Limeade Strawberry Punch

My friend Ivey has made this at a shower and party I have attended in her home. It is always a huge hit - it is so good.

1 Can Frozen Limeade Concentrate
1 2-liter Sprite
1 bag Sonic Ice
1 Cup Fresh Strawberries, quartered
1/2 lime, sliced in thin circles

To a punch bowl add limeade, sprite and ice (Sonic Ice a must). Then add strawberries and limes to top for garnish. Very simple, elegant and refreshing.

Side note- every time Ivey makes this she goes through at least two bowls. Have extra ingredients on hand for refills.

Circus McGurkus Pink Lemonade

Yet another recipe from the cookbook.

2 to 3 Tbsps sugar

2 Tbsps hot water

1 1/2 Cups cold water

Juice of one Lemon

2 Tbsp Black Cherry Juice

Combine the sugar and hot water in a tall glass - stir until dissolves. Add cold water, lemon juice, cherry juice and stir. Makes 1 Serving

Smoothies

I found these two smoothie recipes at The Bargain Shopper Lady's personal blog. You can go here to see the original recipe. Yum!

1/2 a large container Plain Yogurt
1/2 of a container of Strawberries
2 Bananas
Organic Apple Juice (to make it naturally sweet)
Ice

Mix them all together in a mixer except for the ice (add ice and mix again).

Another version if you are in an "ice creamy" mood...
1/2 a large container of Plain Yogurt
1/3 a bag of frozen Strawberries (unsweetened
1/8 a bag of frozen blueberries (unsweetened)
Organic Apple Juice
You don't need ice because the berries are frozen! Mix together in blender.

Hot Cocoa & Homemade Marshmallows

I made this for Christmas gifts for the ladies in my Bible study. The cocoa is really good and the marshmallows are easy (& good) if you have a stand mixer.

Hot Cocoa mix:

3/4 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup powdered creamer

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

4 ounces semisweet chocolate (Ghiradelli - baking isle)

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Take the semisweet chocolate and roughly chop it up to give a chunky but consistent size. Mix well with a wooden spoon and then store in a dry airtight container.

Adapted from Tyler Florence's recipe

To make a cup of hot chocolate, simply add 2 tablespoons cocoa mix to 8 ounces hot milk. Top with a marshmallow.

Homemade Marshmallows:

3 packages unflavored gelatin

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Recipe Courtesy of Ina Gartner