Greens lend tons of vitamins and beneficial phytochemicals to a smoothie. When balanced with fruit, you get all the nutritional benefits of the greens plus a sweet note that tempers the savory quality of the vegetables. As for the choice of greens, you have lots of options that you can change with the seasons. In addition to the ever-popular spinach and kale, try arugula, parsley, collard greens, bok choy, Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, sorrel, celery, cilantro, or carrot tops. If you add a lot of leafy greens to your smoothie, after blending on the SMOOTHIE setting, you may want to blend for 20 seconds longer to get an extra silky smoothie.
Preparation Method
Place liquid in the blender first, followed by the greens and soft or fresh fruits. Add the frozen fruit and/or ice cubes, followed by nuts or seeds. Top with sweetener and intensifier (if using). (Remember that grapes and some citrus fruits can count as a liquid ingredient.) Use the tamper as needed to stir the mixture or add a little more liquid and blend longer.
