This spinach and apple smoothie recipe is an incredibly easy way to pack in an extra helping of green veggies. It tastes fresh and delicious (you can taste the goodness!), and on busy days it's great to help you on your way to Five A Day. (See more here about other easy ways to eat more fruit and veg)
We all know the importance of including plenty of veg in our diet, but including leafy greens is especially important. Leafy greens are among the healthiest foods you can eat, and it's not surprising that Popeye was famed for eating spinach. Spinach is linked to vitality, being rich in iron, folic acid and numerous other vitamins and minerals. (This BBC article by a registered nutritionist explains more about the health benefits of spinach)
Ingredients
- Spinach. In this recipe, I use frozen chopped spinach. It's so easy, and you can make this smoothie even when you are running low on fresh ingredients. If you remember, take the spinach out the freezer to defrost, but if not, then use hot water to defrost it
- Applesauce. You'll need unsweetened applesauce or cooked apple. Although cooked apples are slightly lower in some nutrients than raw apples, they are very good for digestion. Cooked apples are higher in a type of fibre called pectin, which is released during the cooking process and helps to protect the lining of the gut
- Water. You'll need to add some liquid to your spinach and apple puree to achieve a good texture
- Variations. Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to your smoothie. As well as adding flavour, spices also have a nutritional benefit, even in tiny amounts. Or try a squeeze of lemon juice to make your smoothie taste even fresher
Equipment for spinach and apple smoothie
The advantage of using frozen chopped spinach and applesauce is that you can easily make this healthy smoothie with a stick or immersion blender which is so much easier to wash up:). I use a tall jug with the immersion blender so that none of the vibrant green liquid escapes. Of course you could use a normal blender or food processor. If you're using raw apples in a smoothie, you'll need a super powerful blender to achieve a smooth texture.
Frequently asked questions
It's quite hard to tell where the freshness of the apple finishes and the spinach starts, as it's a pretty mild flavour. If you hate the taste of spinach, you'll probably notice it, but otherwise I would say it's certainly not dominant
Yes, you can. But you will need a more powerful blender to achieve a smooth texture. Remove any tough stalks, chop the leaves and blend the spinach and water first before adding the applesauce
If you remember, it makes the blending process slightly quicker. But if you are using spinach which is still frozen, use hot water in the recipe instead of cold and it will defrost pretty quickly
Absolutely you can. However, spinach has a particularly mild flavour, and you'll notice the taste of ingredients such as kale more
I'd suggest making your smoothie as close as possible to drinking it. That way it'll keep it's fresh colour and goodness:)
Of course! It's packed with nutrients and fibre. It's a great way to start the day, or pack some extra fruit and veg into your diet. Enjoy!
Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and/or comment at the bottom of the page. Your feedback and questions are much appreciated.
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Spinach and Apple Smoothie
Ingredients
- 80 g chopped frozen spinach ideally defrosted
- 100 ml applesauce or cooked apple unsweetened
- 100 ml water
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a tall jug and blitz with an immersion blender until smooth. If your spinach is still frozen, use hot water to help it defrost and mix together.
- If you prefer, use a blender or food processor.
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