Ani's Raw Food Essentials (10 page)

MAKES 4 CUPS

 

I've been blending greens for years, but this particular style of blending half fruit with half greens was introduced by Victoria Butenko and is relatively new in the raw food world. To get more greens into any diet, use fruit to help mask some of the more intense “green” flavors. Masking the color by using a darker fruit such as blueberries will help when feeding to kids. And, you can always include an additional sweetener, such as a pinch of stevia, for flavor, if desired.

2 cups chopped greens, such as romaine lettuce, kale, or collards
2 cups fruit, such as sliced banana, cubed mango, or blueberries
2 cups filtered water, as desired

Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

 

Will keep for 1 day in the fridge, but best enjoyed immediately.

 

SUGGESTIONS:
Start with milder-tasting greens and stronger-flavored fruits. Although you can use kale, chard, and collards, their flavors are strong and harder to mask. Try these combos:

MAKES 4 CUPS

 

Blending nuts creates a creamy consistency, so adding them to your smoothie will add more body, richness, and a creamy color, too.

Once blended, add one to two cups of ice and blend, to add a frosty chill.

3 cups fruit, such as sliced banana, cubed pineapple or persimmon, blueberries, or açai
½ cup nuts or seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, or pecans
¼ cup agave syrup, or 1/3 to ½ cup pitted dates, packed, as desired
2 cups filtered water
Ice (optional)

Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

 

Add ice, if using, and blend to mix well. Serve immediately.

 

Will keep for 1 day in the fridge.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

 

If you've never had a persimmon, this beautiful, bright orange smoothie is a wonderful introduction. The recipe calls for Fuyu persimmons, the flatter ones that look like orange tomatoes, rather than the pointed ones.

Choose Fuyu persimmons that are soft to the touch and ripe, rather than too firm. I like choosing persimmons that have the richest orange color.

Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.

 

Will keep for 2 days in the fridge.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

 

A beautifully bright orange smoothie packed with vitamin C and antioxidant-rich mango and goji berries, kissed with a slight tartness of lime. I always prefer using fresh, but frozen mango will work, too.

1 recipe Basic Fruit Smoothie (page 31) made with mango and agave syrup
¼ cup lime juice (from 1 lime)
¼ cup goji berries

Follow the instructions for the Basic Fruit Smoothie, adding the lime juice and goji berries as you blend it. Enjoy.

 

Will keep for 2 days in the fridge.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

 

Here is a light, refreshing, and cool strawberry bliss that's great on a hot summer day at the beach or by the pool. The blend of strawberries and ice, sweetened with agave, is inspired by Mexican
aquas frescas
I discovered on visits to Puerto Escondido.

1 recipe Basic Fruit Smoothie (page 31) made with
strawberries and agave syrup
¼ cup lime juice (from 1 lime)
2 cups ice

Follow the directions for Basic Fruit Smoothie recipe, adding the lime juice. Add the ice and blend.

 

Best if served immediately, but will keep for a day or two in the fridge.