You may think you don’t like vegetables, but finding the right vegetable juice recipes just might change your mind! Juicing vegetables might just 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 we should be consuming several servings a day. They are full of vitamins, minerals and important cancer-fighting compounds.
Unfortunately, to some people, vegetables just don’t taste good. Maybe the texture of boiled or steamed vegetables is disagreeable to you, or the sulfuric odor or flavor of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) turns you off. With any electric juicer you can transform you relationship to these nutrient-loaded plants through vegetable recipes aimed at vegetable-ambivalent taste buds.
Most people enjoy fruit juices, but the term “vegetable juice” conjures up images of V8 or other canned tomato drinks. Believe it or not, there is a whole world of juice-able vegetables that taste nothing like what you’d imagine. Whether alone or mixed with fruit extracts, even an avowed vegetable hater can partake.
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 for masking the flavor of other examples.
The first option for making 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 a little bit of green juice. Carrot and apple are a great combination for vegetable haters. Cherry or pomegranate juice are flavorful enough that a little bit of carrot or celery juice will be 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, avocado can be added to any fruits or fruit juices without changing the flavor significantly. This will add fiber and healthy fats to your beverage. 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 up the flavor of a vegetable juice, heightening its appeal to your taste buds. Adding fresh ginger or garlic can give it an entirely different 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 you so desire. Use fresh vegetable juice as a base for lentil soup or vegetable soup, or in a vinaigrette or marinade. Bell pepper, tomato and cucumber juices can be combined with spices to make a delicious gazpacho.
Vegetable juice can even be used in place of water to cook rice or other grains in. It can also become part of cocktails, or used in place of water in nearly 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 vegetables’ critical nutrients without unwanted vegetable flavors or textures.
