Earlier this spring, I was preparing to make a blueberry smoothie. I gathered all the usual ingredients but I just couldn't get excited about blending them all together. I was in a smoothie rut and I'd been there for a while. All winter, it seemed like I was making the same rotation of smoothies, week after week after week...
You get me, right?
I asked myself how I could tweak this old standby, the blueberry smoothie, into something fresh and exciting. And then I had a thought.
Wouldn't it be great if it tasted like blueberry pie? Blueberry pie, you say? Tell me more...
Blueberry pie is a favorite at my house. When my boys were little, blueberry pie was always a hit. My oldest son called it 'blue pie' and even though he's all grown up and living on his own, we all still use the term 'blue pie' when I'm serving it for dessert.
For this blueberry pie smoothie, you can use fresh or frozen blueberries. The advantage of frozen fruit is that it's easy to keep on hand and it makes the smoothie cold. My favorite frozen blueberries are Wyman's frozen wild blueberries. I usually can find them at my local Jewel (Alberson's) or Target, but if you chase the link there's a store locator so you can find them near you. Wild blueberries are naturally sweeter than conventional blueberries, meaning you don't need to add much if any sweetener when you use them in recipes. They are smaller, so there is a more intense blueberry taste. They are also healthier with higher concentrations of anti-oxidants.
In case you didn't know this, one of the key ingredients to blueberry pie is lemon juice. The acid in the lemon juice balances out the sweetness of the fruit. Lemon juice also enhances the blueberry flavor and helps to thicken the filling of the pie. When you're eating blueberry pie, you shouldn't taste the lemon flavor, but if it's not in the pie, you'll notice something isn't right. When I was crafting my blueberry pie smoothie recipe, I made sure to add lemon zest as well as lemon juice. Bingo!!! My smoothie went from a somewhat cloying blueberry drink to a well-balanced blueberry-flavored treat.
To give my smoothie an authentic pie crust taste, I added flaxseed as my ingredient for pie crust. Amazingly, not only did it taste more like a slice of pie, but flaxseed is also a nutritional powerhouse, providing fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Flaxseed helps slow digestion and can help you feel fuller for longer.
My smoothies always contain a scoop of vanilla protein powder (I use Trader Joe's) because I need the extra protein in my diet. The vanilla in the powder gives the smoothie a little 'ala mode' flavor, if you're so inclined to put vanilla ice cream on your pie! Other optional add-ins include maca powder, beet root powder, and agave syrup. You can't taste these in the mix and they give an additional nutritional boost to the smoothie.
But I wouldn't fault you at all for putting a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top!
I just LOVE this smoothie. |
Tastes Like Blueberry Pie Smoothie
Click to print recipe
anti-inflammatory, vegan
1 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
1 tbsp. ground flaxseed ( I like Bob's Red Mill)
1/4 tsp lemon zest
juice of half lemon
1-2 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp. maca root powder (optional)
1 tsp beet root powder (optional)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
1/2-1 cup milk (I use Ripple)
Add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth. Adjust liquid as necessary. Enjoy!
Do you like blueberry pie? Do you add lemon juice to yours? What secret ingredients do you add to your smoothies? Would you top yours with vanilla ice cream?
A blueberry smoothie that tastes like pie? You have to try it! /via @oldrunningmom @RippleFoods @BobsRedMill #running #runchat #smoothie #curearthritis
I am eating blueberries (and pomegranates) as I'm typing this!(although they're not the healthy wild ones).
ReplyDeleteI have lemons, flaxseed and milk in the house...Guess what I'm going to try later this afternoon?
I'm sure this is going to taste super-delicious. Thanks for the tip, Wendy!
You have to let me know what you think! I think it's sooooo good!
DeleteThis sounds refreshing! We have blueberries on hand all the time now (we're boarding the youngest daughter's two guinea pigs, while she's at school, and the berries are a staple in their diet). Lemon zest is a great additive for a huge boost of flavor!
