drink essentials: v8 recipe substitute

29 Pinches 14 Photos
Wichita, KS
Updated on May 6, 2018

I do not make this recipe to drink; although you could. My main purpose for making this is for substituting in a recipe when it calls for V8, as in my spicy Spanish rice (a recipe I will post later). And, if I may say, this makes for a EXCELLENT Bloody Mary... Oh Yeah. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

prep time 5 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top
yield Several

Ingredients

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 can, with juice
  • 1/2 cup carrot, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, kosher variety
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 1/2 cups water, divided
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 1/4 cup spinach, chopped, frozen is fine

How To Make drink essentials: v8 recipe substitute

  • Step 1
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • Step 2
    To make this recipe you will need a really good blender… like a Vitamix.
  • Step 3
    Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
  • Step 4
    Add half the water, and all the ingredients, except the spinach, to a saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Step 5
    Mix, and allow the mixture to come up to a light simmer.
  • Step 6
    Cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Step 7
    Add the spinach.
  • Step 8
    Cover, and continue to simmer for an additional 5 – 6 minutes.
  • Step 9
    Remove from the heat, and cool for 5 - 6 minutes.
  • Step 10
    Add to a blender, with the other 3/4 cup water, and blend, blend, blend.
  • Step 11
    Chef’s Note: At this point you have two choices: 1. You can run the mixture through a strainer 2. You can skip the strainer, and keep the pulp Suggestion: If you have a really good blender, then there is no need to strain; however, if your blender is not all that great, and there are bits of veggie in the liquid, you might want to strain.
  • Step 12
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • Step 13
    Place in a tightly-glass container, and store in the fridge for 7 – 10 days.
  • Step 14
    Use whenever a recipe calls for V8 (like Spanish rice), or just pour into a glass and drink. Enjoy.
  • Step 15
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
  • Step 16
    Additional Tips: Hat's off to Terri who suggested adding some beets to the recipe to make it more red. If red is what you are looking for, then add about 1 - 2 tablespoons of beets to the recipe at step 4. It will not change the taste, but it will give you that more distinct "red" color. Thanks Terri for that valuable tip. In addition, once the recipe has had a chance to sit in the fridge for a day, the vegetable fibers will begin to absorb moisture. If you are using it (like I do) in a recipe, that is not a problem. If, however, you want to drink it, then you might want to add a bit of water to thin it out.

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