A vibrant yellow-green smoothie served in a tall, clear glass topped with a few dark chia seeds. The rim of the glass is lightly dusted with ground star anise. A twig of fresh fennel leaf carelessly pokes out of the glass. A rustic, textured tablecloth beneath the glass adds a slight color contrast.

Fennel and Star Anise Fusion Smoothie

Name: Fennel and Star Anise Fusion Smoothie
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Fresh Fennel Bulb, 1 small thinly sliced; Star Anise, 1 pod; Ripe Banana, 1 large; Fresh Orange, 1 large peeled, seeds removed; Honey, 2 tablespoons or to taste; Chia Seeds, 1 tablespoon; Ice cubes, Handful; Filtered water, 1 cup

Category Smoothie

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 0 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Blending

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: April 25, 2024

Taking inspiration from the complex flavors of Chinese cuisine and featuring the aromaticness of Fennel, this smoothie will warm you up on a chilly day, while providing a spring-like freshness. Star anise will lend a subtle licoricy flavor that complements the fennel beautifully, mingling with the sweetness of ripe bananas and tanginess of orange. Lastly, a touch of honey for sweetness and a sprinkle of chia seeds for a health boost makes it perfect for any day!

Ingredients (for 2)

Fresh fennel bulb - 1 small - thinly sliced
Star anise - 1 pod
Ripe banana - 1 large
Fresh orange - 1 large - peeled, seeds removed
Honey - 2 tablespoons - or to taste
Chia seeds - 1 tablespoon
Ice cubes - Handful
Filtered water - 1 cup

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔪🍌🍊

Combine the fennel slices, banana, orange, honey, ice cubes and water in a blender.
Step 2 - 🌟🔨👃

Crush the star anise pod lightly to release its flavor and add it to the blender.
Step 3 - ⚡️🌀🥣

Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4 - 🥛🥛🏋️

Pour the smoothie into two tall glasses.
Step 5 - 🍾🌱😋

Sprinkle with chia seeds and garnish with a sprig of fresh fennel. Serve immediately.

Additional

A quick tip: replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar as vegan alternatives. To make this smoothie even more interesting, you can try adding a dash of fresh ginger for extra warmth or a handful of baby spinach for a green booster.