Being vegan is an overall lifestyle and Claire, author of Elderberry Arts, is an example of such living. Claire is a vegan artisan who write and makes jewelry. Today, she is sharing a vegan protein smoothy recipe with us. Check out her blog, her Hub Page, and follow her on Twitter. Please welcome Claire!
A delicious smoothie with a bit of a vegan protein kick that could be great for a quick vegan breakfast or snack. The smoothie is gluten/wheat/soya and nut free and lasts well for a day or two in the fridge. Be sure to place it in a sealed container or bottle as the berries mean that it can stain if spilt.
Makes approximately 500ml/2 servings
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 average sized banana1 cup summer fruits
1 tbsp. vegan protein powder
1/2 cup spinach
In order, place the ingredients into a blender jug. If your blender has a setting for smoothies select that and blend. If not simply blend the vegan protein smoothie until smooth.
Strain through a muslin, jelly bag or fine sieve to remove the seeds, if desired and serve.
Hints and Tips
If you do not have a high powdered blender you may need to remove the spinach stalks before adding them to the jug.
If you like your smoothies thicker you can reduce the water to 1/2 cup. Using a larger banana will also produce a thicker smoothie though will also give it a more banana taste.
For a thinner smoothie simply add more water at the start or after blending. If you unsure how much extra water to add then it is best done after blending as you can stir in small amounts at a time and monitor the thickness easier. Make a note of the total water used for an easier smoothie next time you make this vegan protein smoothie.
If you have a high powered blender capable of crushing ice you can also add 2-3 ice cups to the recipe to thin it or make an ice cold smoothie.
Vegan Protein Powders
There are several different protein powders available that are suitable for vegans. These include pea protein, soya, hemp and rice proteins. It is also possible to buy a mixed protein that is made from a variety of ingredients including lentils, beans and seeds. Each powder has a different nutritional profile and the protein content can vary, along with the amount of carbohydrates, fat and calories in each serving. Price also vary depending on type and brand. Some of the powders, such as hemp have a distinct taste of their own whereas pea protein for example is more neutral. In some cases vegan protein powders can be bought ready flavoured. These can be great for making quick shakes just buy mixing with water or dairy free milk or can add additional flavor to smoothies and green shakes.
Although not entirely vegan, this men’s fitness site has some more detailed information on many vegan and vegetarian protein powders.
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