Monday 23 April 2012

Ice Cream In A Blender

Coconut Ice Cream


Just when I was contemplating the purchase of a costly  ice cream maker, I came across a recipe for making ice cream in a blender. Of course my initial thoughts were “yeah, right,” but hey, anything that’s gonna save me money, I’m down with it, lol!!  

The process was so quick and easy I thought that I would wind up with a flavorless milkshake at best. Boy, was I wrong!! Dead wrong!!  In fact, I was so impressed with the outcome that I’m placing the purchase of an ice cream maker on hold.

The good thing about home-made ice cream is you know exactly what’s in it. There’s no need for all that artificial junk and it requires very few ingredients, but the flavor is nothing short of dynamic.

You could make any flavor you like,  just remember to have fun

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • 12 oz frozen whipped cream
  • ½ cup coconut flakes
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk (to taste)

Procedure:
  1. Place an ice cream bowl and lid in the freezer about an hour prior to making the ice cream.
  2. Place first 3 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Gradually add condensed milk until desired sweetness is achieved.
  3. Pour into ice cream bowl, cover and freeze for several hours (until ice cream is firm).


There you have it!!




Tuesday 17 April 2012

Cheese Danish
























Here’s a recipe for cheese danish that you simply must try. I promise you won’t be disappointed and may probably never purchase one from the store again. Trust me, they are far superior in taste!!!

Ingredients:
  • 8 oz room temp cream cheese
  • 4 tbsp  vanilla yogurt
  • 6 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 sheets thawed puff pastry
  • 1 beaten egg for egg wash

  
Directions:
  1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl and mix until creamy.
  3. Unfold puff pastry and roll on a lightly floured counter (be sure to put a bit of flour on the rolling pin and the pastry). Roll pastry to desired size and cut each one into four squares.
  4. Place a tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each square.
  5. Brush the edges of the squares with the egg wash and fold two corners diagonally. Place danish on baking sheet and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
  6. Before baking, brush the top of each danish with eggwash. Bake in a 350 degrees preheated oven for about half an hour or until puffed and golden brown.
  7. Allow filling to cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy.



Thursday 12 April 2012

Tropical Fruit Salad



Since it has been feeling pretty much like summer almost year-round (at least where I’m from), I’ve been prompted to make this tropical fruit salad. Healthy, delicious and refreshing, what more could you ask for?

There’s no need to be specific with the ingredients, unless of course, you’re on a restricted diet. Use whatever fruit you like, you can’t go wrong here.  You may use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness/tartness of your fruit.





My ingredients consisted of: 
  • Watermelon (cubed)
  • Cantaloupe (cubed)
  • Mango (cubed)
  • Red grapes (halved)
  • White grapes (halved)
  • Juice from two oranges
  • 2 tbsp sugar








I combined all of the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl. For the vanity shot, I carved out half of a small watermelon and cantaloupe and filled them with my fruit mixture. Where’s the easy button, lol!!

Sunday 8 April 2012

Banana Yogurt Drink


Here's a way to jazz up that boring orange juice; add yogurt, blend and enjoy. I've seen similar recipes that use ice, but to me that just waters it down. I placed my orange juice in the freezer until it started to slush, added banana yogurt (la yogurt), a teaspoon of sugar, blended the ingredients and voila!! It doesn't get any easier than that. Remember to adjust quantities to suit your taste and enjoy :)


Wednesday 4 April 2012

Sweet and Sour Chicken


This is another first for me. Remember, everything doesn't have to be an exact science. I had a blast with this dish, my husband asked for seconds. Enjoy!!


Ingredients:
  • 2 skinless chicken breasts (cut into medium chunks)
  • ½ green sweet pepper
  • ½ onion
  • 8 oz can of pineapple chunks (drain & preserve juice)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • Juice from pineapple chunks
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar


Directions:
  1. Season chicken and allow to marinate for about an hour
  2. Heat a skillet with about 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  3. Brown chicken pieces on both sides, but do not allow to cook thoroughly
  4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside
  5. Add sweet pepper & onion to skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes
  6. Add chicken, pineapple chunks and sauce and combine well.
  7. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes or until chicken is done.
  8. Serve over white rice


Sauce:
Combine ketchup, pineapple juice, vinegar and sugar in a medium bowl. Do a taste test to see if desired result is achieved.