Smoothies are the ultimate food. They’re packed with vitamins and nutrients, they give you energy, and they taste AWESOME. If you’re pressed for time, a big smoothie makes a great breakfast or lunch, and it really fills you up and keeps you full for a while.

You might think a blender is essential for successful smoothie making, but I’ve used my food processor on countless occasions and been just fine. Until recently, I believed that the Perfect Smoothie was strawberry-banana, with a thick (though not lumpy) texture and a little yogurt and milk thrown in for good measure.

Two days ago, though, I discovered a new Perfect Smoothie, and I am now convinced that nothing can beat it. It is criminal that I should keep this new recipe to myself, so I am sharing it with CC’s readership so that every one of you can also make yourselves delirious with enjoyment over this particular smoothie.

It’s easy: you just need one banana, half a mango (peeled and roughly chopped), a little over half a cup of milk, a tablespoon of heavy cream, half a teaspoon of sugar, and one ice cube. Read More »

Even though I totally admire them, I could never be a vegan. At least not now. Not while most of my diet consists of string cheese and other such cheap, processed things.

But I have friends who are vegans. Friends who are vegans and great cooks. So one night, these great-cooking-vegan friends of mine made this tart. And it was freaking fabulous. And so I want to share it with you.

Here’s what you need:

INGREDIANTS:

Crust:
* 2 1/4 cups raw slivered almonds
* 3/4 cup of pitted medjool dates
* 1/4 teaspoon salt Read More »