Drinks Archives - Crafty Cooking Mama

Rich & Creamy Mochaccino

January 23, 2019 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This post is sponsored by Left Field Farms but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Today I’m sharing a lush & creamy mochaccino recipe that you can easily make at home. Plus I’m introducing you to Left Fields coffee creamers!

Rich & Creamy Mochaccino | www.craftycookingmama.com

All things are possible with coffee….and everyday starts with coffee!!!

I keep breakfast coffee simple. Just coffee & creamer for me, thank you very much.

Left Field Farms Coffee Creamer | www.craftycookingmama.com

Sometimes, later in the day, I might fancy myself a bit of a coffee treat…

Coffeehouses are so overpriced – I try to visit them only on occasion. I have fun creating some of my favorite coffee specialty drinks in my home – and it’s surprisingly simple as well!

I recently discovered Left Field Farms coffee creamers and I’m loving adding these creamers to my coffee!

Left Field Farms coffee creamer is simple, delicious and Non-GMO Project Verified. Left Field Farms coffee creamer is made with real cream, real sugar and real milk.

Left Field Farms was created by a collection of like-minded farmers, thinkers and doers that stand for good food, healthy communities and fresh ideas in agriculture.

Left Field Farms coffee creamers contain no artificial flavors and are made with real cream and sugar. They’re cows are given only non-GMO feed and are never treated with rBST.

You’ll find Left Field Farms coffee creamers in the dairy aisle at your local Walmart – grab a bottle or two! You’ll be glad you did ♥

You can easily mix this mochaccino up. Heat up some good & strong coffee, chocolate, cinnamon and Left Field Farm creamer in a saucepan until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Pour into your favorite coffee cup, top with some whipped cream & enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by ♥

Amanda

Grab Left Field Farms Coffee Creamers at your local Walmart!

Click here for Left Field Farms Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Click here for Left Field Farms Sweet & Creamy Creamer

Print Recipe

Rich & Creamy Mochacinno

Create this lush mochacinno quickly & easily at home!

Servings: 1

Ingredients

3/4 cup good, strong coffee
1/4 cup Left Field Farms Sweet & Creamy Creamer
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
pinch cinnamon
whipped cream to serve

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Whisk over med/low heat until chocolate is completely melted and all chocolate specks are gone. Serve topped with whipped cream. Enjoy ♥

Santa’s White Christmas® & Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies

November 22, 2017 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Barnie’s Coffee as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Today I’m sharing with you a holiday coffee that I’ve fallen in love with and a great cookie to go along. OH – and a 30% discount as well!!!

We all have a certain scent that gets the holiday season started for us. Be it baked goods, scented candles, a freshly cut Christmas tree – some fond aroma signals it for us.

Of course we all have foods & drinks that make our taste buds happily aware the holiday season is among us. Tastes that just sing out loud “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” ♥

Santa’s White Christmas® from Barnie’s Coffee does both.

Brew a pot of this coffee and your whole house smells like the sweetest Christmas memory. It makes me think of Christmas morning – while we brew a big pot of coffee and munch on leftover cookies we baked for Santa.

Taste just one sip of this coffee and you’ll be in the mood for all things Christmas. Christmas decorating, caroling, wrapping presents – it’s so festive!

Santa’s White Christmas® flavored ground coffee, a Barnie’s Coffee exclusive, was first introduced as a holiday coffee in 1995 and has quickly become a year-round best seller. This coffee, made with high quality beans, combines the flavors of coconut, nuts, sweet caramel and vanilla.

To think I’m just discovering it now. Better late than never, right!?!

One sip and I’ve fallen in love. With it’s nutty, coconut & caramel flavor – it’s a tradition I’ll be adding to my Christmas season! It’s delicious, it’s rich, it’s smooth, it’s so flavorful – it’s absolutely unforgettable! With a splash of half & half – this is coffee perfection.

I ~~a bit~~ greedily enjoyed all these bags of coffee for myself – BUT – I love my friends and family so much that I need to share. The bags of Santa’s White Christmas® are so festive – they’re perfect for all your holiday gift giving.

