Watermelon spritzer
Monta Vista Sunrise
Green ginger juice
…and so much more were the concoctions created during my demo this past Sunday at the Monta Vista Market. I brought my Breville juice machine and my Vitamix (a high-speed blender). Thankfully the staff had no trouble keeping up with washing the produce, and rinsing out the juicer and blender between each creation.
What wonderfully-healthy-tasty creations we made!
Clayton came up with a great tasting smoothie using many of the fruits that are on special this week at Monta Vista Market … including mango, banana, raspberries, orange, plum… YUM!
All of the recipes we made are below. Some folks shared with us their favorite juice or smoothie that they make at home, and others made up a recipe on the spot, using MVM’s fresh produce. I’m sure you’ll enjoy’m just as much as we all did.
BTW — as we tasted each drink we collectively decided on adding an additional fruit or veggie and then had a second, and sometimes third, round of samples, you’ll see the notations in the recipes, below….
Clayton’s invented “Monta Vista Sunrise”
Blend until smooth:
- 3 doughnut peaches
- 1 container red raspberries
- 1 mango
- 1 banana (see TIP, below)
- 1 plum, added for the second tasting
- 1 orange, added for the third tasting
- ….and ….I think mint will go well
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One couple’s long-time favorite: “Watermelon spritzer”
Through the juicer:
- 1/2 medium-size watermelon (no rind)
- 3 purple plums (btw — at home, they usually use plum powder from Asian market)
- a bit of water (optional, see NOTE, below)
- 1 lime, added for the second tasting
NOTE: We used the juice machine, but a blender will work just fine. I used a bit of water b/c I have a habit of pouring water through the juice machine to clear out any remaining juice lingering inside. I do this for three reasons… it cleans, collects and dilutes … all at the same time. If the last thing I put through the machine is a high-water food, then the water basically is used for pre cleaning. If the last thing that went through the juicer was a lime or lemon or ginger then the water is good for collecting the prized flavors of what juice remains inside. Diluting is important for me b/c so many of the juices are just too sugary for my system, I want to avoid the hour-later sugar slump.
This drink hit a HOME RUN for me, as well as Michael’s “Green ginger juice,” which you’ll see farther down this list.
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Jerry’s “Let’s-see-if-this-will-taste-good veggie smoothie”
In the Vitamix, blend well:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 crooked neck squash
- 2 stalks green onion
- 1/2 lime (zest and juice)
- 1 celery rib, added for the second tasting
- 1 pear, added for the third tasting
This veggie smoothie was thick, thick enough to call it soup and eat with a spoon. It tasted best after adding the celery and pear.
Lesson learned: remove the seeds from the squash, they were just too bitter so we added the sweet pear and salty celery to cover up the bitter.
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Nan’s favorite “Go-to veggie juice”
Through the juicer:
- 2 carrots
- 2 celery ribs
- 1 handful spinach
- 1 handful green grapes
- 1 apple
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Mystery man’s made-up “Yogurt smoothie”
In the Vitamix:
- Mango lime yogurt
- 1 gala apple
- 1 peach
- 1 cup water
TIP: use just a 1/2 cup water for a more pudding-like creaminess.
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Mystery couple’s favorite “Beet ginger juice”
Through the juicer:
- 1 beet with stem and leaves
- 1 apple
- 2-inch ginger
- 2 ribs celery
NOTE: we didn’t get to making this one, but it sounded so good I just had to share it with you all. I know that the beet and ginger work really well together, complimenting –rather than contrasting– each other.
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Michael’s made-to-order “Green ginger juice”
Through the juicer:
- 1b kale (leaves and stems)
- 1b celery (leaves and stalks)
- 1/2 lemon (rind removed)
- 1 apple
- 1-inch ginger
- 10 green grapes, for the second tasting
- 1-inch ginger, more ginger for the second tasting
This drink has an effervescence bubbly-ness to it. WOW. It was so refreshing, so thirst quenching, so satisfying!
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Lee and Jude’s invented “Tomato soup”
In the Vitamix:
- 1 cup water
- handful spinach
- handful parsley leaves
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 heirloom tomato
- 3 Roma tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 jalapeno
- Salt
- 2 cloves garlic were added for the second tasting
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Comments during the demo were:
“Love this store, you don’t have to worry about, or think about if food is organic or not.”
“We may as well get some plums, we’ll definitely make that drink!” (referring to the watermelon drink)
“I’ll be back next week and bring my friends, we all like to cook.” (from 14 year old)
“Can I purchase my own veggies, you make the drink, I’ll fill up my to-go cup and off to the beach I go?” (I did this, he was verrrrry happy)
“I have this same juicer, haven’t used it in a while, but now I gotta make this drink.”
“I have a Vitamix, love it, will have to make this.” (referring to Clayton’s smoothie)
“I just sent text to my girlfriend about this and your raw potlucks. She talked me into buying a better juice machine, where making all kinds.”