Sandra’s Chilled Oolong-Citrus Tea

The perfect blend of flavors
without being overly sweet...

Yield: 7 cups
Prep: 5 Mins.
Steep: 1 Hr.
Chill: 1Hr.

Ingredients

7 cups filtered water, divided


3 Oolong tea bags


2 lemons, juiced and strained


2 TB orange juice, strained of pulp


3 Tablespoons of Agave

Steps

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Let the tea steep for 1 hour. When finished brewing, squeeze, then toss the tea bags.


Meanwhile, juice your lemons and strain the seeds and pulp. Strain the orange juice.


Once the tea is brewed, mix with 3 cups of remaining cold water in a pitcher. Add lemon and orange juice, and Agave, then stir. Do a taste test and add more Agave if needed.


Chill, covered, for 1 hour to let flavors meld, then serve (over ice, or not). ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S STRAWBERRY-BANANA-ORANGE SMOOTHIE

A perfect, sinfully scrumptious afternoon snack...

Serving: (1)

Prep: 5 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup Dole Pineapple-Orange-Banana juice

1 ripe banana

1 cup frozen, whole strawberries

1 (5.3 oz container) Chobani Greek Yogurt (I used strawberry)

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons Organic Light Agave (or honey)

METHOD

Add all ingredients in order listed to the blender pitcher, cover, and blend until smooth. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S SILKY RASPBERRY MID-AFTERNOON SMOOTHIES

My favorite smoothie that has
just the right amount of tartness without
being too sweet ~ simply delicious...

Servings: 2

Prep: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups frozen raspberries

1 cup cold water

12 ozs. (2, 6-oz. containers) berry yogurt 

--(I used 1 strawberry, and 1blueberry)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon wheat germ

1 tablespoon honey

METHOD

Place all ingredients in blender in order listed, cover, and pulse a couple of times.  Switch to puree setting, and blend for 3 minutes.  

To remove seeds, strain mixture through a sieve into a 4-cup glass measuring vessel, using a spoon to push puree mixture through sieve while retaining seeds.  Pour smoothie mixture into glasses and garnish with fresh raspberries, then serve. ~ Enjoy!

BTW: This is my friendly porcupine that came to visit when I was picking the fresh raspberries last evening to garnish these smoothies...he was gently snorting 1' away when I discovered him visiting, and he acted like he was happy to see me and hung around for about 15 minutes; he kind of likes his picture taken ;)

SANDRA’S HOLIDAY HOT BUTTERED RUM MIX

A family favorite festive beverage that's a must-have 
during Christmastime...

Servings: 10 to 12

Prep/Cook: 12 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

Hot Buttered Rum:

½  cup granulated sugar

½  cup dark brown sugar

¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

¼ vanilla bean, scraped of pods
--or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup French vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

10 to 12 ozs. dark rum

Boiling water

Topping/Garnish:
--Prepared whipped cream

--Freshly ground nutmeg

--Cinnamon sticks

METHOD

Combine granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, freshly ground ginger, vanilla extract, and butter in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk while cooking over low heat, until butter is melted and sugars have dissolved, about 6 to 8 minutes.

Combine cooked mixture with ice cream in a medium mixing bowl, and beat at high speed, while scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.

For each serving, fill 1/4 of mug with mixture, add 1 oz. of dark rum and three-quarters of a cup of boiling water. Add a cinnamon stick for stirring, pipe top with whipped cream, and sprinkle top with freshly grated nutmeg.

Store remaining Hot Buttered Rum Mix,

covered in an airtight container, 

in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, 

or freeze up to one month. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S AFTERNOON CAFE MOCHA DELIGHT

A true-chocolate-lover's dream...

Serves: (1 large mug) | Yields: (About 2-2/3 cups)
Prep: 3 Mins. |
Microwave: 1 Min.

Posted by: Sandra at

INGREDIENTS

1 cup hot and freshly brewed coffee
¼ cup milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
--(I prefer Hershey's)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish:
--Prepared whipped cream
--Chocolate syrup

METHOD

While coffee is brewing, whisk milk, cocoa powder, and sugar in a large mug, and microwave on high for 1 minute. Add the vanilla, and freshly brewed coffee to the hot mocha mixture in the mug; whisk to combine. Top with whipped cream, and drizzle with chocolate syrup. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S FROZEN BANANA and BLUEBERRY SMOOTHIE

What a great way to start
the morning with this
refreshingly tasting smoothie...