Since I’m such a sweetie, I’ll bake some cookies to go along as gifts. These Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies pair nicely – but really, and cookie you bake will be a hit with this coffee.

Santa’s White Christmas® is available ground, whole bean, decaf, in single serve cups, cold brew pods and tea. Something for everyone on your nice list!

Barnie’s Coffee is available in-store and online. If you, my loyal reader, are shopping online you can enjoy a 30% discount off Santa’s White Christmas® at Barnie’s Coffee! Just in time for the start of your holiday shopping! Just use promo code CRAFTYCOOKINGMAMA30 at checkout.

Tis’ the season – enjoy it! This coffee will be sure to keep us all happy, festive & energized this holiday season!

Thanks so much for stopping by ♥

Amanda

Visit Barnie’s Coffee to shop & learn more about Santa’s White Christmas®! Don’t forget about your discount!

Love Santa’s White Christmas® from Barnie’s Coffee? Share that love online with #ShowUsYourSanta

Print Recipe

Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies

A nice and easy recipe for soft & chewy Chocolate Chip Mint Cookies! Makes a delicious Christmas or anytime cookie!

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: cookies

Servings: 3 dozen

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1/2 cup salted butter softened
1/2 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup mint chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°.
In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugars.
Beat in eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined.
Add in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt until combined.
Fold in mint chocolate chips.
Drop heaping tablespoons of cookie dough on ungreased cookie sheet - leaving 2-3 inches space between.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookie is set.
Let rest on cookie sheet for a minute and transfer to wire rack to cool.
Enjoy ♥

Cameron Hughes Wine

September 26, 2017 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I love sharing all things about food and drinks that get me excited! I’ve seriously fallen in love with Cameron Hughes wines and had to share a bit more about them. Learn more about their wines, some pairings and score FREE SHIPPING on your order.

I was provided with a free product to sample. I was not financially compensated for this post. All thoughts & opinions are always my own ♥

Do you know what just about the best package EVER is to get delivered at your door?

Wine. A big box of wine.

I couldn’t wait to rip that box open and try each one. I’ve heard so many good things about Cameron Hughes Wines and knew I had been a bit late to the game on this wine.

A little about Cameron Hughes…

“At Cameron Hughes Wine, our philosophy is simple – great wine doesn’t have to be expensive.

As a négociant (wine trader), we meet with top growers and producers all over the world. Sometimes we buy wine still in the barrel, and other times we buy “shiners” (wine already in a bottle with no label). Regardless of how we get it, the mission is simple: buy the best possible wine for the best possible price.

Since we don’t own vineyards or a winery, we focus on finding the best wine and negotiating the best price.

All our deals are typically protected by an agreement to keep the source producer or winery’s name secret – it’s how we can offer a $100 Napa Cab for $30 a bottle, or a $60 bottle of Pinot for under $20.

We typically release over 30 wines a year. As a result, the variety in our store is always changing, but one thing remains the same: Cameron Hughes stands behind each and every bottle.”

I started tasting with my absolute favorite wine, a syrah. I loved it! This bottle compared to bottles I’ve had in the $50+ range.

I served this syrah with a portabella stuffed with diced eggplant, garlic, bacon & Parmesan. The dish complimented the wine nicely.

I know mushrooms are hit or miss for most folks. If they’re a hit for you then I’m sure you’ll enjoy another portabella recipe in your collection. I try to make use of local in-season ingredients as much as possible and I’ve been getting my hands on some gorgeous eggplant. I find diced eggplant, bacon, garlic, olive oil & Parmesan to be a combo you just can’t go wrong with. Served in a portabella – yes. Tossed with pasta – yes. On top of fresh crusty bread – yum.

Onto the Pinot Noir. Sometimes I find a Pinot Noir a bit too fruity for my tastes – but I could not put the glass down on this one!

We enjoyed this Pinot Noir with a simple snack of prosciutto, mozzarella and basil. It paired beautifully – but I was far more enthralled with the wine.

On a lighter note, wine pairings are certainly not a strict art form and truly come down to your tastes & preferences.

