26/07/2020

Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie

Name: Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie
Prep time: 8 min
Total time: 8 min
Ingredients: 180 g cooked beetroot; 140 g blueberries (fresh or frozen); 1 large handful fresh mint leaves (stems removed); 1 lime (juice only); 1 handful ice cubes (use more if blueberries are fresh rather than frozen); 2 dessertspoons plain yogurt (optional); 1 splash milk (optional); blueberries; fresh mint (chopped); a sprinkle of seeds or chopped nuts (e.g. hemp hearts, hazelnuts)

Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie may sound like an odd combination, but it’s one of my absolute favourites.

Naturally sweet, but with a little earthiness from the beetroot, plus mint and lime juice to give a fresh zing.

Perfect as a light breakfast or snack, tasty enough as a dessert.

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve never had beetroot in a smoothie, you just have to try this Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie.

Yes, you will detect an earthy sweetness from the beetroot. But that’s balanced by fruity blueberries, fresh mint leaves and lime juice.

Apart from the wonderful colour and flavour it brings, including beetroot in the smoothie makes it more filling and adds to the nutritional value.

Read about the health benefits of beetroot here.

BEETROOT (and a tip for Instant Pot users)

This smoothie uses cooked beetroot. If you’re going to buy beetroot already cooked rather than doing it yourself, do please make sure it doesn’t contain vinegar!

You can buy those vacuum packs of beetroot without vinegar though; just check the label carefully.

However, I prefer to buy a bunch of raw beetroots and cook them myself. Apart from being plastic-free, I think these just taste better.

To cook on top of the stove, trim any leaves or long roots, and put the washed beetroots in a roomy saucepan. Cover them with cold water, bring to a boil and then simmer until tender. This could take between 20-40 minutes depending on their size. When cool enough to handle, remove the skins.

But the great news for Instant Pot users like me is that you can get quicker but perfectly tender beetroot with all the flavour locked in.

All you do is pour 250ml of water in the bottom of the pot and put in the trivet. Next, sit the washed and trimmed beetroot on the trivet and lock on the lid. Cook the beets on high pressure, adjusting the time according to their size.

I find that between 15 minutes for small and 25 minutes for large beetroots is usually enough. When the time is up, release the pressure manually, take off the lid and leave until cool enough to handle. You’ll find that the skins just slip right off.

Cooked beetroots are fine in a covered container or jar in the fridge for around three days.

BLUEBERRIES

You can use either fresh or frozen blueberries in this Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie so whichever you have is fine.

I always keep a store of frozen blueberries as they’re usually consistent in flavour and the shelf life is good.

Mind you, I did get the beautifully fresh organic blueberries you see above in a recent delivery from Moorland Veg Box. These were so juicy and full of flavour.

If you do use fresh rather than frozen blueberries in this recipe, I recommend you add extra ice cubes. This will ensure your smoothie is nicely thick and cold.

MAKING BEETROOT, BLUEBERRY & MINT SMOOTHIE

The other essential ingredients for this smoothie are a big handful of fresh mint leaves and the juice of a lime.

For added nutrition, creaminess, and so that the smoothie’s more filling, I like some plain yogurt in there. To help with the blending I also add a splash of milk.

But you could leave out either or both if you prefer.

After whizzing everything together and pouring into glasses, I like to top the smoothies with more fresh mint, blueberries and a few seeds or chopped nuts. Here, I’ve chosen nutty hemp hearts.

Made in a flash with ready cooked beetroots, Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie really is a delicious, nutrient packed breakfast or snack.

Actually, I think it’s so good, this smoothie would make an excellent healthy and refreshing dessert too!

Have you made Beetroot, Blueberry & Mint Smoothie?