Did you know – today is “World Nutella Day″ (the ninth instalment!)? Created by Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso World Nutella Day is a day to celebrate, get creative with, and most importantly, eat Nutella.
This is my sixth year participating in World Nutella Day – in 2010 I made a Nutella cheesecake, in 2011 I made Nutella lamingtons, in 2012 I went French with Nutella macarons craquelés, in 2013, I made Nutella truffle pops. and last year, I made a flourless hazelnut-chocolate Nutella-inspired cake.
This year, I’m bringing you a simple smoothie. No it doesn’t contain Nutella (that would be way too simple!) but it is chocolatey and hazelnutty and it’s been a bit of a savior over the past few weeks as I have not had much appetite through my neverending sinus infection and rounds of antibiotics. It’s definitely Nutella-like and the bonus is that it makes a GREAT afternoon/ after school snack.
Ever since I was a schoolgirl, “after school” time (between 3pm and 6pm) has been the time when I feel the hungriest. If left to my own devices, I might be tempted to eat cookies, cake or, you know, Nutella out of the jar, because, quite frankly, that’s what I feel like after school. Sadly, those are not the best choices so these days, it’s more likely to be a piece of fruit and a yoghurt (which are also delicious, just not quite the same!). A little bit of protein around that time will keep me going until dinner.
Every now and then, though, I’ll still treat myself to a hot chocolate or a smoothie – this one works a treat for keeping me full and satisfies my sweet tooth at the same time. I’ve had this a number of times after school over the past few weeks and it’s been great – the sweetness of the cocoa powder is just enough and the protein in the hazelnut meal keeps me satisfied. It’s a perfect treat to whip up in a single serve blender too.
- 1 cup milk of your choice (I use skim but feel free to use a dairy-free alternatives)
- 10g (2 tablespoons) sweetened cocoa powder
- 15g (4 tablespoons) hazelnut meal (ground hazelnuts)
- Optional: cacao nibs and whole hazelnuts for topping
- Blend milk, cocoa powder and hazelnut meal until well-combined.
- Top with a sprinkle of cacao nibs and 3-4 hazelnuts if desired.
Happy World Nutella Day! How will you celebrate?
Follow the conversation online – check out @NutellaDay and #nutelladay on Twitter and get all your Nutella news at the World Nutella Day site.
Gosh, I cannot remember the last time I actually HAD Nutella!
Must get some for morning toast, perhaps…
Right but if it’s in the house, I will just eat it from the jar!
National Nutella Day!! (Did you hear the trumpets blare? No? Just in my head again; sorry to be a bother. I shall celebrate with a jar and a spoon!
The best way!
You know, I’ve had nutella maybe ONCE. Something I should probably correct… I also need to use more hazelnuts in my smoothies. Sounds delicious and obviously I’m smitten with the cacao nib garnish.
I think homemade nutella would be right up your alley! And yes, garnish for the win!
We’ve always got a jar of Nutella in the pantry.
It spites the food police and food puritans and, besides, I like it.
Everything in moderation, right?
I am still a “Nutella out of the jar girl”, Old habits die hard.
It’s totally your fault that I cannot buy jars of the stuff!
Do not care one iota if there is no Nutella in this. It has chocolate and is has hazelnuts and it’s perfect for me!
Hoping you feel better soon Mardi.
Yeah and this is a lot healthier, if that’s something you think about! I love this version of grownup Nutella chocolate milk!