Onto Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon. If you’ve heard anything about Cameron Hughes before, it’s probably been about their Cabs. They put out an AMAZING bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. You can expect to pay $100+ for a bottle of this quality. If you’re gonna start anywhere – start with this bottle. You’ll thank me later!

I suggest, whole heartily, to always read comments and reviews the first time you try a new wine. You’ll always find some solid advice as to how to drink it or what to expect.

From the wine novice, to the wine lover – even to the Sommelier – I absolutely recommend Cameron Hughes wines. You get an extraordinary bottle of wine for an amazing price. You seriously cannot ask for anymore.

I’m excited to be able to offer my reader FREE SHIPPING (within the US) on any Cameron Hughes order.

I tasted the wines of the “Introduction to Cameron Hughes Wine” Sampler and highly recommend it. You’ll also find single bottles of your favorites whites & reds, additional samplers plus gift & wine club offers.

Thanks for stopping by! Cheers ♥

-Amanda-

Visit Cameron Hughes to learn more about their wines & what they’re all about!

Let’s not forget about FREE SHIPPING. Use promo code craftycooking to receive FREE shipping on ANY order within the US.

Grapefruit Margarita

August 18, 2017 by Amanda 4 Comments

The Perfect Grapefruit Margarita. We’re going back to basics here. A grapefruit, a lime, tequila and perhaps a drizzle of agave. Fresh & simple ingredients are all you need for Margarita perfection.

I love making cocktails – especially summer cocktails. All the flavors are so fresh, bright & crisp.

I’ve always been head over heels for margaritas, but of course have tasted my fair share of sad ones. Pre-made mixes from plastic jugs just don’t cut it.

My husband and I got out, by ourselves, for a date night a few weeks back. This rarely happens. Seriously…3-4 times a year max. We’re working on it…

Anyhow….I was DYING for good Mexican food, so Mexican it was. The food was superb – but my cocktail, not so much. What did I drink? You guessed it – a Grapefruit Margarita.

So what was wrong, you ask? Simple. Too much unnecessary stuff – not enough of the basics.

I tasted orange in it. Why? I really don’t know why. A lot of people add triple sec or orange liquor to this drink. Not necessary. Skip it – seriously.

The other obvious was that it was cheap bottled grapefruit juice and some type of margarita mixer. Don’t. Just don’t.

So what do you need for the perfect Grapefruit Margarita? We’re going totally back to basics here. A grapefruit, a lime, tequila and perhaps a drizzle of agave. Not that crazy, right? Shake it until you can’t shake it anymore and strain it into a salt rimmed glass. Enjoy ♥

Cheers to sunny days and fresh & flavorful cocktails!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Grapefruit Margarita

The Perfect Grapefruit Margarita. We're going back to basics here. A grapefruit, a lime, tequila and perhaps a drizzle of agave. Fresh & simple ingredients are all you need for Margarita perfection.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 drink

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1 large grapefruit about 1/2 cup juice
1 medium sized lime about 1/4 cup juice
2 ounces tequila
1 teaspoon agave

Instructions

Juice grapefruit & lime. I find it best to let them rest at room temp about an hour before using.
Combine juices, tequila & agave over ice. Shake vigorously.
Strain and serve in margarita glass - salt rimmed if preferred.
Enjoy ♥

Espresso Martini

June 20, 2017 by Amanda 4 Comments

Say hello to The Espresso Martini. Espresso, Vanilla Infused Vodka & Kahula create this bold, delicious and buzzy cocktail ♥

Whew. It’s been a hectic week or two. School is out & the kiddos are home. The days are long…..

After the first week of school being out, I found myself behind on work, sunburned, exhausted and standing amidst a house that looked like it had a brush in with a tornado. It’s not very often I want a cocktail – but this certainly was the occasion.

I’ll admit. This recipe was well planned out ahead of time – I just didn’t get around to making it for a month or two.

I bought a new espresso machine awhile back and we’ve been drinking copious amounts of it. I love espresso desserts and knew that I had to get on a few good cocktail recipes as well.

