This savory sun-dried tomato smoothie is really delicious. This is ostensibly a gazpacho, and makes an awesome breakfast.

My friend Katy recently discovered she has an intolerance to garlic. I secretly wept on her behalf, As devastating as I found this piece of news, (you’ll be pleased to know that the violins in my head have just stopped) it prompted me to remember that there would be others in the same predicament.

So, I’ve developed this sun-dried tomato smoothie that doesn’t contain any garlic, ginger, or onion. But instead, relies on some chile pepper, a splash of lime juice, and the creaminess of some avocado to jazz things up. I can already see some of you rolling your eyes lamenting, “we forgot to mention no chile!” Don’t despair. You can omit the chile and still enjoy the flavor of this smoothie. I just enjoy the extra kick.

When we make green smoothies, we often neglect to include luscious green herbs like parsley, basil, and cilantro. I use these herbs almost daily in all kinds of soups, stews, stir-fries, salads, and other savory dishes. Throwing them into green smoothies is another way to enjoy these flavorful and nutrient-dense herbs.

Besides tasting fantastic, cilantro is loaded with vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, iron, magnesium and manganese. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber. Cilantro also contains beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidants, especially the flavonoid quercetin, making it fantastic for neutralizing free radicals.

This smoothie is a delicious way to get to a big dose of fresh cilantro into your system. It tastes fantastic, too. Bottoms up!

Find more delicious smoothies in The Blender Girl Smoothies app.

*Probiotic Powder – I add 1/2 teaspoon of probiotic powder to all smoothies to replenish stores of healthy bacteria for immunity, digestion, detox, and to balance the acidic effects of high-sugar fruits and other sweeteners. The really potent probiotics require refrigeration. If you have capsules, break the shell and release the powder. Unsweetened probiotic-rich liquids like kefirs (water, coconut water, milk varieties) or kombucha make wonderful health-promoting additions to shakes, too.

*Celtic Sea Salt – I add a pinch (or more) of this alkalizing, mineral-rich salt to all smoothies to boost the natural flavor of fruits and veggies; temper the acidity of sweet fruits and sweeteners; stimulate the lymphatic system; replenish electrolytes; aid digestion; and help the body access energy. I do not recommend adding common table salt which is generally heated to extreme temperatures, iodized, bleached, processed, and refined. This salt does not have the same benefits. If you have a health condition that requires you to limit your sodium intake consult your doctor before adding salt to your smoothies.