{recipe} Smoothie with a Twist

Weekly Test Recipes - Week 26! (The year is half over - GASP!)

I've fallen away from my smoothie addiction in recent weeks.  But this week we had an abundance of fresh fruit in the fridge and needed to get rid of some of the strawberries before they went bad.  On a whim, I decided to throw in some extras and use up some veggies in the fridge as well.  Similar to V8 fruit juice.  It was so good and I couldn't even taste the veggies.

SMOOTHIE WITH A TWIST* (one serving)
6 oz. yogurt of choice (I used strawberry banana this time, but usually use vanilla. Peach is good too. Any kind really!)

splash of orange juice
splash of lemon juice
1 ripe banana, sliced (freeze it first to add thickness)
handful fresh strawberries (I used 6 medium ones)
3-4 chunks fresh pineapple
*5 baby carrots (gasp, I know!)
1 Tbsp. flax seed  (optional)

Place yogurt and juices in blender and blend until mixed.  Add other ingredients a little at a time, blending between additions, until mixed.  Serve immediately. (I ended up adding a few ice cubes to this smoothie to add thickness.  If you use frozen fruit, ice won't be necessary.)  I've heard of adding spinach to smoothies as well, and have such a recipe bookmarked to try in the near future.

Mmm, mmm, Margaritas!

Test Recipes Week 14!

I love me a good margarita (I like on-the-rocks better than frozen).  It's a 'girly' drink that appeals to guys too.  Nice and refreshing - great for summer days.  It's getting close to 90 here in South Texas, so today was a perfect day to test out a homemade margarita recipe.  They're also a great way to unwind after a long day trying to keep 2-year-olds in a chair.

MARGARITAS (Erin'sFoodFiles)
First step: make a simple syrup.  This can be stored in the fridge for a couple months.

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Boil water, add sugar, and stir until dissolved.  Remove from heat and let cool.
Agave nectar can be used as a substitute.

For the Margarita:
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz triple sec (can also substitute Orange Juice)
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 tsp. simple syrup (more or less to taste)
Kosher salt

Wipe rim of glass with lime wedge, then dip into a plate of salt.  Fill martinia shaker half full of ice.  Pour tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and syrup into the shaker; cover and shake thoroughly.  Pour into ice-filled glass and enjoy!  Can garnish with lime wedge.

my glasses are orange, not the drink

I rated this recipe EXCELLENT.  It is so much better than margaritas made from a mix.  Not so syrup-y and not too sweet.

South of the Border

Test Recipes Week 11!

I've had these Taquitos from Our Best Bites bookmarked for a while now, and decided to test them out this week.  Then I noticed the Brazilian Lemonade link on the same post, so this week's test recipe sort of has a theme.  (If you've never checked out Our Best Bites before, go do so.  I have so many recipes bookmarked from their site that I'll be able to do a 2nd year of test recipes in 2011...)

CREAMY CHICKEN TAQUITOS (OurBestBites)

1/3 c. (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. green salsa (I used regular, because that's what I had on hand)
1Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. granulated garlic
3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp. sliced green onions
2 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. grated Pepper Jack cheese
small corn or flour tortillas (about 12)
kosher salt

Combine cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well. 

Slightly warm your tortillas so they don't break while rolling.  Place a spoonful of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can.  Place seam side down on the baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top. 

Bake at 425* for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.  Dip in salsa, sour cream or guacamole, or use your favorite toppings.

These were super yummy and super easy to make!  They also tasted very good when reheated.  I dipped them in sour cream and that's it.  This one is rated EXCELLENT.  There was also a drink recipe linked to the taquitos recipe.  The ladies over at OBB were raving about this drink, so I decided to try it out at the same time as the taquitos.

**********************************************************

BRAZILIAN LEMONADE (OurBestBites)

4 limes (with thin, smooth skin)
1 c. sugar
6 c. cold water
6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

Mix cold water and sugar until dissolved.  Chill until ready to use. This step can be done ahead of time.  Wash limes thoroughly with soap Cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into eighths.  Place 1/2 of the limes in your blender.  Add 1/2 of the sugar water, and pulse 5 times. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher and pour the blended mixture through the strainer and into the pitcher. Use a spoon to press the rest of the liquid into the pitcher. Repeat with remaining limes and sugar water. Add sweetened condensed milk.  Add more sugar or milk if it's too bitter.  Serve immediately over ice. Serves 4.
 
OBB said this does not keep well, so only make the amount you think you'll need (I made a half recipe).  This was another 'oops' recipe for me.  I don't own a wire-mesh strainer, so I attempted to strain (SLOWLY) through a paper towel.  A couple times some rind spilled over into the pitcher, but I just scooped it out with a spoon.  Overall, I rated this recipe GOOD.  It was a little too bitter for me, even after adding more sugar.  I would attempt it again (using an actual strainer), and try even more sugar.