Beet and Apple Juice Blend

There are days when nothing seems to satisfy like a glass of cold juice. This juice is as beautiful to the eye as it is the palate. It’s a gorgeous blend of red beets, Honey Crisp apples and apple juice, along with sweet carrots, greens, strawberries, and a touch of brightness from the zest of a lime. It delivers a delicious, eye-popping “pick me up” that can handle any midweek slump!

Juice blends are wonderful options to your basic apple or orange juice and there are so many choices that you can be created. This blend starts with apple juice as a base. Fresh beets are added along with Honey Crisp apples, carrots, greens, lime zest, and strawberries – all coming together to create a naturally sweet beverage to start your day.

Some tips. If you can find beets with greens attached, definitely grab those and use the greens. You’ll want to wash them thoroughly. Like most greens they can have sand or grit attached to their leaves. To clean, fill your sink with cold, clean water. Swirl the leaves in the water, drain, rinse then do it again until you can no longer see or feel grit in the sink. Once cleaned, trim the tough center stem from the leaves.

You’ll want to be sure to wear food service gloves or trim and peel the beets under cold, running water. Otherwise, you will have slightly pink hands for a day or two! And maybe throw on an apron on to protect your clothes.

If you’re not a lover of pulp you can strain the juice by pouring it through a sieve or a single layer of cheesecloth, stirring with a spoon to push the juice through the pulp. The consistency of the juice unstrained is thicker, similar to a smoothie.

No juice boxes here, this will take your morning juice to a whole new level!

Beet and Apple Juice Blend

2 cups apple juice or apple cider

2 cups fresh beets, trimmed, peeled and cut into large pieces, about 2 large beets

2 carrots, scrubbed and cut into pieces, about 1 cup

Zest of 1 lime

2 small Honey Crisp apples, or your favorite sweet apple, cored and cut into quarters, about 2 to 2-½ cups

1 cup beet greens*, washed and center stems removed, packed when measuring

1 package frozen strawberries, 10-ounces

Pour the apple juice into the blender then add the beets, carrots, lime zest, apples, and greens.

Process, starting on low then raise the speed to high for about 30 seconds until blended.

Add the frozen strawberries and process starting on the low speed for about 10 to 15 seconds then raise the speed to high. Blend on high for about a 30 to 45 seconds or until very smooth.

*If you can’t find beets with the greens you can use fresh spinach. Makes about 6-½ cups of juice. Keep refrigerated and serve chilled.