Friday, May 24, 2019

Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie--A Seasonal Treat with Anti-Inflammatory Powers

Growing up near my grandma's farm, I learned a lot about unusual plants and using them for food. My grandma made all kinds of interesting treats. She'd send us outside to pick gooseberries for pie. We had a red currant bush in our yard and she would come over to pick the currants to make jam for us. We also had a rhubarb plant, from which she would take stalks to make rhubarb pie.

I didn't like rhubarb pie. While the pie was a custard, pudding-like consistency, the flavor was tart and had an odd mouthfeel. My dad loved rhubarb pie and since none of us would eat it, there was plenty for him.

My husband and his father also love rhubarb. I tried rhubarb in many different forms--pies, bread pudding, cake-- but was never able to feel the love for the ruby red plant.

Until now.



We have a rhubarb plant in our yard and this spring, the bright red stalks were too tempting for me to pass up. Strawberry and rhubarb go together like peanut butter and jelly, and the thought occurred to me--this could be a yummy smoothie combination, right? I tweaked the ingredients and came up with what I believe to be a winner.

Rhubarb is a leafy plant, but don't eat the leaves! They are poisonous. Only the ruby red stalks are edible. Rhubarb is full of anti-oxidants and is an anti-inflammatory food. Rhubarb can also help with gastrointestinal issues. There is a high level of Vitamin K in rhubarb which can help with bone health.

Don't eat the leaves!
See those beautiful red stalks? That's the money, right there...
Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits. I prefer organic strawberries, which seem to be more sweet than conventional. Organic strawberries are a safer choice because conventionally grown strawberries are one of the most pesticidal laden fruits on the market. There's no disputing that strawberries are a nutritional powerhouse. They are anti-inflammatory and have antioxidant properties. Strawberries are high in fiber and are loaded with vitamins. Even though they are low glycemic, their natural sweetness is the perfect foil for the tartness of rhubarb.

I added banana to this smoothie as a thickener. Bananas contain rutin, which is another substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Since bananas ripen so quickly, I end up cutting them into chunks and freezing them. When I'm using bananas in smoothies, I blend in some of the frozen chunks to help chill the smoothie.



Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie
Click to print recipe
anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, vegan
Ingredients
5-6 chunks frozen banana
2 ounces chopped rhubarb (about 2 stalks)
4 ounces chopped strawberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Nuzest)
1 tbsp flaxseed (I use Bob's Red Mill)
1-2 tsp agave syrup
1 cup milk of your choice (I use Ripple)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust liquids to desired consistency. Enjoy!

I'm fighting inflammation with this Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie!/via @oldrunningmom @Nuzest_USA @RippleFoods #runchat #inflammation #curearthritis

Have you ever had rhubarb? What is your favorite fruit combination? Stay tuned for my next smoothie, Dragon Fruit Berry!

I'm linking up with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness and with Deborah and Sarah for Meatless Mondays.


22 comments :

  1. I just had rhubarb for the first time when we went to the Spa this month. We went to a cooking demo and the chef made a strawberry rhubarb pie. I had never had it before so I didnt know what it was suppose to taste like. It was pretty good though.

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    1. I think it depends on what the rhubarb is mixed with. Rhubarb is pretty tart, but a fruit like strawberries really tames it!

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  2. Brilliant Post!! As A Kid, Couldn't Stand Yams At Thanksgiving And Rhubarb Pie. Now, I BBQ The Yams And EVERYTHING Seems Right For A Smoothie. Also, I Sure Enjoyed Your Beaver 5K Recap. I Am Looking Forward To Following Along Your Blog This Summer. Stay Strong & Thanx For Being You.

    Cheers

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    1. Well, thank you so much! I'm just chugging along trying to savor what is left of the runner in me!

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  3. I love the tangy taste of rhubarb. Every farm around here is selling it at a little roadside stand, it seems. So plentiful. I will definitely try this smoothie. I am trying to avoid excess sugar to lower my cholesterol, but 1 tsp doesn't sound so bad.

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    1. We have SO MUCH rhubarb. My husband is going to make something with it this weekend. He was beyond excited that I made a smoothie with it.

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  4. This is definitely a smoothie that I would try! I love rhubarb. I also love the gorgeous pink color of this smoothie!

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    1. I thought it looked a little like Pepto Bismol! LOL. But it sure tastes good.

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  5. I am not a smoothie person, but this looks delicious. I'm surprised you can use the rhubarb raw, but that's because I never cook with it. :-)

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    1. You can use it raw for the smoothie! I don't know how much you'd like it plain, tho.

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  6. Rhubarb and strawberries are a perfect combo, no doubt. I have a rhubarb/strawberry cobbler I have made that is pretty awesome (even the kids would eat it when they were young).

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  7. I'm not sure I've ever heard of a strawberry/rhubarb smoothies but it sounds really interesting! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  8. What a creative and interesting way to use Rhubarb! I have only cooked with it in soups and more savory meals. I will definitely try it this summer. Thanks for joining meatless Monday!

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  9. Rhubarb is common here in Upper Michigan. We harvest it continually in spring from our little patch in the garden until fall. We pkg it in 4 & 2 c. bags for the freezer so we can use it all winter. I've had a rhubarb punch, and my husband loves! strawberry/rhubarb pie. But a recent new recipe for rhubarb cake is tying for #1 with the pie. The cake could be made with blueberries too. I look forward to trying your smoothie - another way to use this fruit or vegetable - and more healthy foods to enjoy!

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    1. In addition to all the usual rhubarb recipes, my husband makes rhubarb pudding cake, which I love! Let me know how you like the smoothie!

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  10. I love rhubarb and just went out to check my plants this morning before coming in to sit down for breakfast. Not ready yet but soon and I cannot wait. Usually I make a strawberry rhubarb sauce that I put on everything, crumble, and a few other things. I never thought to blend raw rhubarb into a smoothie!

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    1. I have been looking forward to this smoothie and it was delicious, just like I remembered!

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