Strawberry Smoothie Summer Oats

 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
1/3 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons vanilla favored yogurt
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1/4 cup strawberries  puree *

Directions
 In a half pint jar, add oats, milk, yogurt,  and maple syrup. Put lid on jar.
 Shake until well until combined.
 Add your strawberry puree and stir until mixed throughout. Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

*Strawberry puree I made because I had some teeth pulled. That way I had some for for a quick smoothie to drink. I put some fresh strawberries  in blender.  Then ran them threw a strainer to remove seeds (you don't have too ) I frozen the puree for even quicker smoothie!

Making Almond milk

With all that is said about processed food and additives I have been trying to cut back and eating real food. Even things like almond milk have questionable ingredients. The additive carrageenan; a seaweed-derived texturizer is been known to cause stomach problems . So I thought how hard is it to make almond milk? Plus Care2 had a piece about making non-dairy milks.

The simplest way to explain is 1 part almond 2 parts water.
No more wasting almond milk cause I didn't use it up in 7 days..... now I can make as much or as little as I want.  If I need a cup of almond milk I can use 1/2 cup of almonds and 1 cup water. Plus you can store the extra almonds in the freezer and use the ground almond as almond meal (flour)



1 part organic almonds
2 parts water

Soak the almonds in the water (cover about 1 inch above them) over night or for up to 2 days.

Drain  the almonds from the water and rinse.
Put almonds and the 2 parts water in a blender.

Pulse to start to chop them up. Then blend for 2 minutes.  It will look like milk

Strain with cheese cloth the almond meal.  Press the remaining milk.out of the cheese cloth.

You can add sweetener and or vanilla  if you want.
Refrigerate. This fresh almond milk only last for 2 days but you can make as much and as little as you want. You can always have your almonds soaking for the next batch!!

Roasted veggies

I have a great way to cook vegetables!

Carrots

Zucchini

Onions

Cauliflower

Seasonings your choice... mixes like Italian, Mexican, or just plain seasoning salt. 

Parmesan cheese 

Cut the veggies into spears or break the cauliflower into smaller bunches.  I also have cut into slices.  Just make sure they are the same thickness. Sprinkle seasoning.  I used my dragon salt.  Toss with a little Olive oil.  I have tossed with Italian salad dressing... when it was one of those nights I was in a hurry!! LOL Then I sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top of that. 

Now I have seen to add parchment paper to pan but I did that once and it seemed that they didn't cook that well with the paper. 

Bake for 20 minutes at 425. I turn at 10 minutes to keep from getting to dark on the bottom.  

Corn on the cob

Tonight's dinner included some ears of corn.  I love corn on the cob and was using the oven so I thought it give the "baked cob on the cob" a try.

No need to husk! Just run some water over your ears and place in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

I have to say that I hear this and thought I am not sure about this.  I like to microwave mine.
It's fast.  I microwave for 4 minutes and done!!

I have to warn you that the smell had me checking on the corn cause I thought something was burning. I think the silk was

Chocolate Cold Goodness

Another site calls these fudgsicles,

but I don't think they taste like fudgsicles.

 BUT they are good... I change a few things just cause I don't like a few things they used and this is what I got:

Chocolate Popsicles

 2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup almond milk
 1 very-ripe bananas
 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract


 Combine all items in a blender. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze. Better for you too.  No artificial favors or colors. No preservatives.  And cocoa is good for you.....
My picky daughter enjoy this popsicle......

Still have to try (after we eat these) this recipe I found at daily waffle: 

Nutella Fudgesicles
Makes 6 pops with about 1/2 c. left over

1 1/2 c.  chocolate almond milk
1/2 c. Nutella

Whisk and freeze! 


 

Refrigerator Oatmeal

With Pinterest I found this pin that had a recipe for refrigerator oatmeal. I am not a big fan of yogurt. I use greek yogurt instead of sour cream! So I had to try this but first I tried it with less yogurt that called for, maybe I could do a little bit of yogurt if I use the vanilla favored...

 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
1/3 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons vanilla favored yogurt
1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
2 teaspoons maple syrup
 1/4 cup blueberries

 Directions
 In a half pint jar, add oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Put lid on jar.
 Shake until well until combined.
 Add your blueberries and stir until mixed throughout. Refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Eat chilled.

 Maybe try it with something else like applesauce or smashed bananas???

 1 cup low fat milk
 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup frozen blueberries or raspberries
 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

 Directions

 Mix milk, oats and applesauce in a jar. I used a old ice cream topping jar.
 Can add salt, if desired. Shake to mix. Stir in berries. Refrigerate overnight.


