Saturday, November 19, 2011

Pink Sangria

So quick and easy, there's never an excuse not to have a glass on hand. Super cool and refreshing. And pink! Pink is fun.

2 cans fresca
1 bottle white wine
1/4 cup each lemon and lime juices
1 grapefruit
2 tbs grenadine
Mix all liquid ingredients. Slice or squeeze grapefruit into mixture. Serve over ice.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Smoothies




I love smoothies. They taste so indulgent. Dessert in a glass. With a krazy straw. Of course. But they are also wonderfully healthy and filling. A perfect snack when real food doesn't sound good. A great way to use up stuff that's hanging out in the fridge.
 Here are a few of my yummy smoothies. I always have to share with at least one kid, so the servings are generous. I use almond milk, but you can use whatever milk you like.

Sweet Potato Pie
1/2 cup cooked sweet potatoes (mashed, pureed, baked, roasted, even jarred baby food)
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp butter flavoring
1/2 tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice
2 tbs dark brown sugar or 1tbs molasses
1/4 cup milk
LOTS of ice

Place all ingredients except ice in pitcher. Blend on high speed till smooth. It will take a while. Once smooth, add ice. Blend till frosty. Serve in a big glass with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Green Orange
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1tbs vanilla extract
handful raw greens (spinach, collards, chard, kale)
1/4 cup milk
1 tbs dark sugar (brown, honey, agave, brown rice syrup)
Lots of ice

Place all except ice in blender. Blend on high speed until there are no green bits visible. Add ice. Blend till smooth. Serve.
You really can't taste the greens. It has a very cool, Seuss-like quality, esp if you use spinach. Tastes exactly like an Orange Julius.

PB&J
1/4 cup peanut butter
2tbs Jelly, jam or preserves
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup milk
Ice
Blend every thing but ice till smooth. Add ice, blend. Serve.

Peanutbutter Cup
1/4 cup PB
1tbs cocoa powder
2tbs dark sugar
1/4 cup milk
Ice
Place all ingredients in pitcher, blend till smooth. Serve with a sprinkle of cocoa powder.



Pina colada
1/4 cup frozen pineapple concentrate
1/2 cup coconut milk
ice
Place all ingredients in pitcher. Blend till smooth.