Thai Lemongrass & Coconut Smoothie – P3 HCG Diet Smoothie Recipe

I only get a recipe inspiration once in a blue moon. My last smoothie inspiration, the P3 HCG diet Carob Vanilla Bean smoothie, was already a whole year ago! And, as usual, the inspiration came while taking a shower. I often take 2 showers a day because I just love hot water- you’d think with all those extra showers I’d come up with a smoothie recipe a little more than once a year sheesh!

Watch the video so you can see the funnest and all important part of this recipe:

I can’t get enough Thai food it seems, and this is a thai-inspired smoothie that uses lemongrass-infused ice cubes. It sounds cooler than it looks. The ice-cubes actually have this pale yellow cast to them when they’re done that look rather like….well you know. But that’s okay because not only do they sound good, using them in the smoothie tastes even better. Paradise in a mug right there.

Wheww! You made it to the end. Now how about that recipe?

Note: I’ve been asked where you can buy lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves- lemongrass you should be able to find at whole foods or cheaper at any local Asian market. The kaffir lime leaves are harder which is why I said they’re not necessary- they would be found at well stocked asian markets as well, or sometimes organic grocery stores that carry lots of ethnic stuff.

Lemongrass Ice Cubes

Like I said, I’d make a larger batch of this so I have plenty around.
4 cups water
6-8 stalks of lemongrass
optional: Kaffir lime leaves

Chop off ends of lemon grass and take off the outer 1 or 2 layers that yucky. Slice into rounds at an angle so that the essential oils can release easier. Pound with the backside of something heavy like a butcher knife. Simmer with the kaffir lime leaves (if you have them) in the 4 cups water with the lid ON for 20min-1 hour. Strain and pour into ice-cube trays. 4 cups of the liquid makes 2 trays worth.

Thai Smoothie with Lemongrass & Coconut

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
heaping 1/2 cup frozen mango
7-10 lemongrass ice cubes
1 serving protein powder of your choice
stevia or other no calorie sweetener to taste

Put it all in the blender and then….I think you know the rest.

A Few Recipe Notes:

– This is a very THICK smoothie which I was able to make using my vitamix- if you have a regular blender you should probably either reduce the number of ice-cubes, or add a little water so it’s not quite so thick.

– Depending on how big your ice-cubes are, even with something like a vitamix it might be best to start with 7 ice-cubes and then you can always add another 2 or 3 if it’s not thick enough for your liking.

– This isn’t QUITE as low carb as I would like to see for the beginning of phase 3 (nutrition stats below)- this is something I might save towards the latter half of P3 or I’d make sure that I didn’t eat any other carbs the rest of the day. You could also try swapping the frozen mango out for some frozen blueberries- a little lower carb/sugar than the mango. You could also probably try the smoothie without the frozen fruit entirely- probably be still pretty good as it’s quite creamy. For P4 you can do this anytime!