Serving: (1 lg., or 2 small)
Prep: 3 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 *frozen and peeled banana, cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
2/3 cup milk
1 (8 oz.) container blueberry yogurt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

--1 straw (optional)

METHOD

Pour all ingredients into a blender, puree for 1 minute until smooth, and serve. – Enjoy!


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*Tip: I freeze peeled, ripe bananas that I've cut into quarters in Ziploc bags. I use them often for frozen treats such as this, or for baking in recipes later on once thawed.

SANDRA'S FRESH NECTARINE SMOOTHIES

A wonderfully refreshing
smoothie that has a slight tang,
which compliments its other
ingredients rather nicely...

Serving: (2)

Prep: 3 Mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 ripe unpeeled nectarines, deseeded, and quartered
2/3 cup milk
A generous handful of ice cubes
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 to 2 tablespoons of honey,
--depending upon the sweetness of your fruit

-- 2 drinking straws

DIRECTIONS

Pour all ingredients into a blender, pulse a couple of times, then puree for 1 minute until smooth, and serve. – Enjoy!


(Note: Photo contains divine mini-cream puffs I just made, click here for recipe:  Raspberry Nutella Profiteroles)

SANDRA'S FROZEN BANANA STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

A perfect marriage of fruit
makes up this very satisfying
and refreshing smoothie...

Serving: (1)

Prep: 3 Mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 *frozen and peeled banana, cut into 4 pieces
2/3 cup milk
1 (8 oz. container) strawberry yogurt

-- A straw

METHOD

Pour all ingredients into a blender, and puree for 1 minute until smooth, and serve. – enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


*Tip: I freeze peeled, ripe bananas that I've cut into quarters in Ziploc bags. I use them often for frozen treats such as this, or for baking in recipes later on once thawed

SANDRA'S TAKE-ME-AWAY CHAI TEA

I took an afternoon break
from work when
this recipe came to mind ~
Needless to say, I now often enjoy
sipping this refreshing beverage...

Yields: (4 cups)
Prep: 3 Mins. |
Cook: 4 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 cups filtered water
2 generous tablespoons of loose black tea leaves
½” piece of fresh ginger, peeled
--(I keep mine in ½” pieces already peeled in the freezer)
1 whole cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1 vanilla bean split, and inner pods removed, or ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Dash freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons honey (or click for: Sandra's Homemade Fireweed Honey)
2 cups milk

METHOD

In a medium saucepan, add all ingredients except milk and place over high heat just until boiling, and then reduce heat to a simmer for 3 minutes, while occasionally stirring. Add milk and heat just prior to boiling point, and remove from heat. Strain Chai Tea through a fine mesh strainer into a 4-cup glass measuring container (as it is heatproof).

Serve hot with a cinnamon stick and a pinch of cardamom, or chilled in a tall glass filled with ice and a fresh sprig of mint.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: Refrigerate any unused Chai Tea, and then reheat via your typical method and/or froth with your cappuccino maker.

SANDRA'S FROZEN BANANA CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE

A very satisfying smoothie 
you can have within minutes...

Serving: (1)

Prep: 3 Mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 frozen and peeled banana, cut into 4 pieces
2/3 cup milk
2 Lindt Lindor chocolates (any flavor)
2 tablespoons hot espresso, or strong coffee
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

--1 french vanilla pepperidge farm creme filled pirouette rolled wafer, broke in half

METHOD

Pour all ingredients into a blender, and puree for 1 minute, just until smooth, and serve. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: I freeze peeled, ripe bananas that I've cut into quarters in Ziploc bags. I use them often for frozen treats such as this, or for baking in recipes later on once thawed.

SANDRA'S 3-MINUTE HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE FOR 2

A quick and easy homemade
cup of hot chocolate that is
extraordinary...

