Tart pomegranate molasses & tahini give a Middle Eastern vibe to this healthy kale packed smoothie, which will get you well on your way to eating more veggies!
Drink Your Greens
A green vegetable containing smoothie is an excellent way to start the day, as it contains one portion of vegetables and one of fruit. I’ve often said that the simplest solution towards eating a better and healthier diet is to concentrate on eating more vegetables. Have a green smoothie for breakfast and crudités for a mid morning snack and you have had at least 3 portions before it is even lunch time!
I also think that there is something very positive about starting the day as you mean to go on; if you get ahead during the day what you eat in the evening won’t matter quite so much. Simply blend and enjoy, or pour into an insulated mug and enjoy on your commute.
Middle Eastern Treats
I love pomegranate molasses: one of my favourite recipes on the blog is my pomegranate roasted grapes served topped with slices of griddled halloumi. The contrast between the intense tart molasses, soft juicy sweet grapes and chewy, squeaky, salty halloumi is just gorgeous and something to celebrate. Of course I go through phases of eating it, but often have it twice in a week.
Tahini is made from toasted ground sesame seeds and is widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine; it’s essential to dishes such as hummus, baba ghanoush and halva. When you add just a little water or lemon juice the tahini will almost magically thicken. This makes it an excellent addition to dressings or soups – a trick I used in my butternut squash, tahini and lemon soup.
Pomegranate molasses and tahini go together exceptionally well, as ingredients from the same region so often do. I’m a bit obsessed with the pairing and used it in my yogurt, pomegranate molasses and tahini dip and my tahini and pomegranate vegan no mayonnaise potato salad.
I’ve continued my love of this pairing in this green smoothie; like all my smoothie recipes I try and cut back on the amount of fruit in favour of vegetables. In this case I’ve used leafy greens. A power blender will whizz them up into silky smooth perfection in no time. Tahini is a great addition, as it’s a good source of calcium if you are vegan or avoid dairy.
Fruit based smoothies are delicious but it are packed with sugar and will spike your blood sugar levels, shortly followed by a crash leaving you feeling hungrier than you were before. You can find my top tips for reducing the fruit in your smoothies here. My tips for becoming a hard-core green smoothie lover are below.
How to add more vegetables and leafy greens to smoothies
- Remember that you generally cannot taste a handful of leafy greens in a smoothie
- I find that leafy greens and berries just do not go well together
- Work up to it – if you are used to fruit based smoothies start using less sweet fruit
- Start with mild greens – baby spinach is ideal
- Follow up with regular spinach
- Use the leafy part of the greens to start with, add the stalks as you get used to it
- Blanching to remove some of the bitterness
- Add some mint to add extra flavour
- Cucumber is always an excellent smoothie ingredient
- Roasted butternut squash is another vegetable smoothie staple
- Keep a bag of frozen spinach in the freezer, defrost overnight in the fridge, squeeze and chuck into the blender
- Use a power blender for a silky smooth blend – a lumpy fibrous smoothie is horrible
Pomegranate Molasses & Tahini Green Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 handful leafy greens
- 1 dsp tahini
- 1 dsp pomegranate molasses
- 1/2 frozen banana ((peeled sliced))
- 6 frozen green grapes
- 250ml milk ((of your choice - I like coconut milk drink))
- 1 tbsp fine oatmeal ((optional))
- 1 tsp ground flax seeds ((optional))
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into a blender and whizz until smooth. Add more liquid if needed.
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet
Looks lush and super healthy too. Love the idea of using tahini in a smoothie.
Helen
I love tahini. So delicious.
Choclette
Yes to tahini and pomegranate molasses and how very clever of you to add them to a green smoothie. Love this idea.
Helen
I love the pairing, so good together.
Jen
I’m a big fan of tahini and pomegranate molasses together in a salad dressing but putting them in a smoothie is genius. I *think* I have all the ingredients ready to make this for breakfast tomorrow.
Helen
it is the perfect marriage of flavours.
Gingey Bites
I would never have thought about using pomegranate molasses or tahini in a smoothie but I’ll definitely try this recipe. I’m intrigued to know what it tastes like!
Helen
I think that it is the combination that makes it special. They work so well together
Charlie Gray
This sounds really good, despite the fact that I’ve never tried Tahini (I know!!) or Pomegranate Molasses! I do love a smoothie though and I love adding a handful of greenery to it!
I think the molasses sound nice though and perhaps it’s something I ought to get in!
Thank you, I’m always looking for new smoothie recipes!
Helen
The combined flavours do make it work so well.
Michelle | The Last Food Blog
Love this flavour combination! Also, what a great way to use up pomegranate molasses. This would make for a great start to the day :)
Helen
A most delicious start to the day.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
What a great strategy: a veggie-delivery smoothie for breakfast, then crudités for mid-morning snack—you’ve already packed in most of your vegetable servings for the day. BOOM! Like others here, I am intrigued by the combo of tahini and pomegranate molasses: I will definitely be trying this.
Helen
The tahini and pomegranate molasses is such a good mix.
Amanda
I’ve never thought to add tahini to a smoothie, what a fabulous idea! This smoothie sounds luxurious and packed with health benefits. Perfect way to start a Monday morning. I’m going to grab my jar of tahini now!
Helen
Tahini is so good, I love it.
Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
I love that you used tahini in here! This smoothie must have such a great earthy, nutter flavor and then with the slightly sweet pomegranate molasses. This sound delicious!
Helen
A really delicious flavour combination, goes so well together.
Lynne Harper
Yummy this looks incredible. I really need to up my smoothie game, they are so good for you and relatively easy to make. Thanks for the recipe x
Helen
Lots of nutrition packed in to a delicious smoothie.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I don’t think I’ve ever used tahini in a smoothie before, but it would add a richness, I’m sure! Lovely color!
Helen
The tahini is a great addition, I love it.
Cathy Glynn
I am a huge fan of tahini and never thought about putting it in a smoothie, this sounds delicious x
Helen
I love tahini, and goes so well in the smoothie. Certainly worth trying.
the Curious Pixie
This sounds and looks delicious. You’re so right people sometimes don’t realise how much sugar they’re consuming with the fruity smoothies. Veg smoothies with a hint of fruit all the way for me.
Helen
I really enjoy veg smoothies, so wholesome and tasty.
Rhian Westbury
I’ve never thought about just adding a handful of leaves into a smoothie as I assumed you’d be able to taste them x
Helen
As long as you have the flavour balance right, you don’t notice so much.
Kara
I have never tried a green smoothy, something about them puts me off but you have inspired me to give it a try
Helen
It is all about getting the balance right in flavour, which is where the molasses helps.
Angela Milnes
Wow, It really looks healthy and I would love to try this smoothie! I’m going to a healthy Life style!
Helen
Lots of good value nutrition in it.
Yaya
I really struggle with letting go of my fruit packed smoothies, but will heed your advice of getting started on green smoothies by reducing the sweet fruits I put in mine. :)
Helen
If you balance them out, and reduce how many fruit smoothies you have, then it is perfectly fine.
Ickle Pickle
Oooh this looks and sounds delicious! What a great combination of flavours. Kaz
Helen
The flavours go so well together, really lovely.