This popular Lebanese dessert turns peak summer fruit into an impressive layered smoothie

Cocktail shikaf is a popular Lebanese dessert packed with ripe summer fruit. Each variety gets blended with milk in separate batches to create an impressive layered smoothie, and pieces of chopped fruit are also added in between each layer to provide some texture and help keep the different parts from mixing. 

While the dish is often topped with clotted cream, my version calls for a blend of ricotta and honey alongside the traditional chopped fruit and nuts. Be sure to serve it with both a straw and spoon so you can enjoy every last bite. 

Ingredients

Avocado layer:

• 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
• ½ ripe banana
• 1½ cups whole milk or milk of choice
• 1 tbsp honey, or more to taste

Mango layer:

• 1 cup chopped mango
• ¾ cup whole milk or milk of choice

Strawberry layer:

• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• ½ ripe banana
• ½ cup whole milk or milk of choice
• 1 tbsp honey, or more to taste

To serve:

• 1½ cups chopped mixed fruit, such as strawberry, kiwi and mango
• ¼ cup ricotta
• 1 tbsp honey, plus more to drizzle
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts, such as pistachios or almonds

Preparation

Add the avocado layer ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and add more honey if desired. Divide the mixture between two 500-millilitre Mason jars or vessels. Place a spoonful of chopped fruit over the avocado layer.

Repeat this process with the mango and strawberry layers, adding a spoonful of chopped fruit between them in each jar.

Mix the ricotta and honey together in a small bowl. 

Top each smoothie with 2 to 3 tablespoons of ricotta, some nuts, more chopped fruit and a final drizzle of honey.

Serves 2 

Produced in collaboration with CBC Creator Network.