I love baking with sweet potatoes—I’ve made Sweet Potato Bread, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Loaded Sweet Potato Muffins, and Sweet Potato Cinnamon Cake… so I thought it was about time to try a sweet potato pound cake! I found a recipe that I tweaked a little, using some brown sugar along with granulated sugar in the batter, and adding a little more cinnamon and nutmeg, plus some chopped pecans. Continue reading
This is an easy, fruity drink to make–perfect for enjoying on a sunny spring day! This cooler has strawberries that you mash, or muddle, to release the juices, and then you add in the orange juice for a really great fruity combination! If you need to make a larger amount of servings, just multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need–you could even mix up a large batch in a pitcher!
When I was mashing up my strawberries, I found it was easier to do that in a medium-size bowl, and I used a spoon to mash them. But you could also mash them right in the glass if that works best for you.
STRAWBERRY–ORANGE MINT COOLER by NancyCreative, adapted from Martha Stewart
Makes 2 servings
- Half a pint (8 ounces) of strawberries, hulled
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups orange juice (or tangerine or mandarin juice)
- mint springs for garnish, optional
Divide strawberries between 2 (10 or 12-ounce) glasses. Add 2 mint leaves to each glass. Muddle (or mash) strawberries until they are crushed and juicy (you can use a spoon or muddler to do this). Add 4 or 5 ice cubes to each glass, then fill each glass with 1 cup of orange juice. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.
If you want a slightly fizzy drink, use 1 cup juice mixed with 1 cup sparkling water. It will be less sweet, but the fizziness is nice!
This would be a great beverage to serve at a spring breakfast or brunch. Maybe even on Easter! What types of fruity beverages do you like to make?
Linked to Inspire Me Monday.
It is hot outside today…the type of day you think about having an Orange Julius. I had found a recipe at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe that I wanted to try, and I thought it was really good! I added a little more sugar to mine, but if you don’t want a sweeter Julius, then stick with the lower amount of sugar in the recipe (see below). I especially love the frothy, creamy foaminess of this drink…I’m sure it partly has to do with the powdered sugar in it. It’s a real treat, and great to have any time of day…for breakfast, brunch, or as an afternoon refreshment. Super easy to make, too!
ORANGE JULIUS slightly adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Makes 3-4 servings
Combine all ingredients, except the ice cubes, in a blender and process until smooth and frothy. Add ice cubes and blend until smooth (I used the “ice crush” setting on my blender and that worked out great).
Then sit in a shady spot and enjoy your Julius!
Have you had very hot weather where you live? What types of things do you like to make on hot days?
Linked to Inspire Me Monday.
NancyC 