I had some kale that I needed to use up, and smoothies are always great ways to use extra fruit and greens that you’re not sure what else to do with. 🙂 So I began searching for kale smoothie recipes and found this one at Green Plate Rule. The site mentions that kale has 10 times the vitamin C, 4 times the vitamin A, almost 2 times the vitamin K, and more calcium and vitamin B6 than spinach does. Wow-I had no idea kale was so super-nutritious!
I did make a few small changes and I really liked the way this turned out! Usually I add honey to sweeten up my smoothies, but the 5 different kinds of fruit in this, especially the pineapple, make the smoothie sweet enough on it’s own. When you put all the ingredients in the blender, you might think that 1/4 cup orange juice is not enough liquid like I thought at first…
…but it blends up into a really nice, thick smoothie–the perfect consistency!
ORANGE PEAR KALE GREEN SMOOTHIE by NancyCreative, adapted from Green Plate Rule
Makes about 24 ounces, or 3 (8-ounce) servings
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup green grapes
- 1 pear, cut into slices or chunks
- 1 orange, peeled
- 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1 cup kale, well packed
Add all ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth, at least 1 minute. Pour into glasses and serve.
I’m starting to use kale a little more since it’s so healthy. I like it in smoothies and soups. I think it’s a little bitter for salads so I don’t use it that way much. What different ways have you tried using kale?
Linked to Inspire Me Monday.
What a great idea to substitute kale for spinach in a smoothie. Definitely going to try this out.
Have you ever tried “massaging” it before using it in salads? Basically you squish it with some dressing and it makes it tender and much less bitter. Here’s an example: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/massaged_kale_salad.html
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I haven’t tried that, but it’s a great tip–thanks for sharing, and for the link! 🙂
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I do an egg white omelet most mornings–sauté kale– baby spinach– chopped bell pepper and sliced grape tomatoes–all are organic–then free range egg and one egg white and season to taste–really good
Will try smoothie–sounds really great
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Your omelet sounds really good, Ginger–I will have to try that out sometime! 🙂
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I love kale smoothies, too! I have them 3-4 times per week and make them with water instead of juice to cut out the sugar content. I buy two to three pineapples at a time, cu them up, and freeze them just so I can have them on hand for my smoothies. I do that with fresh berries as well!
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That’s a great way to cut sugar, using water instead of juice–because the fruit really makes it sweet enough!
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Yes, I don’t like my smoothies too sweet because then it feels like an indulgence! I want to feel healthy! 😛
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My kids would love this but just minus the kale. I thought I was doing good the other day just to get them to try kale in a salad. I can’t push it too far… LOL
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I just started doing my smoothies again and this sounds wonderful!
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I love trying out different smoothies–hope you get a chance to try this one sometime, Deborah! 🙂
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Yum!
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I have yet to convert to these “green smoothies” I just cant get past the color, but my cousin makes them daily in her juice machine…this recipe does look tempting as we are all trying to get fit for summer, thanks for sharing 🙂
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You’re welcome! Yes, I’m trying to get more “fit” myself with healthier foods! 🙂
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Sounds like a great drink! I always try to rotate my greens too 🙂
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