As with every cocktail, you’ll find a thousand different formulas. When it comes to creating your perfect drink, you should make it to your taste. Make, shake and taste until you’ve created your perfect concoction.

My perfect Espresso Martini is made with vanilla vodka. Not so much the sweet vanilla vodka you’ll find at your liquor store, but a simple vanilla infused vodka you make at home. Though if you like the bottled vanilla stuff – I won’t judge 😉

Making a vanilla infused vodka will take a week or two and about almost zero effort. Slice a vanilla bean, throw it in a bottle of decent vodka and give it a shake & swirl once a day. Taste after a week. If you want more vanilla flavor, let the vodka sit for a few more days until you’ve reached your desired taste. Strain the vodka & enjoy.

Much like my coffee & espresso – I don’t like this cocktail with any extra sweetness. I’m sweet enough 😉 If you find this martini a little too stiff for you taste, go ahead and add a 1/4 – 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.

Cheers to the summer crazies. Thanks for stopping by ♥

-Amanda-

Print Recipe

Espresso Martini

Say hello to The Espresso Martini. Espresso, Vanilla Infused Vodka & Kahula create this bold, delicious and buzzy cocktail ♥

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 drink

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz espresso
1 oz Kahula
optional - I do not use 1/4 - 1/2 oz simple syrup

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and top with ice.
Shake. Shake vigorously. Shake until your hand is so cold you just can't take it anymore.
Strain into a martini glass. Serve immediately.

Rich & Creamy Hot Cocoa with OREO

February 6, 2017 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #OREOSuperDunk #CollectiveBias

As much as I complain about the cold weather – I must admit – a part of me loves it. I love the change of the seasons and the unique beauty each season brings. Winter brings crisp cold weather, snowy days, gray-blue skys and long starry nights. Mother nature takes a much needed break from full bloom.

Although most cold days I’d prefer to hibernate, my kids seem pretty resilient to the near artic temperatures. They bundle up, play in the snow, blow bubbles, roller skate, play basketball, hula hoop – things normal people would do in warm weather. They’ll go and go until I force them to come inside. Red cheeked and frozen hands – they reluctantly come in.

I don’t spoil my girls too much – but I certainly enjoy making the most of the little moments in life. Nothing warms up cold kissed faces, frozen noses and fingers quicker than a mug of hot cocoa and their favorite snack – OREO cookies.

The girls can’t eat an OREO without dunking. Most months of the year they request a big glass of cold milk, but on cold days, we dunk “winter style” with our favorite cup of hot cocoa.

I’ve gave up hot chocolate powdered mixes long ago. Its so simple to make a thick, creamy, rich & delicious cup of hot cocoa with ingredients you already have on hand.

Served with your favorite OREO cookies – this is snack perfection – for kids and adults alike. We can never decide between Original OREO or Golden OREO Cookies – so we just have to buy and eat them both 🙂

Hope you enjoy this winter season!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

How do you dunk!? Head over to Oreo Dunk Challenge to share your most creative dunks!

Print Recipe

Hot Cocoa / Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy & delicious hot cocoa. So much warm chocolate goodness! Takes only 5 minutes to make!

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 2 -3 cups

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

3 cups milk I prefer 2% to whole
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
Heat over medium heat. Stir constantly. Do not let mixture come to a boil & do not walk away from stove.
Keep stirring constantly until chips are melted. You should see lots of chocolate specs - start whisking mixture until all specs are melted. This will take about 5 minutes start to finish.
Turn heat off & use ladle to pour into mugs. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon & top with whipped cream if desired.

I headed to my local Redner’s Market to stock up on OREO cookies, milk and everything else we needed for snacktime perfection ♥

Honey Beer

December 24, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

It’s cold out! Warm yourself up with a sweet & simple honey beer. Made with your favorite ale and a German honey liquor so sweet it brings the bears out ♥

It’s Christmas Eve! The countdown is over – we just have to get thru the day! Yay!

Although I’m not the best at keeping up with holiday foods and trends, I do try to work in at least one or two recipes for each holiday. I’ll admit, planning is not my thing. I’m much more of a “go with the flow” type person. Or scramble around last minute. Both happen. Both work out just fine for me.

