Fruity-licious

Going to a coffee morning with some of my dear playgroup friends today, but I didn't bake.  I'm thinking of taking fruit and a dip--caramel and apples and/or fruit and one of these creamy, sweet dip.  Sure, fruit this time of year doesn't need dip, but it's a special gathering and these are all yummy.  Now I just have to choose.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Sour Cream and Cinnamon Fruit Dip

Using Penzey’s cinnamon makes this an almost spicy dip, which I first served for Applepalooza 2008.

8 oz. carton (1 c.) dairy sour cream

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine in a small bowl. Cover. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors. Serve with fresh fruit (1 cup).

cooks.com

-=-=-=-=-=-

Mama Teacher's Famous Fruit Dip

I love, love, love this dip.  And finally got the recipe for it on the last day of the year 2008!

2-6 oz containers Yoplait Light Yogurt, Very Vanilla

2 tablespoons fat free cream cheese

1 teaspoon cinnamon

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine all ingredients.  Heat for 45 seconds in microwave.  Stir an dmicrowave an additional 40 seconds.  Serve with fruit for dipping.

Mama Teacher

-=-=-=-=-=

Patricia’s Fruit Dip

I tried my first nectarine with this dip—and now I like nectarines a lot!  From that trip to San Antonio with my friend Sharon.

8 oz. block of cream cheese, softened

1 jar (16 oz.) marshmallow cream

            Blend and chill.

my college roommate

                                                                                                          

Smoothie Operator

As you've no doubt noticed, I've become a bit obsessed with smoothies and my new Ninja blender, trying new combos practically everyday--just in time for summer!  Here are my attempts thus far, which I'll update periodically, as necessary.

Make Your Own Smoothie

1 1/2-2 cups frozen fruit (or mix of fresh and frozen, with ice cubes for thickness)

1/2-1 cup dairy or non-dairy (milk, soymilk, almond milk, yogurt, even silken tofu)

1 1/2 cup additional liquid like juice or nectar (mango nectar, orange juice, soda, tea)

1-2 tablespoons sweetener (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar)

add-ins:  almonds, fresh fruit, coconut butter, lime juice, vanilla extract, kale!

Blend, adding additional liquid for desired consistency.

Mommy Hungry

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

2 frozen orange juice bars

½ cups cold milk

1 cup vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

¾ cup cold orange juice

Blend the juice bars, milk, ice cream and orange juice in a blender. Can substitute frozen orange juice for orange juice bars.

Alternate: Orange Freeze

From Eddie’s Sweet Shop in Woodhaven, where they filmed part of Brighton Beach Memoirs. Very tasty! And easier than the creamsicle smoothie.

2 scoops orange sherbet

1 scoop vanilla ice cream

seltzer

Tropical Slushie

This is a recipe from Scholastic's Parent and Child magazine that the kiddos can actually have. And it's pretty good (6/07).


1 cup mango nectar
20 oz Canned Pineapple Chunks in Juice

Freeze pineapple chunks overnight. Defrost 10 minutes before blending with mango nectar. Serve.

Parent and Child Magazine (2 points; 3 servings)

Peach Smoothie
1 bag frozen peaches, slightly defrosted in microwave (esp. if you don't have high-powered equipment)
1/4-1/2 cup milk, or more (cow, soy, even coconut works; I imagine yogurt would work, too, for really thick ones)--Miss D makes hers with orange juice and no milk
1/4 cup honey (or more to taste)

Mix in your blender or food processor until desired consistency.  Sometimes we like it chunky like ice cream or liquid like a smoothie; just adjust milk amounts.  It will refreeze but isn't as tasty later.  Enjoy!

Mommy Hungry

Mango Smoothie

1 bag frozen mangoes, approx. 16 oz. 

1/2 cup soymilk

1 cup mango nectar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

the juice of one lime

 Combine ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth.  Add additional soymilk and nectar, equally, as needed.

Mommy Hungry

Green Smoothie
3 leaves kale

1/2 cup water
1 1/4 cups soy milk
1 1/2 cups frozen fruit
1 ripe banana
1-2 tablespoons honey

Blend kale, water, and soy milk for 30+ seconds.  Add fruit, banana, and honey and blend for 60+ seconds, adding more liquid for desired consistency.

Enjoy in a dark-colored glass!

Mommy Hungry adapted from Heather Bruggeman

Strawberry-Almond Smoothie
1 cup raw almonds, soaked overnight

1 1/2 to 2 cups water 

2 to 3 cups fresh or frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon raw honey (we used closer to 2+)

1 whole vanilla bean (we didn't use this)

Place the almonds and water into a high-powered blender. Add water and blend until very smooth, about 30 to 60 seconds. Then add the berries, vanilla bean, and honey, blend again until smooth. Serve immediately. Source:www.NourishingMeals.com

Almond Energy Blast

1 cup low-fat low-sugar vanilla soymilk
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
6 ounces firm silken tofu
1/4 cup dry-roasted almonds

Blend.

Raspberry Sodas

1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 (12 oz.) can gingerale or lemon-lime soda
1 (6 oz) container raspberry or plain yogurt
brown sugar to taste, depending on raspberries
1-3  ice cubes, depending on thickness preference

Blend until smooth

Blueberry Smoothie

2 quarts (2 1/2 lbs.) frozen blueberries, slightly thawed; or 2 quarts free blueberries
1 quart pineapple-orange-strawberry juice blend; or pineapple-orange juice
1 quart low-fat vanilla yogurt
8 tsp. Sugar

- In a container of an electric blender, combine blueberries, juice, yogurt and sugar.
-Blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
-Serve immediately in tall glass.
-Garnish with blueberry skewers spiraled with thin stripes of orange peel, if desired.

Our Very Cherry Banana Smoothie

1 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt (this was lowfat)
15 frozen sweet cherries
1 banana, fresh

Combine in food processor/blender. Let kids watch. Server immediately.

Mango Lassi
1 ripe mango

1 cup whole or lowfat plain yogurt
3 tablespoons sugar
½ cup cold water
ice

Peel, pit, and coarsely chop 1 ripe mango (to yield about 1 cup fruit). In a blender, purée mango with yogurt, sugar, and cold water until smooth. Pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp, if desired. Serve immediately over ice.

Everyday Food



Rise 'N Shine Smoothie
1/2 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
1 cup orange juice
6 oz. vanilla yogurt (or plain, with 1 tablespoons sweetener)
1/2 cup vanilla soy milk
4 whole strawberries
3 ice cubes
1 teaspoon cinnamon


Grind oats into fine crumbs in blender.  Then add remaining ingredients, blending until smooth.  


Makes 2.


Smoothies and Summer Drinks recipe booklet