Today is Fat Tuesday, or “Fettisdagen”, as we say in Swedish. Because it is the last day before the lent (a period of fasting that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends before Easter Sunday), a tradition has developed of eating buns called “semla” in Sweden. During lent, many people commit to giving up certain luxuries as a form of repentance, like eating meat and other gluttony. Well, we guess that’s pretty much what we do every day, ha ha.

Traditionally, a Swedish semla consists of a cardamom-spiced wheat bun which has its top cut off. The bun is filled with a mix of milk, almonds and butter, topped with whipped cream. The cut-off top serves as a lid and is dusted with powdered sugar. Let’s just say, a traditional Swedish semla is fuel for the nasty bacteria in the colon. But if you follow this recipe instead, you don’t have to worry about that. This year, we feel like being a bit more creative, so we skip the bun and use our high speed blender instead.

Smoothie That Tastes Like a Swedish Semla
(2 large glasses or 4 small)

2 fresh dates
0.5 tsp cardamom seeds
2 green bananas
2 tbsp almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla powder
0.5 cup coconut milk + a few tablespoons of coconut cream for topping
2 cups water

Pit the dates. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the cardamom seeds into a fine powder. Mix all ingredients (not the water) in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy. Add water until you reach the perfect consistency. Pour the smoothie into two large glasses. Whip some coconut cream (easier if chilled) and spoon onto the top of each smoothie, and sprinkle some pure vanilla powder on top.

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