So this will be thelast of mylime posts. Having just a few limes left, this is what I came up with for my final creation. I wasn't in the mood for something big and time consuming and Peanut was wanting to go outside and swim in her little pool. Plus, I had a new magazine that was calling my name, so time was not on my side.
This was super easy, super refreshing, and there is no sugar added! How about them apples limes?
Summertime Limeade
5 cups water
2/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
4 teaspoons Stevia powder (I get mine in a big container from Trader Joe's)
Stir all ingredients together. Add additional Stevia if more sweetness is desired. Enjoy!
I realize I might just be the last person on the face of this earth to try my hand at making smoothies. If not the last, then probably the second to the last. I see lots of different blogs that make them and that have them on their menu rotation, my sister makes them, my sister in law makes them, our friends make them--I know they are nothing new. Yet, I had still never tried it. I think it's because I thought of them as breakfast thing and the idea of something cold and frosty first thing in the morning did not appeal to me at. all.
And wouldn't you know it, making smoothies all came about because I am cheap frugal and didn't want these to go to waste. All that effort I put into my first ever round of canning and come to find out I don't really care for canned apricots. I like them fresh, but canned? Not so much. Perhaps I processed them too long (although I don't think I did), but they sure don't hold up as well as a canned peach. They were pretty mushy. So there sat about 18 jars of canned apricots and I certainly didn't want them to go to waste. They were organic after all. (And in retrospect, maybe that's why the gal at the orchard mentioned that she always froze them or made fruit leather with her apricots....maybe she didn't care for canned ones either. Hmmmm......)
Anyhow, so I drug out my food processor (I have a blender that is somewhere in the depths of our basement) and attempted my first round of smoothies. Oh, and boy, are they good! Peanut was a big fan too.
Breakfast (or any other time) Smoothies
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries (you could use fresh of course, but you may want to add more ice for a more frozen consistency? I'm not sure....)
1/2 cup canned apricots
2 bananas (peeled of course)
1/3 cup frozen blueberries or blackberries
1/2 cup plain, cream top yogurt
1 Tbsp honey
Since I am using a food processor, I usually add my ice and chop/process that for about a minute, then add my frozen strawberries, and process until those are finely chopped. Then I add everything else and process until smooth. If you are using a blender, from what I understand, you can just add it all in there and blend away until smooth. This makes about three tall glasses~about 30 ounces of smoothie.
Really, there are no rules when it comes to smoothies. This is just what has worked for me so far. I just picked up some frozen organic mangos and peaches on sale and plan to throw those into the rotation. Plus, as spring and summer get here, I know I will be looking for discounted produce that is a little past it's prime. Just add lots of fresh/frozen fruit with a little yogurt and ice and some sweetener (if needed) and process/blend away. Smoothies are pretty much fool proof.
Oh and last but not least...did you make too much? Pour your leftovers in popsicle molds for a quick and easy snack for the littles. I got that idea from my sister in law--what a fabulous way to use it all up!
What can I say? This is a staple at our house now. My wonderful friend referred me to this blog and I have been following it ever since. I love the organic part of it, I love her photos, and her recipes all sound so wonderful. I haven't quite got to her level of organicity (yes, that's a word--at least to me), although one day I hope to when the budget allows. I haven't purchased store bought coffee creamers in awhile, but it was always more of a cost thing--then when Carrie mentioned that most don't even contain cream or milk, that just cemented my decision even further!
My personal favorite is the French Vanilla, while the Hubby's favorite is the Peppermint Mocha. The Chocolate Almond is very good as well. Carrie also just had a new post last week for two new creamers that readers suggested she make a version of and the Carmel Coffee Creamer with homemade caramel sounds won.der.ful. Haven't tried that one yet, but I know I will--caramel isn't Hub's favorite (yes, I know) so that is the only reason holding me back.
But then I guess that means more for me, so I really don't know why I am waiting...
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons cacao (I used standard, unsweetened cocoa powder--I told you I wasn't at that level yet)
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
In a two quart saucepan over medium heat, whisk together milk, cream, maple syrup, and cacao. When mixture begins to bubble around the edges of the pan, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peppermint extract. If desired, strain through a fine mesh sieve and pour into a glass bottle and store in the refrigerator.
My dear friend treated me to a Sonic limeade a couple of weeks ago and can I just share that it was absolutely FAB.U.LOUS? It's all I think about when I am out and about running errands trying to justify my "need" to purchase one. Good thing the closest Sonic to me is all the way across town. A&W has a limeade as well (which isn't quite as good IMHO) but is only about a mile away. So after three days last week of "justifying" myself, I decided to try making them at home. Not too bad if I do say so myself! All I had were raspberries, and it was quite tasty. And probably much fresher.
You will need:
Limeade (I just used the frozen concentrate, mixed as directed)
Lemon Lime Soda
Raspberries
Sugar
Lime for Garnish (of course that is optional--it just makes for pretty picture)
To start, I had some raspberries in my freezer that needed using up and also needed to thaw for this purpose. So I took about 3/4 cup and generously sprinkled with sugar:
Once these thawed, I mashed them up and tasted them. Still a little tart, so I was generous with the sugar once again.
To mix the drink, fill a glass with ice. I found the best ratio is 1 part limeade to 2 parts soda. Then add about a tablespoon of raspberries and mix thoroughly. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
This recipe is linked to Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap.