Servings: (2)

Prep: 3 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra at 

INGREDIENTS:

¼ cup water

2 tablespoons unsweetened Hershey’s Cocoa Powder

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Tiny pinch of kosher salt

1-1/2 cups milk

¼ teaspoon vanilla

Dash of ground cinnamon

Garnish:
--Miniature marshmallows

METHOD

Add ¼ cup water to a 4-cup glass measuring vessel, and sprinkle in the cocoa powder, sugar, and tiny pinch of kosher salt. Place in microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove, and whisk to combine syrup ingredients.

Add the milk, and continue to microwave on high for 2 TO 2-1/2 minutes, or until sufficiently hot. Remove and add the vanilla, and cinnamon, whisking to combine. Immediately pour hot chocolate into two 8-oz. mugs, and garnish each with miniature marshmallows. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S APPLE and ORANGE SMOOTHIES

Now these smoothies will guarantee
a bright and refreshing
start to any day...


Wow, a fantastic historical write-up on smoothies that included
featuring my photograph in the mention...
http://www.healthysmoothierecipeshq.com/
smoothies-history-what-every-smoothie-maker-should-know 

Serves: (2)

Prep: 5 mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS


Note: 
Before peeling oranges, you may want to cut a slice off first for garnishing.



2 oranges, peeled, and chopped into small chunks
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped into small chunks
1 (6 oz. container) of orange yogurt
½ cup milk
1 cup ice cubes
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon honey

--2 drinking straws

METHOD:

Add all ingredients to blender, and puree until smooth and creamy. Pour into glasses and serve. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S ALASKA CORONARITAS (aka beer margaritas)

A very pleasing and refreshing beverage anytime of the year ~
I'm not a huge fan of the flavor of tequila, 
although I'm unable to detect its flavor
in these delectable Coronaritas...

Yields: (6 beverages--A Pitcher, or so...)
Prep: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS:

***Coronaritas:
1 (12. oz. bottle) of Corona Beer
12 ozs. of tequila
--(A quality brand)
1 (12 oz. can) of frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
1 (12 oz. can) of sprite
1 lime, cut in half
--(Reserve other ½ for rimming glass)
Ice cubes, enough for 6 glasses

***Rimming glass / garnish:
1 lime, cut into 8 slices, then cut a slit half way through each slice (for garnish)
and kosher salt (to rim glass)

METHOD:

Prepare 6 stemmed margarita glasses by running a half of a lime around rim of each. Pour kosher salt onto a flat saucer, and gently tap moistened rim of glass to coat. Fill each glass will ice cubes, and set aside.

***[For non-blended Coronaritas]:
Pour corona, tequila, limeade concentrate, and sprite into a large pitcher. Squeeze half a lime into pitcher mixture as well, and stir to combine. Pour Coronarita mixture equally among 6 prepared glasses, and garnish each with a slice of lime.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***[For blended Coronaritas...My preference ;-)]
Pour corona, tequila, limeade concentrate, and sprite into blender. Squeeze half a lime into pitcher mixture, as well as 3 cups of ice cubes, and puree to combine. Pour Coronarita mixture equally among 6 prepared glasses, and garnish each with a slice of lime. ~ Enjoy!

(3) RECIPES: SANDRA'S FRUIT and BERRY SMOOTHIES

Scrumptious Creamsicle 
Smoothies 
shown in photograph...

Three recipes total
Servings: (2 per recipe)

Posted by Sandra

CREAMSICLE SMOOTHIES (In photo)

1 cup vanilla ice cream
2 cans of mandarin orange sections, drain juice
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients in the blender and puree until smooth. Pour into glasses, place a straw in each, and garnish with orange slices.

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIES

1-1/2 cups vanilla yogurt
2 bananas, cut into chunks
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1 tablespoon honey

Combine the yogurt, bananas, strawberries, milk, wheat germ, and honey in a blender; blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, place a straw in each, and garnish with fresh strawberry slices.

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIES

2 bananas, cut into chunks
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup (more/less to taste)
1 cup vanilla yogurt

In a blender combine bananas, strawberries, milk, chocolate syrup, and yogurt. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses, place a straw in each, and garnish with strawberry slices.

Enjoy!