If you’re someone who loves the kick of hot green peppers but you have to avoid nightshades, try this smoothie. No pepper, no nightshades, no dairy, no gluten … just smooth, hot and sweet, and delicious, plus packed with nutrients. It’s a good wake-me-up in the morning or pick-me-up in the afternoon.
The mustard green leaves are soft enough to create a velvety smoothie, and they give you that peppery burn at the back of your throat. This recipe has a nice, moderate level of heat; if you want a real blast, do the Hot Hot variation.
Yields about 1½ cups
Time: 20 minutes
4 to 8 dried dates, depending on your penchant for sweetness
¾ cup fresh orange juice or apple cider
1 ripe banana, fresh or frozen
½ cup firmly packed stemmed mustard green leaves
Soak the dates in hot tap water for about 15 minutes; drain and chop. Put the dates, juice or cider, banana, and mustard leaves into a blender and whirl at high speed for a minute, until smooth. At first, you might think there isn’t enough liquid, but give it time to “work.” Then, if the finished smoothie is thicker than you like, add some more juice.
• Hot Hot: Increase the mustard greens to 1 cup firmly packed and the liquid to 1 cup; yields a generous 2 cups, enough to serve two.
• Use half an avocado instead of a banana.
• In place of dates, use 10 to 12 seedless red or green grapes, fresh or frozen.
• Use other juices, such as pear, cranberry, white grape, etc., or coconut water or milk (dilute coconut milk with half water).
Peppery Green Smoothie, No Pepper is an excellent starter to be followed by eggs and potatoes. End with a bowl of sweet cherries or peaches.