Strawberry Colada Milkshakes

stawberry colada milkshake

Stawberry Colada Milkshakes

You know that time period between 3pm and 5:30pm?  I hate it!  The second my daughter gets in the car after school she wants to know what is for after school snack!  Not “Hi Mom” or anything…just “what’s for after school snack”.  And my answer is usually the same…I have no clue!  I was so excited when I threw this Strawberry Colada Milkshake together a couple weeks ago.

I can’t possibly be the only one with this dilemma   The kids haven’t eaten for several hours, but it’s too close to supper for a big snack.  They want something sweet, but I want them to have something healthy.

Stawberry Colada Milkshakes

These Strawberry Colada Milkshakes are the perfect balance of sweet and healthy, it has lots of fruit plus whole milk and vanilla yogurt.  A splash of coconut extract really turned this milkshake into an extra special treat.  My goof-ball kids didn’t even realize that it’s not really a strawberry (ice cream) milkshake!

Umm….I probably shouldn’t mention it, but I bet this would be good with a splash of rum.  That version would obviously be saved for an after-the-kids-are-in-bed treat.

 

Strawberry Colada Milkshakes

Strawberry Colada Milkshakes

Strawberries and pineapple combined with a little coconut extract make the perfect after school snack.

10 oz crushed pineapple in juice
1/2 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup whole milk
1/8 tsp coconut extract
1-2 cups ice

Place everything in a blender and process until smooth. Add additional ice until desired consistency is reached.

© Around My Family Table

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2013/02/strawberry-colada-milkshakes/

Disclaimer: This post was made in partnership with AZ Milk Producers.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels {and a Giveaway}

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels

I am totally in love with FlatOut Bread. We’ve been using it up a storm, including the Pinwheel Lavash Flatbread, so I had to share my latest creation with you. The kids loved it and satisfied their need for a sweet treat after school and after dinner, but I loved it because it was actually pretty darn healthy.

You saw my whole post using their flatbreads for pizza on the grill, right?? If not, check out my Pizza Fixin’s Bar Party Ideas from last week. I’m pretty sure that hubby thought it was genius! The kids loved it too because they weren’t stuck having gourmet pizzas, there were toppings for all taste buds!

This strawberry pinwheel treat is so easy and quick to throw together.  It was a last minute thought for a party I was having and I literally had 5 minutes before my guests arrived when I thought of it.  It was on a pretty plate on the table before the doorbell rang with the first guest.  I love it when I ideas work out and take no time at all…plus they were a HUGE hit with everyone.

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pinwheels

3-4 FlatOut Pinwheel Lavash Breads (or other bread for pinwheels)
16oz container strawberries, washed, dried, and thinly sliced
1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tsps milk
4 tsps honey

Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl.

Layout one pinwheel bread and spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture over 3/4 of the bread. On the end with the cream cheese place cut strawberries in a single layer over about one third of the bread, then drizzle with honey. (Note: Create it lengthwise and keep some clear space...it will roll best).

Begin rolling bread into a tight pinwheel. Slice into 6 pieces. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/10/strawberry-cream-cheese-pinwheels/

 

I would love to give y’all a chance to win a $50 gift card to WalMart to buy your own FlatOut Bread and a FlatOut goodie bag.

If Rafflecopter is down, just leave a comment about the recipe for your main entry and try again later to get your other entries. Sorry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: FlatOut Bread and the Motherhood are sponsoring the giveaway and provided me with product to use.

White Chocolate Covered Long Stem Strawberries

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

I had no plan to make chocolate covered strawberries yesterday, but when I went to the grocery store for salad fixin’s for supper these beautiful long stemmed strawberries started calling my name.  Gavin, my 3yo, hates strawberries and tried to talk me out of them…hoping for some grapes instead, but I couldn’t pass them up.  They were just gorgeous!

