It’s technically soup and stew season but I have to share this Mixed Berries & Pea Shoot Smoothie before it goes into my draft and sits there forever. With the opening of The Table – Market + Culinary Studio this past month, life has been busier than ever but in a really really good way. I am surrounded by seasonal products, locally made crafts, and a community who understands the grit of small business. I am learning something new everyday – in the form of seasonal produce, local crafts, and their stories to why they do what they do every.single.day. I hope to capture some of those essence in my recipes or simply introduce new-to-me products with everyone.

Talking about new-to-me ingredients, remember the Microgreens Cashew Spread I shared last year? I am sharing another greens today – pea shoots in the form of Mixed Berries & Pea Shoot Smoothie. It’s a nice switch up from your spinach or kale and nutritionally speaking, it provides an excellent amount of vitamin C, K, folate, and many phytonutrients.

Pea shoots are young and tender upper leaves with soft stems of pea plants like snow or snap peas. They can be quickly sautéed or stir-fried or served raw in salads. I love that they have a mild flavor so it can be incorporated in many dishes and introduced to people who are new to the world of “greens”.

If you are new to the world of smoothies or want to simplify your smoothie routine, I suggest you check out my previous post on Make Ahead Smoothie Packs – these are freezer friendly, make-ahead smoothie packs that are ready to go for you!

Mixed Berries and Pea Shoot Smoothie I am a simple, dairy-free version with peanut butter but please feel free to use the suggestions provided and make your own version to suite your taste, ingredients you have on hand, and lifestyle preference.

Mixed Berries and Pea Shoot Smoothie

For 1 serving

Ingredients
good handful of pea shoot
1.5 cup real coconut water (use the one with no added sugar)
1 cup of frozen mixed berries
2 tablespoon peanut butter (get the all natural kind with no sugar or palm oil added)

Directions
In a blender, add pea shoot with 3/4 cup coconut water and blend everything together.
Add frozen mixed berries and peanut butter with remaining coconut water.
Taste and adjust peanut butter or add honey or maple syrup if you like sweeter smoothies. Add more coconut water if needed.

Recipe suggestions:

• Instead of coconut milk, you can use dairy or non-dairy milk.

• Peanut butter can be substituted with other nut/seed butter such as almond, sunflower butter, tahini.

• To add creaminess, banana or avocado can be used.