Christmas Eve Punch=032610

Christmas Eve Punch

1 can pineapple juice
1 can frozen lemonade
1 can frozen orange juice
1 can frozen lime juice
1 pkg. strawberries
2 apples, peeled and chopped in blender
4 bananas chopped in blender
1 1/2 gallons pineapple sherbet
1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale

Prepare frozen juices according to directions. Mix apples, bananas, and strawberries with 1 cup pineapple juice and blend in blender. Put mixture in freezer until slushy. Add sherbet and ginger ale. Serve.


1 can pineapple juice
1 can frozen lemonade
1 can frozen orange juice
1 can frozen lime juice
1 pkg. strawberries
2 apples, peeled and chopped in blender
4 bananas chopped in blender
1 1/2 gallons pineapple sherbet
1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale

Prepare frozen juices according to directions. Mix apples, bananas, and strawberries with 1 cup pineapple juice and blend in blender. Put mixture in freezer until slushy. Add sherbet and ginger ale. Serve.

Mexican Hot Cocoa=032110

Mexican Hot Cocoa

1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 c. cold water
6 c. milk
1 tbsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, cocoa powder, flour, cinnamon, and salt in a large saucepan. Stir in cold water and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often. Slowly stir in milk and heat almost to boiling. Remove from heat, add vanilla. With a rotary beater or mixer, beat the mixture until it is frothy. Serve garnished with cinnamon stick and/or whipped cream. May add a splash of rum per serving for that special twist.

Makes 10 servings.

Strawberry Energy Drink

1/2 c. frozen strawberries
2 tbsp. honey
1/3 c. non-fat dry milk powder
2 long peach halves
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 c. ice cubes

Place strawberries, honey, milk, peach halves and lemon juice in blender container. Cover; blend on high speed until fruit is pureed. Add ice cubes. Cover; blend on high speed until ice is finely chopped.

Lime Flavored Punch

4 c. boiling water
5 c. cold water
2 pkg. lime flavor gelatin
1 c. sugar
12 lemons (juiced)
1 no. 2 can of pineapple juice

Dissolve 4 cups of hot water, 2 pkg. of lime gelatin and 1 cup of sugar and let stand.

Take juice from 12 lemons and add 5 more cups of cold water and let stand about 20 minutes.

Combine together can of pineapple juice, the lemon water mix, and the lime water, sugar and gelatin mix. Stir together and serve.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

10 oz fresh strawberries, stems removed
2 ripe bananas
3 tablespoons sugar or honey
1 cup ice cubes
3/4 cup milk, yogurt, kefir or coconut water

Wash strawberries and remove banana peels. In a blender, process all ingredients until smooth. For a little extra flavor, a few drops of vanilla or almond extract may be used, but do not overdo as a few drops go a long way.

Cooks Tip: In the Cooks.com test kitchen, we sometimes thicken smoothies with "Thicken-Up" or "Clear-Jel" which is a modifed food starch that thickens without having to be cooked. It is available from restaurant supply stores.

Chocolate Mint Milkshake

A cool, refreshing milkshake that will have you craving for more; and all you need is milk, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and a few drops of some peppermint extract.

4 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chocolate syrup
1 drop peppermint extract

In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, chocolate syrup and peppermint extract. blend until smooth. pour into glasses and serve. Makes 2 servings.

Vanilla Almond Coffee

1/3 cup ground coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon anise seeds

Place coffee in a blender or food processor fitted with a steel blade. In cup, combine remaining ingredients. WIth processor runnin, add flavorings.

Stop and scrape sides of container with spatula. Process 10 seconds longer.

Store in refrigerator.

Yield: mix for eight 6 ounce servings.

Orange Julie Beverage

1/3 c. orange juice frozen concentrate
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
5-6 ice cubes

Combine in blender and whip on high until smooth (maximum 30 seconds). A whole egg may be added to make a really nutritious breakfast drink. 2 large drinks or 4 small.

Sublime Lime Drink

1 qt. vanilla ice cream
1 qt. sherbet (lime)
1 (6 oz.) frozen limeade
1 (12 oz.) can frozen lemonade
1 qt. cold water
1 qt. milk
2 qts. 7-Up (Add just before serving)

Makes about 5 quarts plus 7-Up.

Frozen Four Fruit Punch

1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 (6 oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate
1/4 c. lemon juice
1 qt. pineapple juice or pineapple bits (20 oz. can)
1 pt. vanilla ice cream

In punch bowl prepare frozen juice according to directions. Add ice cream.

Very Berry Banana Drink

1 ripe banana
3/4 c. frozen whole or fresh berries
1 c. cold milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 scoop vanilla ice cream

Wash the berries, if fresh, and drain. Peel the banana, add the berries and mash with a fork on a plate. In a deep bowl, pour the milk and vanilla. Add mashed fruit to bowl and beat with egg beater until well mixed. Pour into a tall glass and float a scoop of ice cream on top.