Vanilla Smoothies

So, I wanted to serve some kind of vanilla milkshake with my orange rolls - the only problem was that you don't serve milkshakes for breakfast. So I decided by omitting ice cream, I could create a smoothie - perfect for breakfast. I have never seen a recipe before for a vanilla smoothie so I decided to invent my own. Here is the recipe I came up with and they were sure heavenly. This made about 5 servings.

Vanilla Smoothies

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup ice
• 1 banana
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk
• 2 cups vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup fat free milk

 In a blender add cream, sugar and vanilla. Blend for about 30 seconds until it turns to whipped cream. add ice. Blend another 15-30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Place in freezer for about 30 minutes before serving to get a frosty, thick smoothie.Enjoy!

Classic Orange Julius

 I remember the good old days when I used to work at the mall as a teenager. On my breaks I would walk over to the Orange Julius stand and order a refreshing Orange Julius.

Now those stands have all disappeared as Orange Julius is now a part of Dairy Queen. It has been years since I have enjoyed the creamy frothiness of an OJ. I found myself very much craving one the other day and decided I would make this beloved drink for my family.

Now, I have to say that all the recipes out there are some new modern version of the classic drink - but they are not the same. The original recipe contains egg whites or meringue powder and all the new recipes have replaced that with milk. This classic drink was created in the 1920's and there was no milk in the recipe.

If you are worried about raw egg, I suggest you use liquid egg whites in the carton as they have been pasteurized.

This makes 2 servings, so increase ingredients as needed.

Orange Julius

• 1 1/4 cups orange juice
• 1 cup water
• 3 Tbsp egg white
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups ice

In a blender, combine all of the ingredients except for the ice and blend on high for about 30 seconds. Add the ice and blend until cubes are crushed (another 20 seconds). Pour into glasses and serve. Enjoy!

Source: https://www.topsecretrecipes.com/Orange-Julius-Orange-Julius-Recipe.html

Five Minute Slushy

I could not believe how easy these are! Not only are they easy but the kids had so much fun making them. If your kids are bored this summer this gives them something to do and something to eat. My son has a slushy maker but it's so much work and you have to clean all the parts and it only makes a little bit. You spend about $25 buying one. This my friends, is much better!

I ended up saving the ice salt packs in the freezer and the cleaning out the gallon freezer bags so the kids can reuse them. Now that they know how to do this - they can do it themselves and they have quit asking for money every time the slushy truck comes through the neighborhood! Those slushies are $2-6 and a pitcher of koolaid is only 20 cents! Talk about a genius money saver!

I've been using tropical flavors and wowing our dinner guests with these babies! They are perfect with tacos and taco salads!

Five Minute Slushy

• 1 quart sized freezer bag 
• salt water
• 1 gallon sized freezer bag
• Koolaid

Take 1-2 Tbsp if salt and place in the quart sized bag. Fill with water and freeze. One bag is completely frozen take out of the freezer and place inside the gallon bag. Pour Koolaid into the gallon bag (making sure the frozen salt pack is sealed shut so it doesn't leak into koolaid). The less you pour in, the quicker it turns slushy. Seal the gallon bag and begin shaking! Try to grip the ice pack with the gallon bag as you shake or it could tear a hole in your gallon bag. Once the liquid turns slushy, take out the ice pack and scrape off the slush into a cup. Pour the rest into the cup. Enjoy!



Recipe found on http://charliebrownteacher.blogspot.com/2012/05/science-and-slushies.html

Slushy Peach Fizz

 On a hot day like today was, this drink sure hits the spot! My husband is not a fan of peaches but he couldn't get enough of this drink!


Slushy Peach Fizz

• 2 cups frozen peaches
• 1 can frozen limeade
• 1 2 liter sprite

Add ingredients in the order listed and fill sprite about an inch from the top. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

 

This is super easy to make and so delicious!! It has a tangy zing that will tickle your taste buds and is so refreshing!

Frozen Strawberry Zinger

1 can frozen limeade from concentrate
1 bottle sprite
1 cup ice cubes
2 cups frozen strawberries

 Place limeade, 6 cups of sprite, ice cubes and strawberries into blender. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

The Best Eggnog Ever! (made for eggnog haters)

Wow has it been a busy month, but I'm back! Here is a real treat for all you eggnog haters and lovers. My sister had told me about this brand of eggnog and how perfect it was. It's called Southern Comfort and I found it at Walmart and bought the Vanilla Spice flavor. Don't worry there is no alcohol in this it's found in the dairy section by the whipped cream.

This tasted like a vanilla milkshake whipped cream dream! If you have hated eggnog before or your family does, you have to try this! It's not rich and there is no strong nutmeg, egg flavor. Like I said tastes like a vanilla milkshake! I topped ours with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon. The kids couldn't get enough of this drink!

Italian Cream Soda

I served these at a party and they were a big hit! It's a creamy, bubbly, dreamy sensation! The vanilla syrup is a must - it makes the soda out of this world and gives it a velvety, sweeter creamy taste. Without it you may want to add some sugar.