So I’ve been baking. It was cookie crazy over here. I attempted a batch of Marrons Glacé with my daughter for a school project – she was working on Christmas in France. Marrons Glacé – yeah, we’re going to need some more practice on that one. The truffles though – they were perfect!

I had a few awesome holiday cocktails I really wanted to share – but I just didn’t get there. In all honestly, I don’t really drink that often and only mix up proper cocktails while entertaining. The candy cane martinis will have to wait until next year…sorry.

Oh, and I’ve gotten way too distracted with kombucha. Totally off subject, I know. Anyhow, I’ve been drinking so much of it again that it’s getting super costly. I knew it was time to start brewing it myself. So in the bit of spare time I ~~don’t~~ have I’ve been working on growing a baby SCOBY and other fermented drink projects. Don’t worry, you’ll all be hearing about it soon enough.

Ahhhh…but I found myself needing to whip up a light, last minute holiday drinky-drink and I knew I had the two perfect ingredients in house to make that happen….

I’ll share with you one of my favorite liquors. Bärenjäger. It’s a very sweet but strong honey liqueur. It’s said that the recipe was originally used by German bear hunters to lure bears out of their caves, hence the name Bärenjäger (bear hunter) or Bärenfang (bear trap). It’s a cute story that I remembered when my husband was going to bear camp this year, so I decided a bottle for him & his buddies would be mandatory for good luck. (No one got a bear, lol.)

This liquor was not available at my local Wine & Spirits Store but they were able to order it and have it for me in a day. *Side note – I live in Pennsylvania and most people are mind boggled, and rightfully so, by our liquor laws. Only state owned stores can sells liquors and wine is funny business too unless you’re a winery. The township I live in is dry. Seriously, no liquor sales permitted. I kid you not.* Anyhow, if it’s not something sitting on the shelf at your liquor store, I’m sure they can get it for you.

So how do I most enjoy this liquor? Paired up with a Belgian White. A half ounce of Bärenjäger, a squirt of fresh orange or lemon and topped with ale – it might just be my favorite way to enjoy a beer. Well, actually, dark beers reign supreme for my taste buds…so this is my favorite non dark beer concoction 🙂

Bärenjäger is a sipping liquor, I would also like to try it warm sometime. It can be added to any drink where you would like some honey flavor. I’m thinking it would be fun to bake with it or soak a cake with it.

There’s a lot of simple & delicious ways you can change up your favorite beer – fruits, spices, liquors, hot sauces. Change is fun for all the adventurous beer lovers.

I’m done with today’s ramblings. I’m going to enjoy this moment of silence I have during the holiday season, sip on this honey beer and admire our Christmas tree. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah & Happy Holidays to everyone! Hugs & love to you all ♥

-Amanda-

This is NOT a sponsored post of any type. For more info on Bärenjäger – here’s the website.

Print Recipe

Honey Beer

A sweet & simple honey beer. Made with your favorite ale and a German honey liquor so sweet it brings the bears out ♥

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 beer

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1/2 ounce Bärenjäger
fresh orange or lemon slice
12 oz. Belgian Style White or other favorite beer
pint glass

Instructions

Pour 1/2 ounce of Bärenjäger in glass.
Top with beer.
Add lemon or orange slice - squeeze in before drinking.
Enjoy 🙂

Homemade DIY Chocolate Syrup

October 17, 2016 by Amanda 13 Comments

Make your own chocolate syrup in minutes – just like Hershey’s. Makes a mean glass of chocolate milk. Or drizzle on top of ice cream, fruits, desserts – you do you ♥

I’m always on a quest to make things at home that you would usually buy ready made or prepackaged at a store. Sometimes I want a healthier alternative, sometimes I’m trying to save a few bucks & other times I’m just too lazy to go to the store. For whatever motivation, I find myself experimenting often.

I’ve already shared a recipe for Powdered Chocolate Milk Mix. Think Nesquik. It gets mostly good reviews. Except for this one.

