Hot Cocoa Mix

This is a must-have in our pantry during the weather.  Thanks to Martha Stewart's recipe, hot cocoa is always ready in a flash.

In a large bowl, combine:

3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon salt

Put mixture in airtight container(s).  I use mason jars.

To serve, add 2 tablespoons of mix to a cup of hot milk.  Mix well.

Blueberry Muffin Smoothie

Made this smoothie this morning with a few changes... very good!

Serves 2

1 1/2 cups orange juice
2/3 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons flax seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup frozen banana or ice cubes (I used a little of both)

Purée in blender and serve!

Blueberry-pomegranate smoothie

We made this recipe for breakfast, but also through in some groats, spinach, and banana (rather than adding a sweetener).  We don't like smoothies to be too icy, so we just added a few cubes.

8 oz pomegranate juice
2 tablespoons groats
1/2 cup strawberries (3-4)
1/2 orange, peeled
1 banana
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
handful of spinach
a few ice cubes (around 4)

The night before, put groats, pomegranate juice, banana, 1/2 orange and strawberries in the blender in your refrigerator.  In the morning, add the frozen blueberries, spinach, and a few ice cubes.  Blend until smooth.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Banana Smoothie

This smoothie is surprisingly delicious.  The oatmeal gives a nice texture.  I also added some ground flax seed and spinach.  It tastes like a milkshake... but is a bit healthier!

serves 2:
2 bananas, sliced, frozen
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup peanut butter
3/4-1 cup milk (I used almond milk)
2 tablespoons flax seed
handful of spinach

Put oats in the blender and blend until powdery.  Add other ingredients and blend until smooth.  Voilà!

Peanut butter and banana smoothie

1 banana

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

handful of spinach

handful of ice cubes

Pulse in blender until ice cubes are crushed, then puree until smooth!

Vin Chaud

This is served at all the Christmas markets in France at this time of year. We found this particular recipe on this expat's cooking blog.

1 bottle red wine

2 cups water

1/2 cup sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

2 whole cloves

1 lemon, sliced

zest of one orange

Bring wine, water, sugar, and spices to a simmer over low heat. Add zest and lemon slices. Serve warm.

Strawberry Muddle

Strawberry Muddle

A Bon Appetit magazine recipe…

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

1 ½ cups chopped hulled strawberries

6 thin ice slices

ice cubes

bottle Prosecco

Stir sugar and water in heavy small saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and bring to boil. Cool syrup. Divide strawberries among six glasses, add 1 tablespoon syrup to each and mash with handle of wooden spoon. Add lemon to each and mash to release flavor. Add ice to each glass then fill with Prosecco.

Sparkling Fruit Tea

My friend Elizabeth found this recipe for Puffy Muffin's Ginger Tea. It is so refreshing!

Sparkling Fruit Tea

3 heaping Tablespoons instant tea (plain--no sugar/ lemon)

1 1/2 cup sugar

6 cups warm water

2 cup orange juice

1 6oz can frozen limeade (undiluted)

2 liters Ginger Ale or enough to make 1 gallon

In a 1-gallon pitcher, combine the instant tea, sugar, and water. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Add the orange juice and limeade. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make one gallon of sparkling fruit tea.

Sparkling Lemonade

As summer draws to a close, it is time to enjoy a few more glasses of homemade lemonade. This recipe calls for a quart/liter of "fizzy" water... a very nice touch! If you don't like pulp, strain before serving.

Sparkling Lemonade

4 lemons

1 ½ cup sugar

1 Quart sparkling/ seltzer water

ice

Grate 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and put into 1-quart pitcher. Cut each lemon in half and squeeze out juice (I use a citrus reamer... you could also use any citrus press or juicer). Pour into pitcher. Stir the sugar into the juice until dissolved. Add seltzer water. Serve over ice with a slice of lemon and a cherry.