Fresh Beet Smoothie

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Fresh Beet Smoothie

Tips and Advice - Cooking from Scratch

Written by Maureen Wood

In my effort to increase my vegetable intake I have resorted to adding them my smoothies (blended fruit, juices, and ice) on many a recommendation. I have had a successful run of adding kale to my smoothies and have now moved from leafy vegetables to rooted ones -- specifically the beet root.

Most people tend to eat beet root cook either for soup or pickling. In this case the beet root can be used raw "as is" but I like to boil it for about ten minutes so it is easier to peel. Chop off the thick top and the tip at the bottom then cut in half or quarter if they are particularly large. Put in boiling water for ten minutes. Don't be concerned by the change of color. There are still many vitamins to go around. If you know you are going to be eating beet smoothies a few days in a row you can boil extra then but not peel them but stick them in an air tight container in the fridge for the next day.

Ingredients:

3 small beet roots, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 teaspoon skim milk powder
3 teaspoon of rough bran
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup skim milk
3 teaspoons of sugar substitute (optional)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender or smoothie processor. Be sure that the beets are closest to the blades to ensure adequate pulverization. If you are using a smoothie processor like the Magic Bullet then start off by pulsing to break up large pieces before blending.

This recipe makes a beautiful deeply colored red drink. The first taste, especially if you are not a beet eater is unusual. Don't abandon it immediately. I highly recommend using the sugar or sugar substitute the first time you try this and as you become accustomed to the taste you can reduce it.

Obviously, if you have blueberries and strawberries in season, fresh can be substituted for frozen. In which case I would add six to eight ice cubes to the blend. Adding ice chills the veggies and fruit making the drink more palatable.

I hope you enjoy adding beets to your smoothies as much as I did. If you have other vegetable suggestions, leafy or root, to use as smoothie additions please share them in the comments below. I'd love to hear what you have tried!

Photo of beet smoothie , copyright M. E. Wood

M. E. Wood lives in Eastern Ontario, Canada. If you are going to find this eclectic reader and writer anywhere it is probably at her computer. For more information visit her Squidoo Who page.