Said one reader:

“I am actually disappointed with this. I was really looking forward to a nice cold glass of chocolate milk. But instead I was greeted with a cup of lies and sadness.”

Ouch. So what happened here? I think one of three things. They could be accustomed to store bought, super creamy & chocolatey chocolate milk – which you’ll never make at home by just stirring in a syrup or powder. Sorry, but not sorry.

Perhaps they’re used to chocolate milk made with chocolate syrup which is definitely a sweeter version than powdered.

Or last, they weren’t happy with how it takes some effort to get the powder to dissolve into the milk. Which, I may add, is currently the issue I’ve been having with the store bought powdered stuff I’m using. My kiddo takes a sip, puts it down and by the time she returns for another sip, all the powder has sunk to the bottom. Boohoo.

I’ll say that I have never been a huge fan of chocolate syrup. Not on my ice cream nor in my milk. I swore by the powdered stuff for chocolate milk. Kids & finicky tastes have me singing a different tune these days…

It’s certainly simple to make. Throw it all in a saucepan and heat & stir. That’s it.

Give it a try – it really is impressive. It’s quick, simple & cheap to make. I really prefer the half corn syrup/half sugar version, but go for the all sugar version if you don’t have any corn syrup on hand. The chocolate milk lovers in my house are loving this stuff!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Amanda-

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Homemade DIY Chocolate Syrup

Make your own chocolate syrup in minutes - just like Hershey's. Makes a mean glass of chocolate milk ♥

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 1 1/2 cups

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1/2 cup cocoa powder regular, unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
NOTES
*I recommend regular cocoa powder. I tried Dutch processed - it's just not as good.
*You may omit the corn syrup and use 1 cup sugar total. The corn syrup version was preferred.

Instructions

Combine cocoa powder & water in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk until smooth & thick.
Add in sugar, corn syrup & salt. Continue to cook & whisk for a few minutes, until mixture comes to a light boil.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Store refrigerated in sealed jar.
For chocolate milk - add 2-3 tablespoons (to taste) to a glass of milk.

Garden Veggie Spread

June 24, 2016 by Amanda 12 Comments

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Snapple. The opinions and text are all mine. #TrueTeaTaste

Summer comes only once a year! I like to make the most of these beautiful sunny days and keep life as simple as possible. With so much outdoor work to do (in addition to all the normal day to day tasks) indoor chores get cut back. Extensive cooking & baking goes south for the summer – I try to keep the food and drinks easy. Fresh, simple, laid back food for mostly laid back days.

The joys of summer bring fresh veggies. Some of us garden, some of us grab it from a local produce stand or market. Either or – it’s here, it’s in abundance and it’s just begging to be tossed into every dish imaginable. Nothing beats local produce, and for many of us, this season is only a few short months each year.

I have a stockpile of quick and easy recipes to get our fill of summer veggies in. This Veggie Spread is one of my favorites. It’s simple and can be easily made to your tastes and with whatever veggies you have on hand. Chop up some veggies, toss everything in the food processor and your spread is ready!

I enjoy this Veggie Spread as a light afternoon snack. It’s a nice midday break – served with crackers and a delicious iced tea. Think summer tea time 🙂

I’m a big tea drinker, hot and cold, and love it in all shapes and forms. I enjoy brewing my own iced tea but it seems supply just can’t meet demand in my home during the summer season, so I keep my fridge stocked with Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea. I love this stuff! Made with all-natural ingredients – nothing artificial – it has everything you need in it and none of the stuff you don’t. This tastes like iced tea is meant to taste!

I’m so excited about the two new varieties – Snapple® Straight Up™ Tea Rooibos and Sorta Sweet Honey Green Tea. Both these teas are light, tasty and refreshing – perfect for sipping any day!

