Santa's Sangria

Nothing says "Holiday" like a tall, fruity, alcoholic beverage. It's what Santa's drinking when he's not drinking cookie milk.

1 bottle cran raspberry juice
1 bottle blackberry wine
1 bottle mineral water
1 each, sliced, Orange, lemon, apple
1 handful raw cranberries

Stir all together in a tall pitcher (or very large, clean leftover punch bottle). Serve over ice. The longer it sits in the fridge, the better it tastes.
Very holiday.

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.

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.

Oreo Rice Krispie Treats

These are so much better than I expected. They have opened up a whole new world of treatdom to me. Expect LOTS more treat-based recipes from the Strawberry Mama in the near future.

This is a super fast and easy snack. I let the kids help. My 5yo broke up the cookies while my 8yo stirred the marshmallows. We took turns stirring and pouring and I did most of the eating in secret so they would catch me and demand some of my coveted yumminess.

1 package oreos

1/4 cup (half stick) butter

1 bag mini marshmallows (or regular)

3 cups (or so) Krispies

Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

Break cookies into quarters. Set aside.

In a large pot, over low heat, melt butter and marshmallows. Stir continuously until marshmallows are just melted. Remove from heat.

Immediately stir in cookies and krispies. Work fast, especially if it's cold in your kitchen. These set up quickly. You want the mixture to be a little on the dry side. If your marshmallow goop is still goopey, add a little more cereal. Be sure to coat every crumb.

Turn into pan. Press gently with damp hands. Let cool on counter, then chill in fridge one hour. Cut into squares and serve.

Milk booster bars

These are very nutritious for pregnant and nursing mamas, growing children and anyone who needs a power-packed snack. The oats may boost milk supply, the molasses is an excellent source of iron and the flax seeds are a great source of omegas. These bars are very dense and filling. Perfect for a quick breakfast on the go. The mild flavor is gentle on queasy tummies. Because of the honey, they are not suitable for babies under one year.

1/2 cup (1 stick) buttter or margarine

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 cup sugar

1Tbs cinnamon

3 cups oats (toasted if you like)

3 cups cereal-I used Honey Bunches of Oats, but any hearty, whole grain cereal or granola will work

1/2 cup nuts or seeds-I used flax

Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add honey, and molasses. Bring to simmer. Add sugar. Stir till dissolved. Remove pan from heat. Stir in cinnamon, oats, cereal, and nuts or seeds. Toss to coat well. Pour into pan and press firmly with buttered or wet hands. Let cool at room temperature approximately 30 minutes.
When cool, score with a large knife. I cut mine into granola bars, but squares are fine. Or diamonds. Or parallelograms. Whatever. They will be very rich, so keep them on the small side.
Place in the fridge to chill. Once cold, flip pan over and tip them out. Break into pieces along scorelines. Store in the fridge.

Fast, easy, fudgey brownies

I'm still working out the kinks in these, but they are good enough to share now.

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup oil
1 cup flour
8 tbs cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts or flax seeds
1/2 cup chocolate chips (any flavor)

Preheat oven to 325. Prepare 9x13 inch pan.
Put eggs, sugar, salt, oil, flour, cocoa, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth. Stir in nuts or seeds and chips.Pour into pan. Bake 30 minutes.

Tortilla Soup- Vegan, or Not

We love Tortilla Soup. It's so yummy and hearty, and tasty and healthy and easy and cheap. All the things a soup should be. This surprisingly flavorful soup can be prepared with no animal products, and you will never miss them. If you are of the omnivorous persuasion, any leftover meat-steak, chicken, pork, turkey, ground whatever-can be thrown in for a little extra flavor and protein boost.

1 medium onion, diced
1 large or 2 small poblanos, diced or one can green chilies
4 cloves garlic, minced
oil for sauteeing
dash of salt
2 tsp cumin
dash cayenne
one can of diced tomatoes, undrained or 2 cups vegetable juice
2-4 cups chicken broth, veggie stock, or water
1/4 cup masa harina or strips of 4 uncooked corn tortillas
1 cup cooked (or sprouted) beans or meat or both
handful of tortilla chips

To serve:
diced fresh tomato
shredded lettuce
diced onion (I especially like red onions)
chopped fresh cilantro
guacamole
diced avocado
sour cream
shredded cheese

Heat soup pot and oil. Gently sautee onions, chilies, and garlic, sprinkled with salt to draw out moisture.

When onions are translucent, add cumin and cayenne to taste.  Cook and stir one minute to release the flavors.

Add juice or tomatoes, and broth, stock or water. If using dry masa, mix with a few tbs cold water, then add to pot. If using fresh masa or tortilla strips, add directly to pot. Add beans and/or meat. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes or more. Soup will thicken as masa cooks. If it gets too thick, add more water. Tortillas will soften and break apart. This is good. You want this.

To serve, spoon into bowls. Garnish with desired toppings, and a few tortillas chips for crunch.