Kale in smoothies?

Dovenoir · 04-20-2012, 06:22 PM

So I bought a bag of kale instead of spinach.. since some was recalled the grocer was smack out of anything spinach.

I don't have a vitamix; but a very good Hamilton Beach wave blender. I love it except now that I know about everyone's vitamixes..

So how do I keep kale from being gritty in smoothies? I know I'll get over the whack-you-in-the-face grass taste.. but the texture?

AngelaVA · 04-20-2012, 06:59 PM

I use a combo of spinach and kale usually for my green smoothies. What I do is put either some frozen strawberries or a banana in the bottom, then fill the blender with the greens and then pour over it plain kefir and the juice from an orange or two (or just orange juice). I know it is not the norm to put kefir in green smoothies but I like the taste and I find the texture way better.

Punkie · 04-20-2012, 07:02 PM

What all did you put in there? Bananas and frozen fruit are necessary for us, to help with the texture. I have a blendtec, so it gets it very finely blended, but I still need those fruits.

Dovenoir · 04-20-2012, 07:26 PM

My standard is about 300 ml apple juice and a full blender of greens. Puree then add 1/2 cup mango and 1/2 cup blueberries; set aside portion for DS then add 1-2 bananas and or avocado.

DS is dairy/banana/soy sensitive. Haven't done strawberries yet.

ETA- fruit is frozen. Banana sometimes frozen.

cheri · 04-20-2012, 07:40 PM

I have a Blendtec, so it's very pureed.

However, I think that our smoothies in general taste better with frozen fruits- frozen strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pineapples, bananas- really whatever fruits you like.

Also, with kale, I'm not sure that my kids would eat a whole blender full of it, even with frozen fruit. It just has a much stronger taste than something like spinach.

Dovenoir · 04-20-2012, 07:43 PM

DS will drink about an ounce of it thinned with apple juice. DH will choke it down. I will drink a whole blender if I'm not careful. But the texture.... there's something I'm missing and I don't quite know what.

cheri · 04-20-2012, 07:50 PM

do you have any nut sensitivities? sometimes I'll add almond milk and it gives a creamier texture. I've done frozen almond milk, too.

Dovenoir · 04-20-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheri

do you have any nut sensitivities? sometimes I'll add almond milk and it gives a creamier texture. I've done frozen almond milk, too.

Haven't done almonds, but no one in the family is nut sensitive either.

I'm game.

When you use the blend tec are you still getting little leafy pieces or do you get a smooth puree?

cheri · 04-20-2012, 07:59 PM

my blendtec gives me a smooth puree.

not to rub it in at all, but it's magical. i am in love with my blender.

MaiMama · 04-20-2012, 08:08 PM

My vitamix makes it totally smooth too. (Gotta give the blendtec a run for its money.)

04-20-2012, 06:22 PM	#1
Dovenoir Rose Garden Dove - noir Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cincy, OH Posts: 5,600	Kale in smoothies? So I bought a bag of kale instead of spinach.. since some was recalled the grocer was smack out of anything spinach. I don't have a vitamix; but a very good Hamilton Beach wave blender. I love it except now that I know about everyone's vitamixes.. So how do I keep kale from being gritty in smoothies? I know I'll get over the whack-you-in-the-face grass taste.. but the texture?

04-20-2012, 06:59 PM	#2
AngelaVA Rose Garden Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 11,512	Re: Kale in smoothies? I use a combo of spinach and kale usually for my green smoothies. What I do is put either some frozen strawberries or a banana in the bottom, then fill the blender with the greens and then pour over it plain kefir and the juice from an orange or two (or just orange juice). I know it is not the norm to put kefir in green smoothies but I like the taste and I find the texture way better. __________________ Wife to David since July 2005, Mama to Genevieve born June 2006 and to Gabrielle born February 2009

04-20-2012, 07:02 PM	#3
Punkie Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 20,092	Re: Kale in smoothies? What all did you put in there? Bananas and frozen fruit are necessary for us, to help with the texture. I have a blendtec, so it gets it very finely blended, but I still need those fruits. __________________ GCM Admin and Moderator in Questions About the Message Board, Drawing Closer, Let's Talk, Weight Management, In the News, and Electronics. Homeschooling mom to 4, certified herbalist, homesteader, and overly ambitious crafter

04-20-2012, 07:26 PM	#4
Dovenoir Rose Garden Dove - noir Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cincy, OH Posts: 5,600	Re: Kale in smoothies? My standard is about 300 ml apple juice and a full blender of greens. Puree then add 1/2 cup mango and 1/2 cup blueberries; set aside portion for DS then add 1-2 bananas and or avocado. DS is dairy/banana/soy sensitive. Haven't done strawberries yet. ETA- fruit is frozen. Banana sometimes frozen. Last edited by Dovenoir; 04-20-2012 at 07:43 PM.

04-20-2012, 07:40 PM	#5
cheri Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,643	Re: Kale in smoothies? I have a Blendtec, so it's very pureed. However, I think that our smoothies in general taste better with frozen fruits- frozen strawberries, blueberries, peaches, pineapples, bananas- really whatever fruits you like. Also, with kale, I'm not sure that my kids would eat a whole blender full of it, even with frozen fruit. It just has a much stronger taste than something like spinach. __________________

04-20-2012, 07:43 PM	#6
Dovenoir Rose Garden Dove - noir Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cincy, OH Posts: 5,600	Re: Kale in smoothies? DS will drink about an ounce of it thinned with apple juice. DH will choke it down. I will drink a whole blender if I'm not careful. But the texture.... there's something I'm missing and I don't quite know what.

04-20-2012, 07:50 PM	#7
cheri Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,643	Re: Kale in smoothies? do you have any nut sensitivities? sometimes I'll add almond milk and it gives a creamier texture. I've done frozen almond milk, too. __________________

04-20-2012, 07:59 PM	#9
cheri Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,643	Re: Kale in smoothies? my blendtec gives me a smooth puree. not to rub it in at all, but it's magical. i am in love with my blender. __________________

04-20-2012, 08:08 PM	#10
MaiMama Rose Garden Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 5,564	Re: Kale in smoothies? My vitamix makes it totally smooth too. (Gotta give the blendtec a run for its money.) __________________ Mai Married to my love, Jimmy 3/9/2000 Grateful Mama to: Trinity Rain - The Matrix, 2004 Jackson Atreyu - The Neverending Story, 2006 Bella Adalyn - Twilight, 2009 and introducing: Lincoln Ambassador - Fringe, 12/16/2012 remembering Aviva Ata '08

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