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Fruity Trix Smoothies

December 25, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
smoothies

smoothiesWhat You Need:

6 (8 oz.) containers of vanilla yogurt
3/4 C of orange juice
3 bananas
3 C of frozen whole strawberries
Trix cereal, crushed

How to Make It:

In a blender put the yogurt and orange juice and stir just to incorporate into the yogurt.
Break each banana into chunks and put in the blender.
The strawberries are added to the blender.
Cover the blender and blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
The mixture is poured into glasses and the crushed cereal is put on top.

Makes 10 servings

Kids will love this healthy drink at their New Years Eve party. It not as time consuming as making punch or as cold as a milk shake. Top these drinks with miniature chocolate chips or cut up fruit for a different taste.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Total Time: approximately 15 minutes

Nutritional Information per 1 C serving: (approximate values)
Calories 230; fat 2 g; sodium 90 mg; carbohydrates 47 g; sugar 38 g; protein 8 g

Filed Under: Drinks and Smoothies, Kid Friendly, Party Foods, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Tips for Creating Delectable Christmas Goodies

December 5, 2009 By The Recipe Mom 2 Comments
cuttingchristmasfudge

cuttingchristmasfudgeChristmas is a time for enjoying many things such as family, good cheer and of course those Christmas sweets. Having that chocolate fudge, candy and Christmas cookies at the top of the list is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Here are a few tips that will help you to create delectable Christmas goodies to die for.

Butter vs. Margarine

Butter doesn’t normally top our list of healthy ways to eat. At Christmas butter is a must when it comes to making those tasty little treats. There is no substitute for using regular butter in those recipes. Substitutes can be used but it will not give you the consistency or taste most are used too. To balance it out eat a little less of each goody. Just remember to at least take a small taste of them all.

Butter is much creamier than margarine because it contains no water like margarine. The water in margarine evaporates during the baking process leaving breads, cakes and cookies a little dry. To soften butter lay it out on the counter and allow it come to room temperature. This makes it much easier to work with.

Using Chocolate

Many believe that working with chocolate is a cause for disaster. If you keep a close eye on your chocolate it’s not as difficult as one might thing. When melting chocolate use moderation. Keep the heat on low when melting chocolate on the stove and remember to stir stir stir. When melting chocolate in the microwave heat it a short intervals and stir after each heating time. Stirring often helps the chocolate to melt keeping heating time down and less chance of the chocolate burning.

There is a healthy side to chocolate. Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and it tastes great. Dark chocolate can be used for decorating also. Those little curls and ribbons of dark chocolate on top of that cream pie are a sight to behold. Melted dark chocolate is also great for piping decorations onto cakes and cookies.

The Fruit of the Goodies

Fruit pies, cobbles and blintzes are all a part of those delectable holiday goodies. Fresh fruit can be rather expensive at this time of year since most are out of season. Frozen fruit will work just as well and it’s about as close to fresh fruit as anyone can get.

If you store fruit in the refrigerator be sure to let it come to room temperature before using it in those recipes. Room temperature fruit will have more juice than cold fruit. To remove fruit skins scald it. This will help to keep your fruit intact and save you time.

There are just a few ideas for creating those delectable Christmas goodies. Remember not to skimp on the flavor and be sure to enjoy every last morsel.

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Curb Their Hunger with Christmas Appetizers

November 26, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
fruitveggieplates

fruitveggieplatesIt’s Christmas and everyone is anticipating the Christmas dinner. The mouthwatering smells from the kitchen have everyone’s stomach growling. Sneaking to kitchen to take a bite is often the most stressful time for family and friends. They don’t want to be in the way but those smells make it impossible to stay away.

Appetizers can help to curb the hunger but still leave room for that turkey and all the fixings. Appetizers don’t have to be heavy. Depending on how long it will be before dinner or if a hearty breakfast was served will determine on the type of appetizers you serve.

Some examples of Christmas appetizers might be:

• Nuts
• Cheese
• Vegetables and dip
• Fruit
• Finger sandwiches
• Chicken nuggets

Nuts can be placed in bowls right from the package. Roasted nuts such as pecans or walnuts are quite tasty. Spruce them up by adding a sugar glaze.

Cheese can be cut in cubes and placed on trays. Cheese and crackers are also a good idea. Cheese balls rolled in nuts or herbs or spreadable cheese topped with bacon, tomatoes or olive slices are great with any type of crackers.

Vegetables and dip make a great appetizer. It’s healthy and won’t spoil their Christmas dinner appetite.

Another healthy appetizer is fresh fruit. Sprinkle the cut fruit with lemon juice to keep it from turning brown. Add a fruit dip made with yogurt for a special treat.

Finger sandwiches are easy to make. Chicken, tuna, ham and turkey salad are great ideas for finger sandwiches. Be sure to leave them refrigerated until time to serve. Anything that is made with mayonnaise shouldn’t be left out for more than a few hours. Deli sliced roast beef and cheese also make easy but tasty finger sandwiches.

