When most of us think of smoothies, we imagine something sweet and creamy, maybe frosty even. This week, I've been making savory smoothies.
"Why?" you ask. I'm trying to use up the last bits in the garden that no one is interested in eating at this point in the season. We have watercress, spindly celery, parsley, and nasturtium leaves as the primary unwanted greens.
My original thought was how different can this be from V-8, that tomato-based vegetable drink. Well, actually, it can be quite different.
Yesterday's smoothie was a bit heavy on the nasturtium leaves. Not horrible. But nothing like V-8. I doctored it with additional salt and lemon juice. That made it palatable enough to drink.
I'm using these smoothies to supplement weekday lunches. They add an extra serving of veggies, and use something from the garden that might otherwise be wasted.
So here's what's in this smoothie:
- celery leaves
- nasturtium leaves
- watercress
- green onions
- garlic
- tomatoes
- parsley
- lemon juice
- salt
- turmeric
I'm not a big smoothie person, even the sweeter ones, so I don't think I would like these, but it's another creative way to use up veggies. My mother tried to make V-8 juice. She never quite got the recipe right, but it was okay. I remember we canned it.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteI'm impressed that your mother would make V-8 back in the day. These days, we could look up a recipe online to get it close to the purchased variety. But back then, it really was trial and error for a lot of things. I'm also impressed that she/you would can it. I'm guessing she used the bounty of fresh vegetables she had from your father's large garden.
Oh nice! Yes, I enjoy making such veg concoctions all season long to help incorporate and use up assorted garden herb/veggie bits and bobs. I think I originally probably followed recipes for actual homemade V8 Juice back in the day – though nowadays just mostly wing it according to what’s plentiful or needing used up. So, my veggie drinks/savory smoothies (or cold ‘soups’…? ‘Blended salads’…???) often do vary in taste from batch to batch. But for me the tinkering in the kitchen with various veggie and herb combos, flavors and flavored add-ins (saved pickle juice, vinegars, last-of-the-bottle condiments, cooked beans) is all part of the fun (and speaking of which, thanks for the idea of adding nasturtium – hadn’t thought of that one!). Besides, as a garden-fresh herbs and veggie lover, I figure it’s hard to go too terribly wrong, right lol…? ;-D So here’s to health and wellness, Lili -- enjoy…!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Also Lili, if you are using turmeric, remember to also add a pinch of black pepper. There is just something quite unique (and scientific) regarding that particular combo that really boosts/enhances the health benefits of each...!
DeleteHi friend,
DeleteI totally forgot about adding black pepper. Thank you for the reminder! You've offered some great ideas for additions to savory smoothies. I think I'll add some homemade ACV from last year's brew with my next batch of savory smoothies. Adding beans would give it a boost of protein, too. This week I've been thinking of these smoothies as cold soups to go with whatever else I'm having for lunch. I've been making 3-day batches, enough for a glass 3 days in a row. I'll have to make my next batch tomorrow. I'll look in my fridge with fresh perspective. thanks for the inspiration!
I'm also not a huge smoothie person, but the sweet ones are ok. I admire those of you who enjoy savory smoothies, but it isn't for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
DeleteWe all have our likes an dislikes. You might be more in the camp of throwing those last bits of vegetables into a pot of vegetable soup. That works, too. Thanks for being honest.