ReplyDeleteLucky guinea pigs! Cocoa actually loves them too.
DeleteYUM! I usually make smoothies with berries and a frozen banana. I've never tried the lemon juice/zest, but now I will! Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a delicious change of pace from the usual banana and berry smoothie.
DeleteI’ll will be trying this. Sometimes I put chocolate almond milk in place of regular almond milk in my berry smoothies.
ReplyDeleteI do that sometimes or I'll add cacao powder for that chocolate taste.
DeleteI tried your smoothie. I do like the added lemon. :-)
DeleteNice flavor contrast, right?
DeleteI would probably top it with a little whipped cream maybe, not ice cream -- it also gives it a creamy taste! I'm with Denise, I love using chocolate nut milk in smoothies. Although I tend not to do smoothies so much right now -- except when it's really hot like this!
ReplyDeleteI thought about whipped cream, but we have our pie with ice cream here.
DeleteI don't dislike smoothies. I jut NEVRR make them. I used to get them after a run from Starbucks (chocolate banana) but they no longer make them and I now work from home. sigh.
ReplyDeleteBut yours does sound delicious.
After my diagnosis with RA, I started eating smoothies as an attempt to get more fruits and veggies in my diet. It's an ever evolving project.
DeleteThis smoothie looks so refreshing! I'm also in a bit of a smoothie rut so this is the perfect new recipe to try - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI needed something new to add to the rotation! Let's see what I come up with next...
DeleteI've been getting tired of the smoothies I usually make too. This sounds great! I had no idea lemon was a key ingredient in blueberry pie. I need to remember to get some of these ingredients so I can try this.
ReplyDeleteBlueberries are one of my favorite fruits and they are so versatile too!
DeleteI Love Summer Smoothies - All Fruits, Spinach, And Kale Is Welcomed - Picking Seeds From My Teeth Doesn't Bother Me In The Slightest - Fantastic Post - Tell The Hubby That I Said YO And Get To Some Feet Rubbing
ReplyDeleteCheers
I love all the fresh fruits and veggies I can get my hands on!
DeleteGreat post! I always drink smoothies. Now I tell my wife about your recipe, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI hope she likes it!
DeleteI agree lemon juice elevates so many recipes and gives it that little extra zing. Looks super refreshing and delicious
ReplyDeleteI had one this morning and it just hit the spot!
Deletethis looks delicious. Thanks for sharing Wendy! I definitely get bored of the same smoothies over and over!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to switch it up from time to time.
DeleteFirst of all, I LOVE your intro to this piece!!!! Secondly, I'm embarrassed to share but I've never heard of blueberry pie! I'll be trying that smoothie out though - sounds and looks delish!
ReplyDeleteFruit pies are a totally American thing...so I'm not surprised, lol! Crust on the bottom and on the top, filled with fruit filling and baked in the oven. So good!
DeleteI love blueberries and blueberry pie! I'm going to have to try this smoothie, with lemon juice.
ReplyDeleteI think it could be topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, why not :) I had an interesting ice cream this week, with all kinds of toppings, which got me inspired!
My favorite ice cream topping is hot fudge....
DeleteI do love blueberries. I bet this tastes incredible!
ReplyDeleteI think it does!
DeleteI am not a fan of blueberry pie but do like smoothies. I go back with forth with having a smoothie or oatmeal for breakfast. I had forgotten about adding ground flaxseed and now will need to remember to add it.
ReplyDeleteI like oatmeal too, especially in the winter!
DeleteI runfess I've never made a blueberry pie but blueberries are always in my smoothie! So is ground flaxseed. So good!
ReplyDeleteWhat? Never?!
DeleteI share Marcia's runfession - while I'm a big fan of all things blueberry, I've never made a blueberry pie. Looking forward to trying this smoothie - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI just can't believe it! Let me know what you think.
DeleteI love blueberry pie - and always add lemon to make the flavor pop. This smoothie sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI had it again this morning and yep, YUM!
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