Enjoy all the tastes of the season and live that laid back summer living!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

Head over to Snapple® for product information, bottle cap facts and kooky fun 🙂

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Garden Veggie Spread

A quick & easy spread / dip using fresh garden veggies. This recipe is easily adaptable - use your favorite veggies, herbs and spices to create your own perfect Vegetable Spread! I often add more onions & garlic for myself or add whatever herbs are growing in abundance. Enjoy!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: dips, veggies

Servings: 4 -8 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1- 8 oz package cream cheese cubed
3/4 cup chopped bell peppers - I used half green and half yellow
1 medium carrot grated
1 stalk celery chopped
3 radishes chopped
3-4 spring onions snipped + extra for garnish
1 clove garlic minced
1-2 tablespoons half & half optional
freshly cracked salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Prep & chop all veggies.
Place cubed cream cheese and all veggies into food processor. Pulse until desired consistency. If you want a chunkier spread, process less. If spread is too thick for your liking, a tablespoon or two of half and half may be added.
Alternatively, if you didn't want to use a food processor, chop veggies finely or grate and stir by hand.
Transfer spread to mixing bowl. Salt & pepper to taste, stir.
Store covered in fridge for a few hours, allowing flavors to blend.
Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, pita chips or wheat crackers. Garnish with additional pepper & snipped spring onions. Enjoy 🙂

Boozy Eggnog | Brandy & Rum Eggnog

December 20, 2015 by Amanda 5 Comments

Boozy Eggnog without the raw eggs. Enjoy this thick, creamy & delicious drink made with heated eggs, cream, brandy and rum. Happy Holidays!

I can’t resist making a batch of eggnog every year! It’s a fun, boozy, delicious, creamy, super rich drink just for the holidays.

I have a few different recipes I make, today I’m sharing a family recipe. I’ve made one big change to this recipe over the years – I no longer use raw eggs in it. The eggs are still there, they’re just heated to a safe temperature.

Someone had told me a few years back that I was taking the fun out of eggnog by no longer using raw eggs. Seriously? I was kind of taken back by that. I wasn’t aware that salmonella was part of the party.

So why is everyone so nonchalant about raw eggs? The story is “everyone has eaten raw cookie dough for years and has never gotten sick.” That may be so, but eggs still test positive for salmonella.

Others will say it’s okay to use fresh raw organic eggs from small, local farms. Really? I have chickens. I have fresh and organic eggs every single day – so fresh, they’re warm. Guess what – I’m not consuming any of those eggs raw.

So here’s the reality of the matter. If you’re okay with the risks associated with consuming raw eggs, that’s fine – go for it. If you’re making this drink for others to enjoy, it’s just irresponsible to serve it uncooked. It’s best to err on the side of caution.

So all you have to do is heat the sugar, eggs and half of the cream together for a few minutes in a saucepan until it reaches 160°. Pull it off the heat, stir in the remainder of the ingredients, bottle and refrigerate. That wasn’t so bad, now was it?

Eggnog is absolutely best when it’s sat for at least a day or two allowing flavors to blend. Taste it after it’s just been made & chilled, taste it again half a day later, then taste it a day later. The difference will be night and day. At first, it’s so rough around the edges it’s almost undrinkable. A day or two later – it’s sweet, smooth and mellow. You’ll be wondering why we don’t drink eggnog more often 🙂

I hope you enjoy this recipe for eggnog! Get to making it the next day or two and it will be prime drinking for Christmas day! Happy Holidays!

-Amanda-

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Boozy Eggnog Without The Raw Eggs

Boozy Eggnog made without the raw eggs! Enjoy this thick, creamy & delicious drink made with heated eggs, cream, brandy and rum. A holiday favorite!

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Drinks

Servings: 5 cups

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

4 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 quart heavy whipping cream, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup brandy up to 1 cup
1/4 cup rum

Instructions

In a large saucepan, whisk together eggs and sugar.
Whisk in 2 cups of cream.
Cook over low/ med-low heat for approx 5-10 minutes. Stir constantly, do not allow mixture to boil, until the temperature just reaches 160°.
Remove from heat immediately.
Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, remaining cream, brandy and rum.
Pour into lidded bottles and jars and refrigerate.
Eggnog needs at least a day, preferably two, to sit and allow flavors to blend before serving.
Get your salmonella free eggnog drink on! Enjoy 🙂