Pineapple Green Tea Caipirinha

Delicious, delightful and alcohol free

(NC)—Sipping wine or champagne may be a holiday tradition, but times are changing. Whether you’re watching your waistline or acting as designated driver, finding delicious alternatives to alcoholic beverages is becoming increasingly important to many Canadians.

The next time you’re the host of a festive get-together; offer guests some non-alcoholic drinks that are delicious and cheerful. When it comes to festive beverages without alcohol, iced teas can be a perfect solution. Iced teas are available in green, red and white varieties and garnished with exotic fruit, they truly take on the holiday spirit.

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, a Pineapple Green Tea Caipirinha is a classy addition to any holiday party. This Brazilian drink is a showstopper and poised to be the next “it” libation. Impress your guests by being ahead of the trend. The recipe below is easy and delicious.

Party hint: To keep the Pineapple Green Tea Caipirinha cool without diluting its flavours, make it ahead and then freeze a portion of it in an ice cube tray. Just before serving, drop the Pineapple Green Tea Caipirinha ice cubes into glasses or punch bowl.

11/2 cups fresh pineapple juice

6 cups Nestea Natural Lemon Flavour Green Tea

6 lemon wedges

fresh pineapple wedges for garnishing

ice cubes

1. Use a wooden spoon to muddle (crush and mix) lemon wedges with 1/2 cup of the green tea in a pitcher.

2. Add the remaining tea, the pineapple juice and stir.

3. Add ice to pitcher just before serving

4. Garnish each glass with a pineapple wedge

Serves 6

Quick tip: Use an iced tea made from real tea leaves so you’re getting those natural tea antioxidants. Antioxidants are a factor in the maintenance of good health – an important consideration when you’re running around at this busy time of year.

For more tea infused recipe ideas visit www.mynestea.ca.

www.newscanada.com

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Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie

(ARA) – Warm summer days call for the perfect frosty refreshment. Try homemade fruit smoothies — sweetened naturally with pure honey. Creating your own creamy concoctions is easy — simply blend together your favorite fruits with ice cubes, milk or yogurt and a touch of honey. Honey is the secret ingredient to enhancing the sweet flavors of the fruits.

Blend up your own delicious smoothies with these easy tips:

* Add variety: Experiment with different combinations of fresh fruits. Try melons, berries and tropical fruits such as mangoes, bananas and pineapple.
* Make it thick: Add a few more ice cubes for a creamier mix.
* Keep it cold: Instead of using fresh fruit, use frozen fruit for a colder and thicker beverage. You can buy frozen fruit or freeze your own.
* On the go: Make smoothies ahead of time and store in the freezer.
* Prevent sticky situations: Add honey and any additional liquids to the blender first to prevent it from binding up on the frozen fruit and getting stuck.

Try these simple smoothie recipes from the National Honey Board. For more recipes and additional honey tips and information, visit www.honey.com.

Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie
Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries
1 large kiwi, peeled
1 container (8 ounces) low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup honey
12 to 15 ice cubes

Directions:
In a blender or food processor, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Serve immediately.

Tropical Smoothie

Tropical Smoothie
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1/4 cup honey
2 medium ripe bananas, peeled
1 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla (Substitute vanilla yogurt for plain yogurt and vanilla, if desired.)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
5 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine milk, bananas, yogurt, honey, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in blender or food processor; process until thick and creamy. Add ice cubes, one at a time, and blend until smooth.

Honey Breakfast Drink
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup low-fat dry milk
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 large banana, peeled and sliced
4 to 5 ice cubes

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and mix well.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Kiwifruit Mint Lemonade

(ARA) – With the economy affecting your budget, your family is staying home for more meals. So it’s more important than ever to get the most for your dollar when shopping for healthy foods at the grocery store.

Besides eating healthy, you want to provide a variety of food choices to keep mealtimes interesting and flavorful. Here are three items you can add to your grocery list:

1. Kiwifruit.
During the months when finding American-grown fresh fruit is a chore, look for California-grown kiwifruit, typically available between mid-September and June. Buying fruit grown in America supports our domestic economy and is better for the environment since shipping requires fewer resources. Plus, you know you’re getting fresher fruit.

