You may think you don’t like vegetables, but finding the right vegetable juice recipes might change your mind! Juicing vegetables could open up a whole new world for you.
We all know that vegetables are healthy for us. Most doctors and government health departments tell us that we should have several servings a day. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and important cancer-fighting compounds.
Unfortunately, for some people, vegetables just don’t taste good. Perhaps the texture of boiled or steamed vegetables is off-putting to you, or the sulfuric smell or taste of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) turns you off. With any electric juicer you can transform your relationship with these nutrient-dense plants through vegetable recipes aimed at ambivalent vegetable taste buds.
Most people enjoy fruit juices, but the term “vegetable juice” conjures up images of V8s or other canned tomato drinks. Believe it or not, there is a whole world of juicing vegetables that taste nothing like you might imagine. Whether on its own or mixed with fruit extracts, even a sworn hater of vegetables can take part.
Vegetable juices that are easy to enjoy even for the vegetable averse include cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, fresh tomato (which is very different than canned tomato!), celery, jicama, and zucchini. Then there are a variety of options to mask the taste of other examples.
The first option to make vegetable juice recipes tastier is to mix them with fruit extracts. Spinach juice or kale juice mixed with apple juice is sweet and delicious. Orange juice can overpower the flavor of some green juice. Carrot and apple are a great combination for veggie haters. Cherry or pomegranate juice is flavorful enough that a little carrot or celery juice is barely noticeable. Melon juice mixes well with cucumber or celery. Jicama juice or zucchini juice can be combined with mango or pineapple juices.
If you are making a smoothie, you can add avocado to any fruit or fruit juice without significantly changing the flavor. This will add fiber and healthy fats to your drink. Spinach or other leafy greens can be pureed with fruit and yogurt to create a nutritious green smoothie without a strong vegetable flavor.
Another option is to add lime or lemon juices to brighten the flavor of a vegetable juice, increasing its appeal to your taste buds. Adding fresh ginger or garlic can give it a whole new twist. Herbs can also be juiced to change the flavor profile of a juice. Try basil, parsley, cilantro, or dill.
Vegetable juices can be incorporated into other recipes if desired. Use fresh vegetable juice as a base for lentil soup or vegetable soup, or in a vinaigrette or marinade. Pepper, tomato and cucumber juices can be combined with spices to make a delicious gazpacho.
Vegetable juice can even be used instead of water to cook rice or other grains. It can also be made into cocktails or used in place of water in almost any savory recipe.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to finding ways to incorporate vegetables into your diet. Through juicing, you can enjoy the critical nutrients of vegetables without unwanted vegetable flavors and textures.