Mangoes and passionfruit make wonderful healthy fruity smoothies, says Clare Latimer

IF you want all the gossip in Primrose Hill then one of the best places to go is Yeoman’s fruit and veg shop in Regent’s Park Road.
Phil will give the low down on who, what and why and Nigel will put a smile on your face with one of the many jokes he keeps up his sleeve.
Until recently the shop had that well-used look and looked more like a farm shop from the depths of the countryside but after a quick revamp it is now one of the more trendy shops in the area painted in soft colours and pretty wicker baskets in which to collect your pickings. One of the best ways to cool down in the heat is with a fruit smoothie. They are delicious and nutritious.
They can also go toward your five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables a day.
The smoothies are made in a blender and you only add the pure ingredients but if using a juicer you add all the skin, cores etc and then it just squeezes out the raw juice.
While chatting to Harriet about her juicy drinks I noticed some grass growing in the corner and questioned this little green field. Wheatgrass.
Well, hearing that it had every mineral and vitamin you could ever need I imagined chatting to farmers growing acres of wheat and asking if I could chew their young shoots, but I gather it is not from the wheat that we known and even if you are gluten free this is still safe to try.
I was given a shot of this green liquid and warned that I would not find it a pleasant taste, but in fact, it was drinkable with a very sweet and slightly aniseed flavour.
Have a go. everything is worth trying once, especially if it is good for you. Do call in at Yeoman’s and after your drink you can then treat yourself to one of their very reasonably priced bunches of flowers along with the fruit and veg that has also tempted you on your way through the shop. And remember if you need cheering up, Nigel’s quips will be worth the trip!

Tropical Smoothie
This is one of Harriet’s favourite drinks but she has many more to choose from so come and see the choice on the blackboard and either try them there or buy the fruits and make it at home
Serves one drink

Ingredients
Half a ripe mango, peeled with the seed removed.
One passion fruit, halved and juice and pips saved;
Two tablespoons of
natural yoghurt;
200ml of milk;
One teaspoon of runny honey.

Method
Put all the ingredients into a blender along with three ice cubes and whiz for until light and fluffy. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

Juice drinks
Aniseed and mint drink.You will need a juicer to make these drinks otherwise you will just have to buy them!

Ingredients
One fennel bulb;
Three whole pears;
A small handful mint.

Method
Put all ingredients in to a juicer and then serve in a glass.

Cool as a Cucumber drink
Half a cucumber with the skin on.
Three sticks of celery, wiped.
One and a half green eating apples
A small handful of parsley.

Method
Put all the ingredients into a juicer and then serve in a glass.

Clare’s Kitchen
41 Chalcot Road
Primrose Hill, NW1
Tel: 020 7586 8433
www.clareskitchen.co.uk