A Rutgers University study found that of the 27 most commonly consumed fruits, kiwifruit is the most nutrient-dense, containing vitamin C, potassium, folate, fiber and vitamin E, to name a few. Plus kiwifruit is very versatile. It can be eaten raw, sliced up on top of foods, blended into drinks and salsas or tossed into salads.

2. Rolled oats.
Yummy for both breakfast and in cookies, oats are full of fiber and complex carbohydrates. The grain has been linked to lowering bad cholesterol and reducing the chance of heart disease. Buying plain oats in bulk costs less per serving than buying most other cereals.

3. Wild Rice.
Wild rice not only is native to the U.S., but is also rich in protein and a good source of calcium and potassium. Plus, it’s an energy food high in carbohydrates and fiber, helping to balance out your healthy meals. Wild rice can be served cold or hot and mixed with nuts, vegetables and all kinds of meat.

Saving money and eating healthy will benefit not only your family but your wallet. California Kiwifruit Commission has several recipes available for your family to try including Kiwi Mint Lemonade — perfect for a warm afternoon on the porch, and Mediterranean Kiwifruit Couscous — which compliments any lunch or dinner menu.

Kiwifruit Mint Lemonade
Serves 4

1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves
3 California kiwifruit
2 to 3 lemons
Sparkling water

In a medium saucepan, heat water with sugar over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, for five minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mint leaves. Let stand 20 minutes

Meanwhile, peel kiwifruit and cut into chunks. Puree in a food processor. Place puree in a pitcher. Strain cooled syrup into pitcher, pressing on mint, then discard leaves. Refrigerate until cold. Squeeze juice from 2 lemons. Stir into kiwifruit mixture. Taste, squeeze in juice from remaining lemon for a more tart lemonade.

Pour into glasses. Top with sparkling water. Serve garnished with a slice of kiwifruit.

Mediterranean Kiwifruit Couscous
Serves 4 to 6

Mediterranean Kiwifruit Couscous

3/4 cup water
1/2 cup couscous
salt
3 California kiwifruit
1 yellow or orange pepper
1 cup colorful cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, preferably spicy
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup shredded fresh basil

In a small saucepan, lightly salt water then bring to a boil. Add couscous, stir, cover and remove from heat. Let stand until water is absorbed, about five minutes. Meanwhile, peel kiwifruit and cut into bite-size chunks. Dice pepper and slice large cherry tomatoes in half. Pit olives if needed and thinly slice green onions. Place all in a medium bowl.

Whisk vinegar with oil, garlic, oregano and generous pinches salt and pepper. When couscous has cooled, gently stir with kiwifruit mixture. Toss with as much dressing as needed to just coat. Stir in feta and basil. Salad will keep well refrigerated for one to two days.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(NC)—Here are two easy ways to bring some excitement to your next children’s party – Wacky Waikiki or Purple Razzle Dazzle Shakes. For dozens more delicious treats to thrill your child, visit www.homebasics.ca.

Wacky Waikiki Shake

2 large ripe bananas, peeled and quartered

1 can frozen pineapple or pineapple-orange juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)

1/2 cup milk

4 scoops Breyers Double Churn Natural Vanilla Ice Cream

sweetened whipped cream, toasted coconut and pineapple pieces (optional)

Place bananas, juice concentrate and milk in blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend until combined. Add ice cream; blend until smooth. Pour into glasses; top with whipped cream, coconut and pineapple, if desired. Serve immediately. Serves 3.

Purple Razzle Dazzle Shake

1 can frozen grape juice concentrate, thawed (6 oz)

1/2 cup milk

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

3 scoops Breyers Double Churn Natural Vanilla Ice Cream

additional ice cream and purple jelly beans or sprinkles

Place juice concentrate, milk and lemon juice in blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend 1 minute. Add ice cream and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses. Top with small scoop of ice cream and jelly beans or sprinkles, if desired. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

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Ever since I started drinking (and loving) virgin mojitos about a year ago, my husband and I have been on the quest to perfect our virgin mojito-making skills at home.

