cucumber, green grape + avocado smoothie

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting an avocado breakfast with Chicago’s very own breakfast queen, Ina Pinkney. Amongst the various avocado breakfast dishes Ina served was her take on an avocado Bloody Mary, which she called a Guaca-Mary. The genius creation was a blend of cucumber, green grapes, avocado and a hint of heat, a refreshing alternative to the tomato-heavy drink I would never refer to as palate-cleansing. I was blown away by the combination of cucumber and grapes, so I recreated the combination and focused on the sweet rather than the spicy.

I made this smoothie with my immersion blender (which I love more and more each time I use it) and I was impressed by how well it pureed the cucumber. Once I added the juicy grapes, it was a piece of cake to blend.  I tasted the cucumber and grape to see if I really needed the avocado and it was delicious, a really beautiful flavor, but it did need avocado for a little bit of body. The tiny bit of avocado really tied the whole drink together; it was creamy but by no means heavy. I never thought of using cucumbers as a base for a smoothie and the grapes really add so much sweetness. I have to say, this is just the most perfect smoothie and I wouldn’t mind making this a regular in my breakfast routine.

cucumber, green grape + avocado smoothie

inspired by Ina Pinkney

makes about 2 cups

ingredients

• 1-1/4 cups chopped seeded cucumber (about 1 large)
• 1-1/2 cups halved green grapes
• 1/4 cup diced ripe avocado (about 1/4 of a large avocado)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup ice
• 1 teaspoon agave, if needed

instructions

1. In a blender, puree cucumbers and grapes.
2. Add avocado, water and ice; whirl until smooth.
3. Taste; add agave if necessary. Blend.

Tags: avocado shake, avocado smoothie, cucumber grape smoothie, cucumber juice, cucumber smoothie, grape smoothie, green juice, green smoothie, sweet avocado smoothie

• January 28, 2012
• beverage, snack, sweet, vegan, vegetarian
• 3 Comments