Minimal Monday: Blood Orange and Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie

I made more homemade yogurt over the weekend.  Every time I spoon a creamy new batch into its glass storage jar I start thinking about all the possibilities.  Yogurt is beautiful. When it's homemade, and allowed to thicken as it drains through a couple of layers of cheesecloth, it's got to be one of the most luxurious foods on earth.

I eat it plain, with granola and honey, I bake with it, eat it alongside spicy Indian curries, and use it in everything from cool summer soups to Middle Eastern dips.  But this morning I think I'll pair it with the jewel of winter citrus, the blood orange, enrich it with some oats and wheat germ, and drink it.

Truth is, I've never been much of a smoothie person, especially for breakfast.  Cold drinks, no matter how rich and full of flavor, have never quite done it for me first thing in the morning.  I don't even drink orange juice for breakfast, I just cling to my hot steaming cup of coffee.  But this smoothie is a little different.  It's not icy cold, and it's got a little more substance thanks to the oats and the wheat germ.  It's the liquid version of my favorite way to eat yogurt.  And here's a cool trick---you can make this the night before, and it will actually thicken up in the fridge over night. You can eat it with a spoon the next morning!  (The oatmeal does it.)

Blood oranges come in a range of colors from deep sanguine red to a mottled bright orange.  You never know until you slice one open what you've got.  Cut off one end, then use a paring knife to slice off the rind.  Thickly slice the flesh, and pick out any seeds.

Blood Orange and Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie
1/2 cup Greek style yogurt
1 cup blood oranges, peeled, sliced and seeded
1 Tbsp rolled oats
1 Tbsp wheat germ
1 Tbsp honey

• Blend everything together in a blender.

Notes:  You can drop the oatmeal into the blender first to grind it very fine if you want less texture.  Also, unlike frozen fruit smoothies, this one can be made ahead and refrigerated.  It won't separate, and thanks to the oatmeal, it actually thickens as it sits.

Have a healthy week!

PS---If you want to see lots of creative smoothies, visit my friend Mary's blog, Barefeet in the Kitchen and type 'smoothie' into the search bar!

One year ago today---

Homemade Tahini