Italian Cream Soda

• club soda
• whipping cream
• flavored syrup your choice (where snow cone machines are sold)
• Vanilla syrup (cooking specialty stores)
• Maraschino cherries
• crushed ice

Fill 8 oz (1 cup) cup with 1/4 cup of crushed ice. Add 1/4 cup of whipping cream. Fill glass up to an inch below the rim with club soda. Add 1 Tbsp vanilla syrup and 1 Tbsp of orange or berry syrup. Swirl with straw and top with a cherry!

Pineapple Whippy Floats

While at Disney Land this month we stopped by the Tiki Room to get in line and saw a concession stand where they were serving these fabulous floats. It was frozen whipped pineapple custard floating in fresh pineapple juice. It looked so heavenly. We were pressed for time so couldn't get any, but I promised myself I would recreate it at home.

Here it is!!

Pineapple Whippy Floats

• 1 container of Häagen-Dazs Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream
• 1 bottle Dole Pineapple Juice
• 1 bag frozen pineapple
• 1 jar Maraschino cherries

Fill glasses half way with pineapple juice. Add one large scoop of ice cream. Top with pineapple and cherries.

Harvest Hot Chocolate

I made this up for my kids and they loved it! It's a delicious sensation of cool chocolate mousse melting over warm pumpkin spice for a creamy treat!












Harvest Hot Chocolate

• Stephens Instant Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
• Milk
• 1 large container of cool whip
• 1 large box of instant chocolate pudding mix
• orange and brown sprinkles

Mix milk and hot chocolate according to directions on can and as to how many servings you want. Mix cool whip and half of dry pudding mix together (can add more to attain thickness you like). Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with chocolate whipped topping and sprinkles!

Starbucks' Caramel Apple Cider

For the first time in my entire life I finally experienced the caramel apple cider from Starbucks. I have heard about it for years and have always wanted to try it. The other night after ordering prescription medicine at the drive through window of a Walgreen's, I needed to kill some time while waiting for the prescription. I remembered that there was a Starbucks down the street and my husband had been saying all week that he was craving apple cider. So I went and picked some up. I was so sad that on the way home it tipped over and spilled all over the floor. It wasn't cheap so I didn't want to go back and get another. My husband loved the surprise even though there wasn't much left. The drink was so delicious, it tasted like liquid apple pie. I promised my kids I would recreate it and we'd have it all the time. So, I made it last night and everyone agreed it tasted exactly the same!

Starbucks' Caramel Apple Cider

• 1/2 gallon of Musselman's apple cider (must be cider not juice)
• 1-2 Tbsp Vanilla Caramel Creamer (Coffee-mate brand)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Whipped Cream

Heat cider in a large saucepan (avoid boiling point). Add creamer and cinnamon, stir well. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and cinnamon!!

Texas Twister

Have you ever had a Texas Twister? I have had them at carnivals and fairs. This top secret recipe has been reverse engineered and here is the closest version I have found!

Texas Twister

• 2 liter bottle lemon lime soda, chilled
• 1 can frozen fruit punch concentrate
• 1 jar maraschino cherries with juice
• sliced oranges, limes and lemons

Stir together all ingredients including cherry juice into large punch bowl. Squeeze some of the lemons, limes and oranges into punch.

The Best Strawberry Lemonade Ever!

In our house, food is what brings us together as a family. This is the perfect recipe to involve the whole family. My kids loved helping me make this!

My mom gave me a bag full of lemons and strawberries and told me to make strawberry lemonade. I found a recipe off of the Food Network and with a few minor changes I made to it, I have to say this is the best strawberry lemonade I have ever had! My kids couldn't stop drinking it. The recipe calls for mint and we happen to grow mint in our garden. The kids helped me snip some fresh sprigs and I taught them about mint leaves and what mint is used for. I find that when I cook with my kids they learn so much about science, chemistry, nature, nutrition, etc. It's fun! My son said, "Mom you are the best cook! You need to start a cooking school and teach kids how to cook"

The Best Strawberry Lemonade Ever!

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
• 2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda (optional)
• Ice
• Mint sprigs, garnish
• Whole strawberries, garnish

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Mince up a few mint leaves and add to liquid. Add the lemon peel and lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher (use a colander spoon to scoop out seeds and mint leaves on surface. Try to leave all other things like pulp and lemon peel in the drink).The lemon peel will turn into a delicious candy flavored ingredient.

In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries with a cup of the cooked mixture. Add to the pitcher with the lemon juice mixture. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.It will separate into three beautiful layers.

(I didn't use sparkling water and it tasted great!) Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve, garnished with mint and strawberries.

Berries & Cream Hot Chocolate

This pink goodness is perfect for Valentine's Day. I was wanting to make white hot chocolate from scratch and I thought to myself how yummy it would be to add berry flavor, so I went with raspberry. You could use strawberry as well and serve with a dish of fresh mixed berries and chocolates. I like to dip shortbread cookies in this delicious drink. This tastes even better cold as I found out the next day when I took it out of the fridge. Enjoy!

