Surprise Superfood Smoothie

I have made this smoothie so many times I’ve lost count. It’s one of my favorite to make for friends because they don’t know the secret ingredient and so far not a single one has ever guessed it!

The dominant flavor of this smoothie is a delicious riff on a Bakewell Tart with cherries and almond butter.

The first superfood in here is beets. The rich color in beets is in part what makes them so healthy - they are full of beta carotene and heart health boosting nutrients and phytochemicals. They are inherently sweet and brightly colored, which comes in handy when when trying to persuade tricky kids to try something new. FWIW, my kids love this one.

I like to use the pre-steamed beets that come in convenient packets ready to use. The steaming makes them softer and then they blend down to a much smoother consistency than would be possible with raw beets.

And now for the second, secret, surprise superfood. It is ……. sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut is a real nutritional powerhouse and excellent way to get natural probiotics which help the good bacteria in your gut to thrive, which in turn help with digestion. There are a host of other benefits too such as high vitamin C and K2 content and immune support. Some people suggest eating a little once a day but if it’s not your bag, once in a while will still boost you with the power of living food! In theory it could be added to any smoothie, but it works particularly well here because the acidity and tang works well with the orange and together they really balance out the earthy beets. When you are buying sauerkraut be sure to get one that is naturally fermented. Some use vinegar to achieve the same flavor profile but this robs you of the benefits. I like Bubbies because there are only three ingredients - cabbage, salt and water - as it should be.

Make it, love it, surprise your friends! And tell me what you think of it.

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Secret Superfood Smoothie

Yield: 3

Author: Pea Lawson

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Make this and then get people to guess the secret ingredient - no one can! All fun aside, this is packed with beneficial nutritional goodies and most importantly, it tastes delicious

Ingredients

• 8oz steamed beets (excellent for cardiovascular health, folate and antioxidants)
• 1 orange, peeled (vitamin C, assists with iron absorption)
• 2 ½ cups frozen cherries and/or berries combined in preferred ratio (anti-inflammatory, immunity boosters)
• ¼ cup sauerkraut (plain without caraway seeds) including some juice (probiotics, gut health, living food)
• 1tbsp each of flax meal, hemp hearts and chia seeds. Or 3tbsp of just one of these if that is all that is available (for fiber and healthy fats)
• ~4 tbsp almond butter (healthy fats)
• Enough cold water to ensure that everything blends nicely. I like to start with about a cup and add carefully as the blades turn so things don’t get to thin (hydration)
• Cacao powder for garnish (antioxidant, mood booster)

Instructions

1. Place everything in the blender and spin until smooth. Top with the cacao, drink and conquer your day!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @betterthroughfood on instagram and hashtag it #healthydelicious