This is my first foray into the world of green smoothies. I was thinking of the perfect combination which would get me kick-started into enjoying the benefits of a glass of green goodness so I came up with an idea for a Green Goddess Smoothie.
I thought a good place to start would be by adding kale, a love/hate vegetable it seems. I actually discovered baby kale leaves which I have used in this recipe. They are delicate frilly leaves that I also enjoyed in a salad but I purposefully kept some back for my smoothie.
What I discovered when making my Green Goddess smoothie was that it is all about the balance. Too much iron rich kale can result in a bitter, rather unpleasant smoothie which would feel like a punishment rather than a pleasure. So go easy on the kale or spinach to begin with.
By keeping the balance in check you will end up with a glass of what feels like a natural energy boost. In the same vain, imagine the hit of energy you get from an Espresso. This is the same. In juice form.
I would recommend adding, as I did, a generous amount of both fresh mint and fresh ginger. They lifted the flavours and turned my first green smoothie experience into a delicious revelation. One which I will be repeating, especially at that 5pm energy slump when all you really want to do is reach for chocolate, chips or crisps. Try it and see for yourself!
I made mine in my Froothie, a true kitchen friend when it comes to any form of blending. The Froothie blends to such smoothness that you will have no fear of finding chunks of kale between your teeth or lumps of stringy ginger to contend with.
Green Goddess Smoothie
A green smoothie packed full of goodness to give you an energy boost
Ingredients
- 2 pears cored and chopped
- 1 inch ginger peeled and chopped
- 1 handful baby spinach
- 1/2 cucumber chopped
- 300 ml cloudy apple juice
- 4 tbsp mint leaves only
Instructions
Place all of the ingredients into a high powered blender and blitz until smooth.
Elizabeth says
February 5, 2015 at 11:40 amooh this sounds lovely! The melon and pear will really balance the strong flavours of the kale. Yum!
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:20 pmPleased you think so too, kale must be there but not in huge amounts.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
February 5, 2015 at 3:23 pmThis looks so lovely yet so healthy – super green, but I bet the pears and melon give a lovely fruity flavour!
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:21 pmThanks Becca, I love trying out new flavour combinations
[email protected] says
February 5, 2015 at 8:40 pmA superbly well-balanced smoothie. Perfect for the kale-phobe and kale maniac (me) alike. 🙂
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:18 pmYes Kellie hopefully kale phobes would approve!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
February 5, 2015 at 9:51 pmThat looks wonderful Laura. I do love green smoothies. Your photos are gorgeous too 🙂
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:19 pmThanks Jac 🙂
Jan Bennett says
February 6, 2015 at 6:34 amLove the idea of adding pear and melon!
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:21 pmMe too!
Vanesther - Bangers & Mash says
February 6, 2015 at 11:42 amWhat a fantastically vibrant and delicious sounding smoothie – just my kind of thing. My current favourite is broccoli with kale, celery, apple and mango – with lots of ginger too. Definitely going to be giving your combo a try! And thanks for linking up with The Spice Trail Temple Food challenge 🙂
Laura Scott says
February 6, 2015 at 1:17 pmLove the sound go your favourite smoothie too Vanesther!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
February 11, 2015 at 11:06 amI have never dared try kale in a smoothie but I think with the melon and the super douper blender I think I will be pleasantly surprised.
Laura Scott says
February 11, 2015 at 6:37 pmI think you are right Bintu!
Kate says
February 12, 2015 at 9:50 amI love a green smoothie! I usually add pineapple or apple for sweetness but melon sounds like a lovely option too.
Laura Scott says
February 12, 2015 at 10:05 pmThanks Kate, I am getting into my green smoothies finally!
Emily Leary says
February 16, 2015 at 8:48 pmMy husband said he’d bring me breakfast in bed tomorrow, so I’ve just pinged him this URL! 🙂
Laura Scott says
February 20, 2015 at 5:35 pmPerfect!
Fuss Free Helen says
February 28, 2015 at 11:51 amThis is just gorgeous Laura – I love pears in smoothies as they make them so creamy. I am delighted you are embracing the green smoothie habit!