We tried them with sugar. We tried simple syrup. With mint and without. Real limes and RealLime.

Some have been too fizzy, some too sweet, some too strong, and some, well, some so terrible that they were immediately poured down the drain.

We tried almost every recipe we came across, too, and nothing seemed to replicate the delicious virgin mojito of my dreams.

Until now, that is. (And we owe our friends Paul & Beverly dearly for teaching is how to make the perfect virgin mojito at home!)

Without further ado, here’s the recipe for DIY Virgin Mojitos–get your blender ready!

Ingredients:
Water
Ice
Mint
Limes
Baker’s Sugar (very fine sugar)
Club Soda

Directions:

Blend one cup of baker’s sugar, two cups of water and two limes cut into quarters (skin and all) on high for about 30 seconds.

Strain mixture (to remove large lime chunks) into a pitcher.

Add ice to glasses (fill to the top), and then pour club soda into 1/3 of glass. Top with blended mixture, and, if you desire, add plenty of crushed mint leaves.

These are addictive, so don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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Cyclone Smoothie (recipe below)

At the dawn of summer, people spend more time outdoors and start planning barbecues, pool parties and picnics. But as the mercury rises, thoughts turn to lazing in front of the air conditioner instead of being out in the searing, sticky heat. With a little creativity, you can entertain outdoors while keeping cool this summer.

Plan Ahead — No Sweat!
It’s never fun to run around in the summer heat so plan to begin preparing recipes the day before. From marinating meats to preparing sauces, have many items stored the night before allowing for easy preparation the next day. That way, you can sit back and enjoy the party with your friends and family.

Made in the Shade
Make sure to have plenty of shaded seating available at your party. Place seating around your yard under large trees or wide deck umbrellas so guests can eat, drink and lounge comfortably. If the air is stagnant, use a few outdoor fans to create a gentle, cooling breeze.

Set the Tone with Colorful Decorations
No need for expensive centerpieces; instead use fresh flowers and herbs to make delightful centerpieces. Use cool tones like blue and green for the decorations to keep the ambiance refreshing. Placing citronella candles around the yard also adds to the relaxing atmosphere while keeping mosquitoes away. Make sure to choose small, votive candles so they don’t add to the heat.

Frosty Summer Drinks
No summer party would be complete without tasty frozen drinks for adults and kids alike. From margaritas to frozen lemonade, nothing says summer like a cold beverage. Make sure to use a strong blender, such as the Black and Decker Cyclone Blender which has 12 different speeds to powerfully puree, crush and blend. As the name implies, the unique jar shape and, four planes of blade rotation create a cyclone-like force you can actually see — it’s fun for the kids to watch too. For more information, visit www.BlackandDeckerAppliances.com.

Outdoor Grilling
If your party food needs to be cooked, make sure to do it all on the grill. Potatoes, vegetables and even fruit can be delicious when prepared on the grill. Avoid using the oven to keep the indoors from heating up.

Cool Cuisine
For side dishes, enjoy cool treats such as watermelon, frozen cherries and grapes, salads presented on refrigerated plates and ice cream or sorbet for dessert. Step it up by making a cold soup such as gazpacho — a cool Spanish tomato-based soup, or a chilled fruit soup made by blending frozen fruit with fruit juice and spices.

Here’s a cool recipe to try at your next hot summer party.

Cyclone Smoothie
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup frozen Pina Colada Drink Mix
1 medium banana, broken into 3 pieces
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 cups ice

Add ingredients in the order listed. Blend using Pulse several times (three to five times). Blend on PUREE until smooth.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Fortunately, there is a huge array of tasty, healthy Mexican beverages to go with every meal.

Chocolate is popular in Mexican dishes, or even as a dessert bar. But it’s more often consumed in the form of a hot chocolate drink. Mexican chocolate tends to be more granular and bitter than that from other countries. That makes it a perfect ingredient for a breakfast beverage. Melt the chocolate, add a bit of sugar to taste, and voila!