Chicken nuggets make wonderful appetizers. Bake them and place them on a tray with toothpicks. Add sides of barbecue sauce or honey mustard for dipping. Wrap them in bacon before baking for something a little fancier.

These are just a few ideas for your Christmas appetizers. Add them to your grocery list this year and keep the nibblers out of the kitchen until it’s time to help with the clean up.

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Slushy Freezer Fruit

November 22, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
frozenfruit

frozenfruitWhat You Need:

4 C of water
1 C of sugar
3/4 C of orange juice concentrate
3/4 C of lemonade concentrate
3 firm bananas, sliced
1 (20 oz.) can unsweetened pineapple tidbits
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 C maraschino cherries, halved

How to Make It:

Place a large saucepan over medium heat and pour in the water.
Stir in the sugar and both of the concentrates.
Cook the mixture 3 minutes stirring constantly being sure the sugar is completely dissolved.
Take the pan from the stove and fold in the bananas, pineapple, oranges and cherries.
Cool slight and pour into a 3 qt. freezer container and freeze overnight.
Remove 1 hour before serving, stir slightly and enjoy.

Makes 12 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 1 hour 5 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 3 minutes
Freezing Time: approximately 8 hours
Total Time: approximately 9 hours 8 minutes

This dish is yummy and adds a little fruit to your Christmas buffet. For a more colorful Christmas touch add red and green maraschino cherries.

Filed Under: Christmas, Kid Friendly, Recipe Cards, Side Dishes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Start Your Day with a Christmas Brunch

November 17, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
tableholidayfood

brunchbuffetIf your are hosting the Christmas dinner Christmas Eve means spending time in the kitchen preparing for the next days meal. Give the cooks a break by treating them to a brunch on Christmas midmorning. Everyone can get the nourishment they need to finish preparation for dinner that night.

The good thing about a brunch is that it combines the best of breakfast and lunch. Those who love breakfast foods anytime of the day will be in heaven. For others who want to eat light, they can enjoy the lunch half of the fare.

If you are going to host the Christmas brunch, include the cooking items you need in your master list for Christmas dinner shopping. This will help when purchasing all of the items you need. While one half of the group is working on Christmas dinner, the other half can be preparing for brunch.

These tips can help get you off and running:

1. Decide on the menu ahead of time so you can make a list. Be sure to keep it simple but add enough variety to please everyone.
2. Decide how you will present the brunch. Buffet style is simple and easy both in preparation and clean up.
3. Perform the prep work the night before when the other half of the cooks are preparing for Christmas dinner. This will save time and make the morning preparations easier.
4. Remember to provide drinks such as juice, milk, coffee and tea.
5. If preparing for a buffet, set it up the night before along with setting the table.

The secret to a holiday brunch is in the preparation with a bit of cheating. If you decide to serve muffins or rolls buy them already prepared from the store. Take them out to come to room temperature in the morning. Use frozen, cooked sausage for the casseroles so you don’t have to perform that step on Christmas morning. Remember to remove it from the freezer to thaw at least 24 hours before using.

A perfect way to save cleanup is to have a buffet brunch and a buffet dinner. The tables will only have to be set up once. To clean up just wipe up the tables, replace the silverware and napkins and switch out the food pans. It makes it quite a simple chore from beginning to end.

There are numerous recipes for terrific brunch ideas. Sausage, egg and cheese casseroles, an assortment of muffins, rolls, doughnuts and breads always work well for brunch. Fresh fruits and vegetables along with fruit juices are easy to prepare and serve. Slices of ham, turkey along with an assortment of cheeses make great brunch items.

Remember to keep it simple with light and tasty foods. With dinner just around the corner you don’t your guests to be too full. A Christmas brunch might be the ticket to keeping the family out of the kitchen and the turkey until dinner is served.

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Vanilla Christmas Fruit

November 16, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
fruitsalad

fruitsaladWhat You Need:

3 (20 oz.) cans pineapple chunks
1 (5.1 oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding mix
2 (15 oz.) cans mandarin oranges, drained
3 red apples, chopped

How to Make It:

Drain the pineapple well reserving the juice in a separate bowl.
To the reserved juice add enough cold water to make 2 C.
Whisk the juice mixture and pudding mix in a large bowl for 2 minutes.
Let the pudding mixture set undisturbed for 2 minutes, until the pudding is set.
Gently fold in the oranges, apples and the pineapple.
Cover and chill until chilled through.

Makes 16 servings

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Chilling Time: approximately 1 hour
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

This makes a great side dish with any meal. In a pinch it could be serve as a dessert. For a special treat add well drained green maraschino cherries.

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Making Heavenly Desserts with a Pressure Cooker

November 10, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
cheesecake_fruit

cheesecake_fruitMaking scrumptious desserts couldn’t be easier than with a pressure cooker. Baking takes time but with a pressure cooker you can have a heavenly dessert in no time. Pressure cooked desserts taste better and are much healthier. These recipes are a great place to start your baking experience with a pressure cooker.

