This is not a cheeseburger.
This is not bacon. These are not peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes.
These are not doughnuts nor french fries.
Oooh how I wish these were all of those things.
Instead… this is health. It’s health that tastes good and makes our bodies feel like they can leap like superheros, with x-ray vision, and super strength.
It’s ok that this smoothie doesn’t taste like chocolate… mostly ok.
I really love going out to eat. Sure… that’s an easy thing to say. But I LOVE it!
When you go out to eat there’s French fries! Blue cheese in your salad! And bacon that you didn’t have to cook yourself! It’s absolute magic. Until the bill comes… that’s just real life.
When I’m home… not at a restaurant… not eating French fries and bacon… I drink a lot of smoothies.
Kale Spinach and Pear Smoothie. Peanut Butter Banana and Oat Milkshake. Super Citrus Smoothie.
Smoothies satisfy my desire to throw things in a blender and trick myself into thinking I’m drinking a milkshake.
Good heavens. I have a problem.
I realize that this might seem like an odd combination of ingredients for a smoothie. It is. It’s the cucumber. Weird, right!?
Believe it or not, cucumber thickens the smoothie! It also adds lots of hydration and potassium. It’s a total secret weapon.
This smoothie has just a hint of sweetness… and it doesn’t take like a big bunch of vegetables. Strawberry sweet with creamy almond milk, and mellow mellow cucumbers.
Cucumbers add an interesting texture to the smoothie. It’s slightly more slippery. Like we added a touch of gelatine to the smoothie. But! It’s all natural and just the way that cucumbers work.
English cucumbers (hot house, that is) are the best for this smoothie. The skin is thin and can be blended smooth. Cucumbers with thicker skins should probably be peeled.
Deseed the cucumbers. Chop into big chunks. Blend with frozen strawberries and cold almond milk. Add a touch of raw honey. It’s simple and delicious.
Strawberry Cucumber Smoothie
serves 2
inspired by VegeterianTimes
a heaping 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
1 cup cold almond milk
half an English (hot house) cucumber, deseeded and chopped into large chunks
1 to 2 tablespoons honey
a squeeze of lemon if you’d like
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend! Add more almond milk as necessary, depending on your desired consistency. You can also enjoy the smoothie made with frozen blueberries or blackberries.
Amanda Bimble
I have to admit I am not 100% sure on this one. But I am nothing if not a brave lady, so I shall pop these goodies into the blender and have a taste. I have some lovely fresh cucumbers from the garden so this will be a great way to use one up!
Alicia @ Treble Tart
Oh dang. This looks so good. I was actually just thinking about smoothies, believe it or not! Now I really want one… Thanks a lot, Joy! ;)
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
I am so intrigued! The cucumber cocktails I’ve tried have been delicious and refreshing so I bet it really would be good in smoothie form… even if there isn’t any alcohol involved:-)
Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are}
This looks perfectly refreshing! I love the addition of cucumber – it doesn’t seem so strange, it just adds a sort of “fresh” flavor, right? I need to get me some almond milk and hop on the bandwagon I think. My diet could use a little boost!
Fred @ Savorique
And actually for those who are a little reluctant about almond milk, it can be substituted for rice milk, but it’s less thick.
Jessica Ann (@peonyfish)
There is only one vegetable that I hate, and that is cucumber. I used to also hate beetroot, but I like that now. So I guess I should say cucumber is a vegetable I don’t like yet (although I think it is technically a fruit? Or a berry?). Anyway, this looks like a good entry level cucumber recipe.
Kathryn
I only ever use cucumbers in a gin and tonic but I should probably do something a bit healthier with them shouldn’t I? This smoothie is a great combination of flavours!
leaf (the indolent cook)
I like making smoothies too. I’ve made similar flavour combos before so I can totally go with this.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
English cukes do have that sort of gelatine-ish quality about them. I’ve never blended them or juiced them, only “regular” cucumbers.
I love the strawberries in this.
Now, if the weather could just warm up here in “cold” San Diego, I could go to town on this without my teeth chattering :)
Maureen
I feel healthier just for looking at the photos. Yummy.
Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
This sounds refreshing and delicious! I need more fruits and vegetables in my life…I think it’s time to get on the smoothie bandwagon.
Caz
This looks so healthy Joy. I have almond milk in the cupboard and berries in the freezer, I just need the cucumber and I’m good to go!
jess
this is awesome, i’ve been on a total smoothie kick the last week or so. i usually add a handful of spinach to mine. i’ll have to try the cucumber, which i actually have in my fridge right now. do you think this would work with mixed frozen berries?
Jessica
Well as long as its going to give me X-ray vision I can totally pretend it’s a burger. :-)