Tomato is one the most common fruit/vegetable in the world. It is loaded with vitamins, anti oxidants and lots of health benefits.
I love tomato, and can eat it all day; Raw, baked, pureed, in stews or in soups. But my favorite form of enjoying it, is in a smoothie, sandwich or salad.
This is actually one of my ”go-to drinks” whenever I’ve had a stressful, weather-beaten week, and it seems to work wonders for my skin tone.
So here’s my easy tomato smoothie recipe.
Ingredients
Makes a glassful
– 2 fresh tomatoes
– 3 African basil (nchawun/efirin) leaves
– 1 teaspoon coconut oil(see how to make coconut oil at home)
– Orange juice/pineapple juice(to taste)
Steps
1. Wash and scrub the tomatoes thoroughly with salt or baking soda to get rid of pesticides on the skin. Slice into chunks and then wash the basil leaves.
Place the tomatoes and the leaves into a blender, add a little water and grind into a puree.
2. Pour the pureed mixture through a clean muslin cloth placed over a sieve.
3. Now pour the extract into a small pot, add the coconut oil and boil on low heat for 2 minutes and leave to cool completely.
4. Pour into a glass cup, add orange juice or pineapple juice to taste and enjoy.
Tips:
I boiled the tomato puree and added oil because the antioxidant (lycopene) in tomatoes, which works as a cancer-fighter, is fat soluble and better absorbed by the body if the tomato is heated.
African basil (nchawun/efirin) is a healing herb that also helps to boost metabolism and aids bowel movement.
Health benefits of Tomatoes
– Tomatoes contain vitamins A and C which are great for the eyes and boost immunity.
– Tomatoes when eaten fresh, has been shown to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure.
– Tomato also contains a cancer fighting anti-oxidant known as lycopene.
– Tomatoes can also be used directly on the skin, as an astringent to reduce facial oil and also for brighter skin.
For more info on Tomatoes click here
Here are other drinks and smoothies you might like
* Zobo Drink: How to make Zobo (Zoborodo
* Nigerian Chapman : How to Make Chapman (Nigerian special cocktail)
* Health Benefits of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina)
* Tiger Nuts Milk | Ofio Milk | Kunun Aya ”Horchata de Chufas”
Hello ma I would like to have ur email address. Tnx ma
Good job dear. In the absence of Efinrin, is there any other leaves one can use? bcos I can't get it here. Can I use mint leave as a substitute? Thanks for your reply
Yes dear, you can use mint leaves as a substitute 🙂
Pls wich coconut oil did u add? Is it extracts from coconut or dose local coconut oil dat is been used for d body
Edible coconut oil, which can also be used for body, but in the absense of that feel free to use extra virgin olive oil.
can i drink the blended tomatoes alone with Efinrin? and without heating the puree?
yes you can.
I will definitely try this. During a health talk at work, we were also told tomatoes are very good for the prostrate (for men).
Yes they are 🙂
We used to drink basil leaf juice wen I was in naija, I'll have to try this combo, my skin needs some love.
Ok dearie, keep me posted 🙂
I am a big fan of your bitter leaf juice and green juice , they work wonders on me. I recently started preparing zobo too without sugar(just as you advised me by email) and now I say bye bye to cocacola.I'll surely try this one too and keep you posted.
Thanks for the feedback dearie 🙂
Oh my goodness. Zobo i missed this. Bitter leaf drink asin onugbu?www.simplyuneeke.com
Yes my dear, as in onugbu..lol.. the bittter leaf drink is bitter oo, but worth a try 🙂