They are very impressive, but you can do this!  Even if you can’t find long stem strawberries, regular strawberries will work just fine.  I have picked up a few tricks over the years that make these almost fool-proof!  And the best part is that there is still time to make these for Mother’s Day!  Make them for yourself, your mom, or send your hubbyman the link….I promise…even hubbyman can make these!

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Dip Them!

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Fantastic parchment paper from PaperChef…one of the Camp Blogaway Sponsors.  Thanks for a great swag bag!  I saw them at my grocery store yesterday, but Amazon has them too!

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Use a zip-top baggie to add the fun stripes!

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Beautiful!

White Chocolate Covered Long Stem Strawberries

White Chocolate Covered Long Stem Strawberries

12 long stem strawberries
16 oz white chocolate chips*
2-4 tbls shortening
1/2 cup red candy melts
paper towels
parchment paper

Strawberries need time to dry completely after washing, so plan ahead!

Gently wash strawberries. Place in a single layer on paper towels to dry. After 30 minutes, move strawberries to new, dry paper towels and allow to finish drying. About 1-2 hours. They need to be completely dry or they will start to go bad quickly and seize the chocolate.

Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 1 minute. Stir. Continue cooking in 15 second intervals until completely melted. Stir in shortening (chocolate should be think enough to dip without clumping). Gently roll strawberries in melted chocolate. Place on parchment paper to cool and harden.

Melt red candy melts in a small microwave container using the same method above. Pour melted candy in a sandwich size zip-top baggie. Snip the end of one corner off (the smaller, the better). Drizzle over the berries. Bag should be about 12 inches above the berries and use long movements to get a pretty look.

Let sit for about 30 minutes-1 hour to finish drying.

*Or use almond bark and omit the shortening.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/05/white-chocolate-covered-long-stem-strawberries/

White Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Cool Instagram photo.  Are you on Instagram yet?  Find my at @myfamilytable!

 

Sandra’s Strawberry Daiquiri

strawberry daiquiri

 

A little over a week ago, I was wisked off to New York City for a small event with Sandra Lee, from Semi-Homemade on Food Network. It was an amazing trip and I can’t wait to share all of it with y’all this week! I toured around Manhattan for a few hours with a few Denise from Creative Kitchen Adventures and Kristen from Dine and Dish. We had a blast, but I will share those adventures later this week too!

I so wish I could take credit for this recipe, but it was served at the event and Sandra rattled off the recipe and I wrote it down because it was DELICIOUS! and I just knew y’all would love it!  However, there are not precise ingredient measurements for the drink because I figured, if you are like me, then you will adjust to your specific tastes anyway.  This is just a guideline!

Sandra’s Strawberry Daiquiri

Sandra’s Strawberry Daiquiri

3/4 part vodka
2 parts orange juice
1/4 part gin
Dash cogac
Lime juice
Strawberries, blended
Simple syrup, to taste*

Combine first 6 ingredients together in a large pitcher. Stir well to combine. Add simple syrup to taste.

*To make simple syrup, combine equal parts of sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is fully dissolved (about 5 minutes total).

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/05/sandras-strawberry-daquari/

Summer Berry Smoothie

Summer Berry Smooothie

This is my family’s all time favorite smoothie that I make.  During the summer, when berries are on sale I buy a gazillion of them, wash them, and freeze them in baggies so that we can have this smoothie year round.  In the winter, use the frozen berries and omit the ice and in the summer use the berries and add a cup of ice or two.  I also make this for dessert, but I had a touch of whipped cream to make it more “dessert-y” for the kids

One quick note, I’ve made this recipe with all sorts of types of orange juice and the quality of the OJ really plays a difference….look for one that is not from concentrate, such as Simply Orange.   Also, pick one that has pulp, it adds extra bulk and fiber.  You won’t notice it ones it all blended up.

 

Summer Berry Smoothie

3 cups strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries or mixed berries
1/2 cup pineapple
1 cup orange juice
1-2 cups of ice (depends on how thick you like your smoothies)

Place all ingredients in a blender.  Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until everything is smooth.  Add more ice if needed.