Of course, beer is enjoyed south of the border, where it is called cerveza. And Mexican breweries are second to none in producing some truly fine beers. They make a fine accompaniment to a lunch composed of burritos. But to make a great Mexican drink, try a Michelada. This drink is a mixture of beer, tabasco sauce, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and lime. Wow!

But you can also enjoy a great fruit drink with that fine frittata for lunch. Aqua fresca (a Mexican cooler) comes in a variety of flavors such as guava, pineapple or mango. The agua de tamarindo is a great favorite down Mexico way, made from the tamarind. For something even lighter try the agua de Jamaica made from the Hibiscus flower.

Naturally, that pre-dinner drink can quite rightly consist of a traditional margarita. Made from fine tequila and Mexican Controy, you’ll be ready for a hearty meal after one of these. If you prefer your tequila straight, that’s fine, too. Don’t forget the lime, though.

After dinner you’ll just have to have a Mexican coffee. Select some of your finest beans and brew the coffee dark. Then liven it up with a couple of ounces of tequila, Kahlua and brandy. For a real taste treat, add the same amount of Rompope, a kind of vanilla Mexican liqueur. Or, for something a little more straightforward, just try a bit of the Rompope all on its own.

Between beer for lunch, a pre-dinner margarita and an after-dinner Mexican coffee you might just be ready for a good night’s sleep. But the next morning could be a bit dicey. So, maybe you better have some of that milk after all. Have it Mexican style in the form of a good horchata.

Horchata is a traditional Mexican drink made from rice, water, cinnamon, almonds and sugar. But milk is often added as well. It is reputed to be good for hangovers. Even if it’s not, the taste will help you forget your headache!

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It’s a hot summer day with the sun shining overhead and just a hint of a slight breeze. A cold, icy glass of lemonade would go down smoothly and quench your thirst, wouldn’t it? When you think of lemonade, it is likely the lemonade recipe with freshly squeezed lemons, sugar, water and ice. After all, those are the classic ingredients that rarely deviate from one traditional lemonade recipe to another.

While it is true that most recipes incorporate those four basic ingredients, there are some that add a little bit of something extra. It is those extras that have really caught on in the world of lemonade. In order to understand those extras, you have to grasp the basic lemonade recipe that many people around the world know and love.

A Traditional Lemonade Recipe

1 cup of fresh lemon juice (5 – 8 lemons, freshly squeezed)
6 cups cold water
¾ to 1 cup sugar
Slices of lemon

In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice and cold water. Slowly stir in the sugar, tasting periodically until you reach the desired sweet-tart taste. Once the lemonade is well blended, serve in glasses of ice and garnish with a slice of lemon. (Please note: bottled lemon juice may be used in lieu of freshly squeezed lemons but the taste will not be as snappy.)

Twists on the Lemonade Recipe

These days you can buy lemonade in a can or bottle and often times, flavored lemonades are available as well. You can make your own homemade flavored lemonade using the traditional lemonade recipe above and adding fruit syrup like raspberry, strawberry or any other type of flavor.

In some countries like Brazil, a little bit of condensed milk is added to the lemonade recipe to create a creamier, more substantial drink. In India, there is a special spice called jaljira powder that is added to a recipe to create spiced lemonade. In some countries like England and Australia, lemonade refers to a carbonated lemon-flavored drink.

The United States also has a lemonade recipe which is a blush, pink color called pink lemonade. In this case, some people just add some red food coloring to create this look; however, in other instances, a little grenadine is added for both a slightly different flavor as well as the pink color. Grenadine is a fruit syrup made from a variety of fruits like pomegranate, raspberry or red currant.

All in all, your taste buds should decide which lemonade recipe or variation thereof, you should try. There are quite a few interesting combinations to choose from such as lavender lemonade, watermelon lemonade and even mint lemonade. The best resource to find your favorite lemonade recipe is the internet; just be prepared to weed through countless appealing variations.

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