Name: Beets and Berries Smoothie
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 8 ounces peeled cooked beets , halved; 1½ cups frozen strawberries; 1 (1-inch) piece ginger , peeled and chopped; 1½ cups water , plus extra as needed

Why This Recipe Works

Berries have a delectable flavor on their own, but here they accented the fruity undertones in the beets. The strawberries enhanced the sweetness in the beets and together made for a beautifully vibrant, red smoothie. Using frozen strawberries eliminated our need for added ice, but the smoothie still had a desirable chilled quality. We experimented with raw versus cooked beets but ultimately preferred the cooked ones because they had strong flavor and were softer, so they broke down nicely. For a pop of spice to complement this dynamic duo, we opted for ginger, which gave our smoothie a zippy note. Increasing the blending time cut down on the fibrous strands that can come from ginger, so the texture was nice and smooth.

Before You Begin

We had the best success using vacuum-sealed cooked beets; they are typically stored with other prepared fresh produce. Canned beets are also an option; be sure to purchase the unsalted variety and rinse them thoroughly before using.

Instructions

In order listed, add all ingredients to blender and process on low speed until mixture is combined but still coarse in texture, about 10 seconds, scraping down sides of blender jar as needed. Gradually increase speed to high and process until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Adjust consistency with extra water as needed. Serve.