Simply Orange sent me a couple coupons to try their juice.  All opinions are mine!

Kids in the Kitchen: Canning Jam

Making Jam

Every summer, I make a ton of jam so that we have a healthier, all fruit version jelly/jam all year long.  Since my family’s favorites tend to be berries, I make it in the summer.  However, if your family is fond of more wintery fruits, make yours when the fruit is at it’s peak.  I make pear and pumpkin butter in fall and jam in the early summer!

I decided that it was time to start teaching my daughter how to can and what better way than with her favorite Strawberry Jam.  My daughter is 6 now (almost 7), but I did this with her last year when she was only 5.   Let me tell you that she had a blast and I even took a break while she worked in the kitchen.  So, if a 5 year old can do this, so can you!

There is some talk that the non-water bath (ie. flipping the jars upside down) method isn’t safe. Well, I’ve been doing it for years…my mom has done it even longer, and I think this is the same method my Granny has used. If you are worried, then process in a water bath.  Use your judgement and make a decision that works for your family.

See my Easy Canned Fruit and Pumpkin Butter recipes for more canning ideas.

Easy Fruit Jam

Equipment Needed (these can be used except the sealing lids which must be new):
quart-sized canning jars (wide mouth are best)
rings and sealing lids 
large pot for water bath
jar lifter
funnel
tongs
dry cloth
pot holders
spoons and ladle
magnet on a stick
butter knife

Easy Canned Fruit
-strawberries or other ripe berries
-sugar
-water
-pectin (I like the low sugar variety…it’s still a ton of sugar, trust me)

**There are no amounts listed.  It will take a lot of fruit (~4 pt of Strawberries).  It’s better to have too much than too little.  I always prepare more jars than I think I will need…a good amount to start with 6 quart jars and a couple pint jars as you should get about 8 cups of jam.

The pectin box has the amounts listed for various types of fruit in the instructions.  I use this as my guide, but I will walk you through it here as well.

1.  Fill your large canning pot 2/3 full with water and let it come to a boil while you work on everything else.

2. Prepare your jars and rings.  I find it easiest to wash them in the dishwasher using the hottest setting.  Others like to boil the jars and rings.  You need them hot and sanitized while working with them.

3. Prepare your fruit.  Wash and remove the greens and any blemishes from the fruit. Cut strawberries in halves or quarters other smaller berries can remain whole.  Mash the fruit up a little bit.  This step helps it break down faster when it’s on the stove.

4. Place a small pot on the stove, put in your sealing lids, and bring to a low boil.  Leave them here while working.

5. Work quickly from here on out! Follow the instructions in your pectin package.  Basically you will combine the strawberries and sugar in a large pot.  Bring to a boil and add the pectin…follow your pectin box for specifics.

6.  Ladle hot strawberry/pectin mixture into jars, leaving a 1/4 inch open space at the top.  Wipe ridges of jar clean.  Use a butter knife to gently work out any air bubbles.

7. Use magnet stick to get a sealing lid from boiling water, place on jar.  Screw on ring.

8. When all the jars are ready, place them in the large water bath using the can lifter or wire rack. (Note: one method is to turn the jars upside down for about 30 minutes and then flip upright.  The jars will seal as they cool.)

9.  Make sure the water completely covers the jars.  Process for 5-10 minutes in boiling water (start timer after water has returned to a boil).

10. Remove from water bath using jar lifter and tongs.  Place on a dry towel and allow to cool.  As the jars cool. you should hear the “ping” of the lids sealing and note the slight depression in the lid.  Wipe clean, add a label, and store in a cool dark cabinet.

Note: If the jar looks off to you, don’t eat the fruit.  This includes (but not limited to): jar not sealed, leaking, cracked jar, bulging lid, etc.


We made a lot more, but my daughter decided to start giving away our jam before I got a picture.

Teachable Moments: knife safety, hygiene, why pectin works, oven safety, fruit quality, homemade vs store bought (ie ingredient list)