creamsicle Chia Smoothie. Β Or the Easiest-Way-To-Down-A-Bunch-Of-Carrots Chia Smoothie. Β The carrot flavor hangs out in the background, adding just the right amount of vegetal sweetness. Β It’s seriously tasty. Β Continue reading for the recipe.

    Citrus Juice and Chia Seeds

    Carrots

    The flavors for this recipe were inspired by my weeklyΒ Specialty Produce Farmer’s Market Box (FMB). Β I’ve been getting these boxes since July of last year, and I just love the random assortment of gorgeous produce available each week. Β Here’s a photo of last week’s box:

    http://instagram.com/p/yLGWT3mDxW

    Contents included:

    Broccoli – Life’s a Choke Farm
    Medjool Dates – Wynola Flats
    Endive Romanesco – Coastal Organics
    Meyer Lemons – Polito Farms
    Red Hydro Romaine – Sundial Farm
    Purple Carrots – Black Sheep Produce
    Yellow Onion – Jaime Farms
    Cara Cara Oranges – Lee Farm
    Amarosa Fingerling Potatoes – Weiser Family Farms
    Green Kohlrabi – Kong Thao

    I also got some Vanilla Blood OrangesΒ from their Farmer’s Choice program. Β The citrus in the box was particularly inspiring: Cara Cara Oranges (a mix of an orange and a grapefruit), Meyer Lemons (a mix of a lemon and a mandarin orange), and Vanilla Blood Oranges. Β For this recipe, I hydrated the chia seeds in a mix of these three juices, but I also tested this recipe with just one juice. Β All variations wereΒ delicious,Β so I would recommend that you use whatever citrus you have on hand.

    If you only have boxed orange juice (vs. freshly squeezed), you may want to omit the honey here, because boxed juicesΒ can be a bit on the sweet side. Β Adjust flavors at the end by adding more honey or lemon juice.

    Soaking Chia Seeds

    Almond Milk Ice Cubes

    Normally, I make my chia smoothies with part frozen fruit to cool down the drink without watering down the flavor (ice cubes do that). Β For this chia smoothie in particular, all the produce is fresh, so I decided to freeze the almond milk component. Β Each batch gets eight 1 oz. cubes (1 cup of almond milk) made with this ice cube mold. Β Perfect temperature. Β No flavor loss. Β I like to make these flavored ice cubes in big batches, so I can always have them at-the-ready for my morning smoothies.

    Orange Carrot Chia Smoothie

    Orange Carrot Chia Smoothie

    by Brandon Matzek
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 2 smoothies

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
    • 1 cup orange juice (I used a mix of orange and meyer lemon juice here, but just orange works well too)
    • Scant 2 cups (8 ounces) peeled and sliced carrots
    • Juice of 1/2 lemon
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 1 tablespoon almond butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Small pinch of kosher salt
    • 1 cup (8 ounces) almond milk ice cubes

    Instructions
     

    • Place chia seeds and orange juice in a small bowl, whisking to combine. Let sit for 20 minutes, whisking occasionally,
    • Add the hydrated chia seeds with juice to the container of a blender along with all other ingredients. Blend until smooth. Taste and add more honey or lemon juice as needed.

    I like to enjoy one smoothie immediately, and save the other one (in the fridge) for an afternoon snack. Be sure to drink both smoothies within 24 hours. Flavors will get muddy after that.

      Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

      If you live in San Diego, and you’d like to order your own Specialty Produce Farmer’s Market Box, check out options here. Β I’ve also got 2 other recipes on Kitchen Konfidence that use produce from my weekly FMB:

      Rainbow Chard Soup

      Rainbow Chard Soup

      Fig Cakes with Vanilla Glaze

      Fig Cakes with Vanilla Glaze

       

      6
      Brandon and Federico
      Brandon

      I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

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      Categories: Breakfast Tags: almond butter, almond milk, blood orange, chia seeds, cinnamon, honey, kosher salt, lemon, meyer lemon, orange, vanilla

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

        January 28, 2015 at 11:21 am

        This just looks so healthy and yet hearty with the carrots and almond butter and honey and I love the color! Makes me want one now!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:20 pm

          Thanks Averie. It’s super healthy!

          Reply
      2. June Burns says

        January 28, 2015 at 11:57 am

        That looks fab! So creamy and colorful, I’m sure it tastes great too πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:23 pm

          Thanks June πŸ™‚

          Reply
      3. Holly - FMITK says

        January 28, 2015 at 2:18 pm

        5 stars
        I’ve never done anything with chia seeds. Now I’m inspired!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:24 pm

          You need to try them out! Such an interesting ingredient. They’ve got major nutritional value with minimal calories, and they can be used to thicken things.

