Fruit Smoothie Pops

Smoothie Pops

So, I was at Wal-Mart the other day (Yeah, I know.  Don't judge.  LOL) and saw these cute popsicle makers in the dollar section.  I have 8 kids, and there were 8 of these, so that was perfect!  Ok, so one of them doesn't actually eat food, but I get her popsicle, and she gets it by proxy.  

Anyway, what could I make my kids that's somewhat healthy?  Smoothies!  I add a bit more sugar than I would for an actual smoothie, but you can do more or less to your liking.  

Here's my Smoothie Pop recipe! 

Combine in a blender:

3 cups of frozen fruit (I use a tropical blend)

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 cup water

3 Tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 drops almond extract

Blend on high about a minute, or until completely smooth.  Pour into popsicle molds.  Put on tops.  Freeze 2 hours, or until completely frozen.  Enjoy the leftover smoothie, as there is generally some left over!

Run under warm water a few seconds to help unmold.  Eat!  Great for a hot summer day. 

Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies

This was my first attempt at baking gluten free brownies.  I came across the recipe, and decided to try it out.  

I was somewhat expecting a plain and uneventful brownie.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Even my husband, who is not into gluten free, liked them.  He ate several of them after I told him it was made with chickpeas.  "Chocolate Hummus Bars" he called it.  

As you can see in the picture, they didn't last very long.  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed 

4 large eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup canola oil

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Spray a 9 x 9-inch pan with baking spray. Place chocolate chips in a double boiler and melt until smooth.

Combine beans and eggs in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add remaining ingredients to food processor until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the baking pan and sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top. 

Bake for 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Cool in pan. These are best if they've had time to sit overnight (if you can wait). 

Yield: 16 squares

Source: Naturally Tasty author Gilda Mulero, Chef and Cooking Instructor

Easy Cheesy 3 Ingredient Crockpot Potatoes

My family loves potatoes.  They are an amazing food.  There are so many things that can done with them!  Here's one recipe I threw together the other night.  It disappeared rather quickly. 

5-6 large baking potatoes

8 oz bottle Itallian salad dressing

1 lb cheese; shredded

Slice potatoes thin.  Put in 6 Qt or larger crockpot.  Pour Italian dressing over potatoes and stir to mix.  

Add cheese, and mix well about 3 hours into cooking.  

Cook High 6-8 hours or Low 8-10 hours or until potatoes are tender.  

 

Ice Mocha Frappé

I will be the first to admit that I drink way too much coffee.  It's my favorite drink.  Sometimes I'll sneak it into my food, like in the broth with a roast.  Ice Frappés are a yummy treat for me though.  

With minutes you can blend your own yummy frappé.  I like my coffee sweet, so if you don't like them quite as sweet, start with half the sugar and add more if needed.  

I start off with 1/2 cup coarse ground coffee in my French Press.  i add 28oz boiling water, stir, put the lid on (don't press the plunger), and set the timer for 4 minutes.  Every minute just give it a stir.  After 4 minutes, push the plunger down.  Strain and cool the coffee you plan to use for the frappé.  Drink the rest.  ;)

For the frappé:

1 1/2 cups coffee; chilled

1/2 cup milk (or 1/2 & 1/2)

4 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp chocolate syrup

3 cups ice, plus more as desired

Whipped cream 

Directions

In a blender, puree coffee, milk, sugar, and ice. For a thicker consistency, add more ice and blend.  For mocha frappé, add chocolate sauce while blending.

Pour into 2 glasses, and top with whipped cream and chocolate sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

Hannah's Mock Pumpkin Pie

For some reason we were blessed with a surplus of 29 oz cans of yams in syrup.  Someone gave us a box of them last year.  Don't get me wrong.  I am a huge sweet potato and yam fan.  I generally eat them baked or in soups though.  So I was left with wondering what to do with all these canned yams in syrup. 

I gave my 11 year old daughter, Hannah, the idea and she went with it.  She wanted Pumpkin Pie, and it turned out amazing.  

2 eggs

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 can (29 oz) yams in syrup

1 can evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Preheat oven to 450°

Drain the yams; discard the syrup.  Mash the yams until smooth.  Mix in the flour, salt, sugar, and spices.  Mix in the slightly beaten egg, then slowly add the evaporated milk, mixing until well blended. Pour the batter into the unbaked pie shell.

Bake at 450° for 10 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 325° and continue baking pie for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the mixture comes out clean.

Roasted Garlic

There is nothing better, and more practical, than roasted garlic.  It's easy, and it's healthy. 

Peel 4 bulbs of garlic

Put in an oven proof dish (I use a coffee cup) that is large enough to hold them all, but not too large

Pour extra virgin olive oil over garlic until just covering

Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over the oil 

Bake 1 hour at 350°

When the garlic is tender and brown it is done.  If it over cooks, it will get hard.  

Easy Crockpot Oatmeal

Some mornings it's nice to wake up and breakfast is already done. This is another great crockpot meal that is incredibly fast to prepare, and is really yummy.


Crockpot Oatmeal

4 cups oats (not quick cooking kind)
10 cups water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Combine in crockpot.
Cover with lid.
Turn to warm for 8 hours.

It's a full crockpot of oatmeal. ;)


Add raisins, cranberries, fruit, peanut butter, or whatever strikes your fancy before serving.