Eat your greens. That's what the doctor (and our mama) says. We all know that dark leafy greens work wonders in our bodies. However, they are the last thing we reach for when that sweet tooth kicks in. Until today. You can in get your greens while satisfying your craving for something sweet.
With a green smoothie, that's how! First, rid your mind of your previous attempts to gulp down 16oz of grassy not so goodness. This green smoothie recipe will transport you to the taste of an orange creamsicle on a hot summer day. The key to a delicious green smoothie is the fruit. While apples and pears are great additions to any smoothie, alone they do not offer enough sweetness to overcome the taste of greens. You need to use a variety of juicy and sweet fruits in order to turn this from a smoothie you know you should have to one that you crave.
Oranges are the star of this recipe. But you have to have the right orange. We've all had a dry mealy orange before. None of that here. The best time to get juicy, sweet oranges in the winter. Citrus season runs from January thru March, so get them all while the getting is good.
Another important piece to this recipe is the greens themselves. I know kale gets a lot of good press, but leave those leaves in the fridge. For this recipe you want to use spinach.
Spinach leaves are more tender, which will give the smoothie a smoother (ha! see what we did there) texture. Spinach also has a mild flavor profile which tends to take a backseat to other ingredients (in this case the fruit).
All you need is the ingredients, ice, and a powerful blender. This smoothie recipe is dairy free and added juice free.
Ingredients:
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup fresh sliced strawberries
1 medium navel orange (peeled and separated)
1/2 Fuji apple (chopped)
1-2 cups fresh spinach (washed)
1 1/2 cup ice cubes
Get your ingredients from Forty Acres Fresh Market
Order a $20 Fruit Box and request apples, navel oranges, pineapple, and strawberries.
Check for the latest information on Forty Acres Fresh Market produce stands and popup markets
Instructions
1. Put pineapple chunks (including any juice), strawberries, orange pieces, and chopped apple into the blender. Blend on medium low speed until fruit becomes liquified.
2. Pause blender. Add spinach slowly, blending on medium speed until it becomes incorporated into the liquified fruit.
3. Pause blender. Add ice to liquid and blend on high speed to your desired consistency. I like mine extremely smooth and easy to drink through a straw.
Watch the video below to see how it's done!