          Reply
      4. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says

        January 29, 2015 at 4:39 am

        this is one luxurious looking smoothie..i love the idea of orange and carrots together.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:25 pm

          Thanks Dixya :)!

          Reply
      5. Salt & Wind says

        January 29, 2015 at 2:20 pm

        5 stars
        This is absolutely beautiful! Those purple carrots are gorgeous. I’ve had my fill of chia oatmeal & pudding and this is an awesome way to utilize chia seeds!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:25 pm

          Thanks Aida! Definitely a tasty alternative to chia pudding.

          Reply
      6. Billy says

        January 29, 2015 at 4:41 pm

        so much yes to those almond milk cubes. and obvs this smoothie.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:26 pm

          Thanks Billy ;)!

          Reply
      7. Caroline says

        January 30, 2015 at 3:46 pm

        How have I not found you earlier? Your blog is gorgeous! I can’t wait to spend some time browsing! THIS smoothie sounds delicious. I love the combination of carrots and orange. I think the orange balances out the earthiness of the carrots perfectly. Pinning now!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:26 pm

          Thanks so much Caroline! Glad you like Kitchen Konfidence.

          Reply
      8. The Food Hunter says

        February 2, 2015 at 11:05 am

        The color of this drink is amazing. Nothing like fresh squeezed!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:27 pm

          I agree! Love freshly squeezed citrus juice.

          Reply
      9. [email protected] says

        February 2, 2015 at 11:23 am

        Aren’t the colored carrot bunches the most beautiful! I love using the carrot tops and making pretty photos with them. And this smoothie, I am all over it.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:27 pm

          Yes, the colors make me smile πŸ™‚ Thanks Fabiola!

          Reply
      10. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

        February 2, 2015 at 11:28 am

        I need to grab some chia seens! I also need to look into a local service that does Farmer’s Market Boxes!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:28 pm

          You should definitely check it out. These weekly Farmer’s Market Boxes have really helped me grow creatively!

          Reply
      11. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

        February 2, 2015 at 1:15 pm

        Unbelievably pretty! Great idea to make the almond milk cubes. And I do the hydrated chia, too, only I hydrate in water in a jar and keep it in the fridge.

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          February 2, 2015 at 2:29 pm

          Great idea Dorothy! How long do they last in the fridge?

          Reply
      12. Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says

        February 2, 2015 at 3:58 pm

        Looks so fresh, and i love that you used rainbow carrots πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:43 pm

          Thanks Gerry! They are quite pretty πŸ™‚

          Reply
      13. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

        February 2, 2015 at 6:56 pm

        I need to have more chia seeds in my life. This looks like a great way to start. Such a great color too!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:42 pm

          Thanks Erin!

          Reply
      14. She Rocks Fitness says

        February 3, 2015 at 8:13 am

        Love adding chia seeds to my smoothies…I’m also currently liking adding hemp hearts. This smoothie looks refreshing, healthy, and of course beautiful. Love the color!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:42 pm

          Oooo, I’ll have to give that a try! I think I saw them at Costco.

          Reply
      15. Martha @ A Family Feast says

        February 10, 2015 at 7:26 am

        What a gorgeous smoothie! We have a bag of chia seeds in our cabinet and all of the other ingredients too! I think I just found lunch!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:41 pm

          Excellent! Thanks Martha πŸ™‚

          Reply
      16. Kristina says

        February 10, 2015 at 9:07 am

        I am all about the blood oranges right now… and smoothies are my mid morning JAM πŸ˜‰ I will have to try this one, thank you!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:41 pm

          I just got a really good bunch of blood oranges. Such a deep color. Definitely give this a try!

          Reply
      17. Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says

        February 10, 2015 at 5:25 pm

        Smoothies are my jam and since it’s total flu season right now, this vitamin-C packed recipe is right up my alley. I love adding chia to my smoothies since it helps to make them thicker (with a little added protein). So good!

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:40 pm

          Yes!! This smoothie is packed with flu-fighting goodies. I managed to dodge the flu this season (so far), and I’m thinking it’s because of all the smoothies I was drinking. Thanks!

          Reply
      18. Ashley (QLCC) says

        February 10, 2015 at 8:07 pm

        What a gorgeous juice! Looks tasty, too πŸ™‚

        Reply
        • Brandon Matzek says

          March 3, 2015 at 4:28 pm

          Thanks Ashley!

          Reply

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      Brandon and Federico

      I'm Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Read More…


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