Berries & Cream Hot Chocolate

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tsp raspberry extract
• 8 drops red food coloring (optional)
  
• Fat free Ready Whip in a can(tastes like it's not fat free)
• Fresh raspberries for garnish
  

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously until white chocolate chips have completely melted. Stir in the half-and-half, vanilla and raspberry extract. Add food coloring. Stir occasionally until heated through. Pour into mugs and top with a dollop of whipped topping and raspberries.

Peppermint Eggnog Float

I used to hate eggnog especially as a child but over the years I have discovered with just the right variations, eggnog can be quite delicious. I was wanting to add peppermint extract this year and make a creamy, peppermint eggnog - then I cam across this recipe and read that people who usually hate eggnog love this drink. So I had to try it and take it to a Christmas party where I knew there would be lots of eggnog haters. Yes, it worked! They all loved it. The way the cold soda hits the ice cream and fizzes into a thick foam, the swirls of pink and white, and the delicious candy cane flavor as you stir your drink with your peppermint stick. It's an icy cold dream!!


Peppermint Eggnog Float

• 2 liter bottle of ginger ale
• 1/2 gallon of eggnog
• 1 container of Dryer's peppermint ice cream
• Candy canes/peppermint sticks

Reserve 3 scoops of ice cream in the freezer for later. Melt remaining ice cream to room temperature. Pour into punch bowl. Add eggnog and then ginger ale. Stir. Place frozen scoops on top and sprinkle with crushed peppermint pieces (the soft kind). Use candy canes to decorate the bowl and as stir sticks for the cups. Fill tiny glasses with drink and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Winter Berry Cider

This is a delicious change from the traditional apple cider. It's a little more tart but nonetheless delicious!! My told me to make a cider from cranberry-apple juice. Here is what I came up with!!

Winter Berry Cider

• 1 jug of apple juice
• 1 can frozen cran-apple juice
• 2 cans water
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp allspice

Mix together juice, water and spice. Simmer in crock pot on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to warm 30 minutes before serving. Add raspberries just before serving. Serve with gingerbread or ginger cookies.

Chilled Orange Cider

I made this up for my daughter's baby blessing a couple years ago. It's the perfect Fall drink. It's sparkling, refreshing and is always a hit!

Chilled Orange Cider

• 1 jug (56 oz) of Simply Apple Juice
• 1/2 can frozen OJ concentrate
• 2 liter bottle of Gingerale (or Sprite)
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Mix together and serve chilled.

Virgin Pina Colada

The Pina Colada is my absolute most favorite drink. I have created my very own recipe for it that I am told is better than any restaurant version. I have to agree. Drink your heart out!!














Virgin Pina Colada

• 1 cup ice
• 1 1/4 cup pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (sold on the Asian food isle - do not mistake for coconut juice)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 Tbsp white sugar
• Maraschino cherries
• Fresh pineapple cored and sliced

Blend together all ingredients but cherries and pineapple. Serve topped with whipped cream, cherries and fresh pineapple on rim of glass. Fun to serve in hollowed out pineapple or coconut halves. (Tip: I have made a variation where I added fresh coconut and pineapple blended into the drink. My guests liked it better that way because it added even more flavor, but the coconut leaves a texture and I like mine to feel smooth. Your choice!)

Sunshine Through a Straw

Whenever you have ample amounts of ripe fruit laying around and you don't know what to do - smoothies are your solution!

I created this delicious drink tonight that my family sucked clean through the straw and licked the glass. I found it to be the perfect fusion of spices and fruit; and mixed with some ice it was pure paradise!

Sunshine Through a Straw

• 1/3 of a fresh pineapple, peeled and sliced
• 1 mango peeled and sliced
• 2 bananas
• 1 cup of ice
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of plain yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• a dash of ginger
• cinnamon to garnish

Add first 6 ingredients to blender. Blend until smooth liquid. Add vanilla and ginger. Blend for 10 seconds. Pour into glasses and garnish with a swirl of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Fun with Pineapple and Mint (2 recipes)

In the summer I love mint and pineapple! These flavors combined make the ultimate cocktail of bliss for the taste buds. It is very refreshing and light – perfect for salads and drinks.

Today’s recipes feature a delicious smoothie and salad dressing. If you purchase your mint leaves, you can use the left over mint for a refreshing water drink. Sliced lemons , mint, and ice water in a pitcher makes a great thirst quencher in the hot summer.

Pineapple Mint Vinaigrette

In food processor combine:

· ½ cup pineapple juice

· 2 Tbsp rice vinegar

· 2 Tbsp oil

· 1 Tbsp fresh mint leaves

Pour over salad greens. I sprinkled craisins and shredded mozzarella on my greens. Is also great on grilled chicken.

Kiwi Mint Mixer

· 1 mango

· 4 kiwis

· 1 ½ cup pineapple juice

· 4 mint leaves

Peel mango and cut into slices. Scoop kiwi out of skins. Put all ingredients into food processor and blend well. Serve over ice or chilled.