 I used almond milk mixed with regular milk. Both where really good! Shocking but true... LOL


 

Ahhh Spring!

   I got some great fresh vegetables at the store for good prices.   And being in the northeast we had a seventy degree day.  It was so nice and I had the day off!!! I had to get my grill out... Fresh vegetables and  warm weather.

I got some beautiful zucchini, asparagus, cucumber, tomatoes and a bag of onions.  So I cut the cucumber, a tomato and a onion for a salad. I drizzled some Italian dressing over them.  I eat that as my salad then began dinner..

I also made some more Italian dressing to marinate some beautiful zucchini and asparagus for a hour. or more...  I think I cooked them around 10 minutes on each side but maybe more.

For dessert I grill some fresh pineapple slices.  I forgot the brown sugar to sprinkle on the slices.  I remember after the slice hit the grill I thought no biggie I add it after.  I forgot that too... well it didn't need it. The pineapple slices where so good they didn't need any brown sugar...

It was one of those meals that after you say OMG that was so good....

Easy NO Bake Cheesecake

Graham cracker pie crust:

1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup white sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted


Filling:
11 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed



Directions
1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until set.

Forbidden Rice

olive oil
1 medium sweet onion [chopped]
sea salt [to taste]
15 oz Forbidden Rice
water to cover rice by 1 1/8" inch



1. Heat your pot and add your oil, onions, salt and saute until translucent and sweet smelling. Your onion is breaking down and becomes sweeter..but I use sweet onion any way...

2. Add rice stir and toast until they smell nutty.

3. Add water, stir, cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.

4. Turn off heat, let stand for 10 minutes, fluff with fork.


Now remember that forbidden rice is black in color and will stain! I have added sticky rice to the mix but it all will turn black! but it has a nutty taste.  It's a experience........

Secrets

I love that guy that does the don't eat this eat that. Because he puts it in terms everyone can understand. So when I saw this slide show about Cooking  Secrets I had to check it out. Ok some things I knew but somethings I didn't know...


Drain your  pasta about 1 minute early it will finish cooking when you are adding the sauce...  Must remember that one......  we eat a lot of pasta here...


Plus add some of the pasta cooking water to the sauce, the starch helps the sauce stick to the pasta.. making it creamer and flavorful.   Have to try that.... add only as needed.... 


Ok I did fly by the meat eating tips....




Buy your vegetables on Wednesday.   I have to say I work at a grocery store and guess what? We do get a delivery  on more then just Wednesday.  Of course I work for Sam's and we cater to the business owner but really you should ask about deliveries... I know many people don't have the time to go shopping during the week....  But then I also heard that the European way was to shop more than once a week or every two weeks.  .. Because how good is it if buy fresh fruits and vegetables and don't use them for a week?  (Yes Many vegetables can be stored for a week or longer. )

But again I do work at a grocery store I can do that.... I also have a chest freezer that I get extra vegetables and berries that I freeze when the price is great!!


Zap that citrus in the microwave for 15 seconds to get the most juice. I have been rolling mine on the counter!! 


Blend butter with olive oil to keep from the butter from burning easily. 


Keep out of the refrigerator. tomatoes, peaches, potatoes, onions, bread, garlic, and coffee
Crap I read somewhere that coffee stays better longer in the refrigerator... 

Making your own vinaigrette is easy!  3 part oil to 1 part vinegar. Add salt and pepper or herbs..

Too much salt add a splash of vinegar. Oh if I only knew that years ago..... 

Sweet Onion Dressing

A copy cat recipe that I changed for my families dislikes...


• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon buttermilk powder
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• 1 pinch garlic powder


 Combine all ingredients in a small microwave-safe bowl.
 Heat mixture uncovered in the microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on HIGH until mixture boils
rapidly.
 Whisk well, cover and cool.

No  artificial sweeteners or preservatives... like the name brand

What I am taking for Earth Day

Tomorrow is the Earth Day celebration and I have been trying to figure out what to take. I am going to be there about 12 hours so nothing to big to have to keep cold.... Cake? no... well I need some groceries and went shopping thinking I will figure it out there.. Bad Idea you think? Well I see that potatoes (oh yes I know they are in season for my area thanks to the local food finder Information courtesy of NRDC,) so when I saw them for $1.29 for ten pounds. I got a bag.

I am taking crock pot baked potatoes.

10-12 potatoes
butter

Wash the potatoes. Poke with fork. Grease the potatoes with a small amount of butter. Place in crock pot. cook 10-12 hours until tender. Do not add water.

Simple and I don't have worry about it going bad..... getting smashed or that the vegetarian will starve.

I will take sour cream, butter and some grated cheese to add to the potatoes after they are done......