Green goodness smoothie recipe with banana and raisins {vegetarian}
To be honest, I thought I'd be the last person ever to utter these words: "I like green smoothies!" Yet, when my husband Ted whipped up this green goodness smoothie, with baby spinach leaves providing the green, and bananas and raisins serving up the goodness, I fell in love with the whole green smoothie thing right then and there. Cold and refreshing for breakfast on a hot summer morning, this smoothie might be equally good with tender baby kale, and apple juice instead of the white grape juice, and dates in place of raisins, but it was pretty perfect just the way Ted made it. After I finished this little glass, I had another, and another after that. What a great way to start the day, with a serving of dark leafy greens dressed up in something icy cold and sweet.
Green goodness smoothie with banana and raisins
From the pantry, you'll need: plain low-fat yogurt, golden raisins.
Serves 2.
Ingredients
1/2 cup spinach leaves
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 banana
1/2 cup unsweetened white grape juice
10-15 golden raisins
6 ice cubes
Directions
In a blender, combine first 5 ingredients, and process until almost smooth. Add the ice cubes, and process until completely smooth.
Serve immediately.
More recipes in The Perfect Pantry:
Cool-as-a-cucumber smoothie with Greek yogurt
Ted's apple smoothie with yogurt, honey and cardamom
Mango lassi
Raspberry, lime and mint smoothie
Pink yink ink drink
Other recipes that use these pantry ingredients:
Coconut green smoothie, from Two Peas & Their Pod
Vegan detox green monster smoothie, from Ambitious Kitchen
Limeade green smoothie, from Bake Your Day
Kale spinach and pear smoothie, from Joy the Baker
Spinach banana oat smoothie, from Weeklybite
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Lydia,
I never follow smoothie recipes, but I do happen to have everything for this, so guess what's for breakfast? I'll report back and tell you if my green smoothie (mom's way, not Ted's way) non-fan children approve.
Thanks!
I've never tasted anything remotely like this, but I trust your recommendation. And I like the idea of a green smoothie that's naturally sweet.
Kirsten, Ted doesn't really follow recipes, either, especially when it comes to smoothies. So feel free to put your own spin on it, and let us know what you come up with.
Kalyn, I'm totally surprised at how much I loved this smoothie, and most of the other "green" variations Ted has been making. I feel quite virtuous when I have one for breakfast and get in a serving of dark leafy greens so early in the day.
The report: DELICIOUS! Both kids said 'not bad' which is high praise for a green beverage that they saw mom go to the garden and pick the spinach right before the blender fired up.
I'm delighted such a sweet smoothie contains no sugar/honey/etc. All fruit.
Thanks!
Kirsten, that's high praise from any kid! Thanks for your feedback. I'll tell Ted this one is a hit.
I suspect this would make my entire body happy (as well as my doctor).
well - it looks good and it is certainly pretty but I have to admit I would rather eat a bowl of garlic-sauteed kale at 7am than eat drink a smoothie.. what can I say I just like everything all separate in it's "natural state" rather than "whizzed" up! LOL!
I love smoothies and I'm eating mostly veggies and fruits, nuts and whole grains these days.
I will totally try Ted's creation (he has always been creative in so many ways!) - it has to be good because everything in it is good.
I'm trying to be healthy enough to live into my 90's and be there at Christopher's daughter
Iris graduate from medical school. This desire help keep me on the straightish and narrowish path.(credit for the "ish" stuff to Steve Correll ---hope I got that right.
xoxo
Lydia - love that your husband made a green smoothie for you! In my house, it's always the other way around. The first time my kids had a green smoothie was when we were on vacation a few years ago and the restaurant served little shot glasses of smoothies at breakfast time. I agree - makes you feel like you're getting a great start to the day, like a healthy transfusion of antioxidants.