When I think about making a smoothie, I have to admit that veggies are not the first thing I reach for. I’ve seen lots of smoothie recipes that call for spinach or kale or some other vegetable, but I’ve usually of avoided doing that. I always think of smoothies as more fruit based, on the sweeter side. But when trying to come up with a new orange smoothie recipe, I decided to give it a try; and I’m glad I did. Adding a vegetable gave the smoothie more depth of flavor along with a nutritional boost.
It took a little tweaking with the recipe; but I finally settled on adding carrots to make an orange and carrot smoothie. The naturally sweet oranges and earthy carrots complement each other nicely while giving the smoothie a beautiful orange color. Both also provide a hefty dose of immune-supporting nutrients, something that’s definitely needed during flu and cold season. Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C, while carrots provide vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. The addition of ginger and turmeric gives it an extra immune supporting boost as well. Greek yogurt and a little protein powder up the protein content to help keep you feeling full for a longer period of time.
I tried this orange and carrot smoothie first with fresh carrots; but found it still had bits of raw carrot even after blending. If you like that and are okay with little pieces of raw carrot in your smoothie, go for it. But if, like me, you like a creamier texture, try cooking them in the microwave with just a bit of water till they are tender. It only adds a minute or two and the resulting smoothie is creamier and just as delicious!
What’s your favorite way to add veggies to your smoothie? Share with us in the comments below!
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Creamy Orange and Carrot Smoothie with Ginger and Turmeric
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 baby carrots
- 1 tsp. water
- 1 orange peeled
- 1/3 c. Greek yogurt
- 3 Tbsp. vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp. ground turmeric
- 1/2 to 1 tsp. honey
- 6 to 8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Place baby carrots in microwave-safe bowl, add the 1 tsp. water, cover loosely and cook on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until soft.
- Place cooked carrots, orange, yogurt, protein powder, banana, ginger, and turmeric in blender. Process on high until smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the blender as needed. Add honey for sweetness if desired.
- Add ice cubes and blend for 30 to 60 seconds until evenly incorporated.
- Serve immediately.
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