Strawberry-Thyme Lemonade

Strawberry-Thyme Lemonade

 

This super-yummy lemonade comes from Real Simple magazine and is intended for both family and adult drinks.

 

This lemonade base is perfect for sipping in the sun, and you can add a splash of vodka to turn it into an adult version.

 

Brennan and I can vouch for the family-friendly variety.  It is really, really tasty over crushed ice!

 

Start by heating sugar, water, and thyme sprigs until the sugar dissolves.

 

Hull and slice a quart of strawberries.

Remove the thyme sprigs and add the thyme syrup, fresh lemon juice, water, and the strawberries to a large pitcher. 

 

Stir and chill 30 minutes.

 

Pour over crushed ice, garnished with a sprig of thyme.

 

Really, really delicious!!

 

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Strawberry, Mandarin Orange, and Poppyseed Dressing Salad

House of Grace's

Strawberry, Mandarin Orange, and Poppyseed Dressing Salad

I saw this recipe on Bonnie's House of Grace blog awhile back and immediately pinned it.

I made it last night for a dinner party, and it was really good. 

Maybe my favorite salad ever.

I used Target's Archer Farms brand dressing because I like that they don't usually have a lot of extra ingredients in their dressings.  I'm sure other brands are good too.  I think poppyseed dressing goes really well with fruit.

Before the party I chopped up my lettuce and put it in my serving dish.  I used a mixture of romaine and bibb that I had on hand.  Then I covered it with plastic wrap and took it to the party.

I sliced strawberries and drained mandarin oranges and put them in plastic containers to take with us.  I did the same with the chopped walnuts.

When we were ready to eat I drizzled dressing over the lettuce, then topped with the strawberries, oranges, and walnuts, then drizzled more dressing over the top.

This salad is really fresh, pretty, and tastes great!  I'll definitely serve it again and again.

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

Enjoy!

Fabulous!  Will make again and again!

 

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Southern Living's

Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

My boys are not long on patience - especially waiting in the car.

When they get in the car they always have a book, and if they forget one, the trip around town to do errands or take someone somewhere is always that.much.longer.

The other day we were waiting outside of the high school for Thomas to finish band practice, when Brennan realized he didn't have anything to read.  So, I handed him the June 2012 Southern Living that I had brought along for myself. 

And he chose this delicious Icebox Pie recipe to try out.

I modified the recipe ever-so-slightly.  It was delicious and is perfect for the summer.

Brennan started by making the crust.  We made the pie entirely in the food processor, but you could also use a mixer.

He crushed pretzel sticks, then mixed in melted butter and light brown sugar.

Look at those long piano fingers!

He pressed it into a greased pie pan and cooked it for 11 minutes, then cooled it on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

While it was cooling, Brennan promptly forgot about the rest of the pie and went out to play.

I finished it up for him.  He was thrilled to see the end result at dinner the next day!

I then blended sweetened condensed milk and light cream cheese together.  I added in strawberry gelatin and chopped fresh strawberries, and about 1 cup of light Cool Whip.

I froze the pie overnight.

The next day I topped the frozen pie with more Cool Whip and set it back in the freezer for an hour.

While we had dinner I set the pie out to soften up a touch.

It was delicious!

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

Enjoy!

Fruit for Dessert

Fruit for Dessert

We have had a lot of sweets around the house for the last month or so with Easter baskets, birthday party gift bags coming home, and a recent trip to Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati with Thomas and Brennan.  They chose several international sweets that we've been enjoying a little at a time.

But it's not often that we eat real dessert after a family meal.

What we've been doing instead each night is enjoying fresh fruit with flavored Balsamic vinegars.

I shared on our family blog that we have a new Olive Oil and Balsamic store in town. 

Thomas and I enjoyed a special tasting with friends last month.

Our favorite fruits to dip in Balsamic are fresh strawberries and fresh pineapple.

With strawberries we like the Fig Balsamic.  I chose that one the first time I went to our local store.  I absolutely loved it.

With pineapple we like Thomas's choice - Cinnamon Pear.  Mmmm.

While fancy Balsamics are certainly not necessary to dress up fresh fruit, it sure makes it fun and more like dessert for our family!

Enjoy!

Strawberry Soup/Smoothie

Biggest Loser

Strawberry Soup/Smoothie

Yes, another recipe from my latest cookbook!

I was intrigued by this recipe - Strawberry Soup - and Thomas asked me to try it so I did yesterday for our afternoon snack.

In a blender you simply puree thawed frozen strawberries, lime juice, Greek yogurt and honey.

And while the boys enjoyed it as a "soup" - 

 - we all agreed it would be perfect as a smoothie.

It is rich like a strawberry shake and filling!

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

Enjoy!



Green Machine Smoothie

Whole Living's

Green Machine Smoothie

I pinned this smoothie on Pinterest and decided to try it out this morning.

I had never made a smoothie with water before so was eager to try it out.

Brennan wanted to try it too.

I'm sure I made a face much like his at first.



It was actually good.  It's something I would drink on a regular basis.



I read the reviews and it said that you have to overpulse it so that it is good and smooth.

After running this on the normal smoothie setting, I then hit High Pulse for a few seconds.

Worked great!

Double click to print as a 5x7 recipe card.

"Enjoy"