Easy Fruit Glazed Cheesecake

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. butter
• 4 tbsp. bread crumbs
• 2-8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 6 tbsp. sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 cups water

Preparation:

Butter a 7 inch spring form mold or other baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and set aside. In a bowl, blend the cream cheese, sugar, cream, vanilla, lemon zest, flour and sour cream. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks and pour mixture into the baking dish.

Center the uncovered pan on a piece of 24” long aluminum foil. Cover the top of the pan with another piece of foil and pinch around the edges to seal. Create a handle by scrunching up the ends of the foil over the top of the pan. Set the trivet in the pressure cooker and pour in the water. Lower the foil covered pan into the pressure cooker and place on the trivet. Lock the lid into place and bring to pressure. Lower the heat and cook for 30 minutes at 15 psi. Remove from heat and release the pressure using the natural release method.

Remove the pan from the pressure cooker using the foil handle. Loosen the foil and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Before serving, arrange fruit topping or fruit preserves in thick layer over the cheesecake.

Quick Rice Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup long grain rice
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• Cinnamon to taste

Preparation:

Melt the butter in the pressure cooker and stir in the rice coating it well with butter. Pour in the two cups of milk and water. Blend in the sugar and salt.

Lock the lid in place and bring to pressure. Lower heat and cook for 12 minutes at 15 psi. Release pressure using natural release method and remove lid.

In a small bowl, combine egg, evaporated milk and vanilla. Stir a little of the hot liquid from the pressure cooker into the egg mixture then return to the remaining mixture in the pressure cooker. Cook uncovered over medium heat, stirring constantly until the rice pudding begins to bubble. Immediately remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.

Transfer to individual dessert bowls, and refrigerate to continue cooling. Sprinkle with cinnamon before serving.

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Allspice Oranges with Honey

November 2, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
oranges

orangesWhat You Need:

3 1/2 C of water, divided
4 large oranges
1/2 C of honey
1/4 t of allspice
1 t of rum extract

How to Make It:

Pour 3 C of the water into the bottom of the pressure cooker.
Place the unpeeled oranges into the water.
Bring the pressure to high and poach the oranges for 3 minutes.
Release the pressure quickly under cold water then remove the oranges and drain off the water.
Peel the oranges and place them back into the pressure cooker.
Add the remaining water, honey, allspice and extract to the pressure cooker.
Bring the pressure back up to high and cook for 2 minutes.
Allow the pressure to release on its own then remove the oranges to a serving bowl.
Heat the sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thick.
Pour the sauce over the oranges just before serving.

This is a very versatile dish it can be used as a side dish or dessert or even for breakfast. If you prefer you may use grapefruit instead of the oranges. When cooking fruit make sure it doesn’t touch the sides of the cooker or it will burn.

Makes 4 servings

Filed Under: Breakfast Ideas, Desserts, Healthy Eating, Kid Friendly, Pressure Cooking, Recipe Cards, Side Dishes, Soups and Salads, Summer Cooking Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Brown Sugar Bananas for Kids

October 31, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
bananas

bananasWhat You Need:

4 large ripe bananas, peeled
2 T of brown sugar
1/8 t of nutmeg
1 C of water

How to Make It:

Lay the bananas in a single layer into a casserole dish.
Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the bananas then add the nutmeg.
Tightly seal the dish with heavy duty aluminum foil.
Place the trivet into the bottom of the cooker.
Pour the water over the trivet.
Set the casserole dish onto the trivet.
Bring the pressure up to high and cook the bananas for 6 minutes.
Slowly release the pressure.

This casserole is best served warm. This may be served as a side dish or as a dessert with any meal. This is a great way to get kids to eat fruit as they love this dish. Fresh fruit cooks very quickly in a pressure cooker so be sure to keep a timer handy.

Makes 4 servings

Filed Under: Desserts, Kid Friendly, Lunch Ideas, Pressure Cooking, Recipe Cards, Side Dishes, Snacks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Glittery Popcorn Cereal Treats

October 9, 2009 By The Recipe Mom Leave a Comment
glitterpopcorn

glitterpopcornWhat You Need:

1 (1.75 oz.) bag microwave popcorn
1 C of fruit flavored cereal
1 C of chocolate flavored cereal
1 T of edible glitter

How to Make It:

Microwave the popcorn as directed on the package.
Carefully place the popcorn into a large mixing bowl.
Toss the cereal in with the popcorn and combine well.
Add the glitter and toss until all of the mix is covered well.

You can find edible glitter in the cake decorating department at a craft store or use colored sugars instead. This fun snack can be placed in plastic pumpkins for snacks during a party or give it out to your trick or treaters instead of candy.

Makes 8 servings

Total Time: approximately 10 minutes

Nutritional Information (approximate values per 1 C serving):
Calories 70; fat 1 1/2 g; sodium 100 mg; carbohydrates 11 g; sugar 5 g; protein 0g

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Filed Under: Halloween, Kid Friendly, Recipe Cards, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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