Homemade Green Smoothie

I have tried many a green smoothie; different homemade versions as well as commercial.  This recipe is by far my favorite, and I love that I know every single ingredient that is going into it.  Below, I've listed a couple different variations, but this recipe is my favorite!

Homemade Green Smoothie

• 1 cup (packed) fresh spinach
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup frozen fruit
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 Tbsp. ground flax seed

In blender, mix all ingredients.  Add or substitute any ingredients you like.  I have tried subbing the orange juice with water or carrot juice.  The above concoction is my favorite though.  I've also used blueberries with my fruit and that was delicious.  I would keep the banana in there-it's great for texture.  The flax seed adds fiber and a little protein.  Really, your possibilities are endless.  Enjoy!

Mini Fruit Tarts

I made these fruit tarts as a last minute dessert for a family get together.
They were a huge hit and SO yummy!

Mini Fruit Tarts

• 1 batch of your favorite sugar cookie dough (can use store-bought.)
• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 8 oz. carton cool whip
• 1-2 cups of your favorite fruit, chopped.  (Ideas: blueberries, kiwi, peaches, strawberries, pineapple, raspberries, etc.)

Grease a mini-cupcake pan.  Roll out dough about 1/4 inch thick.  Using a cookie cutter or a cup, cut circles out of dough- about 2 inches in diameter.  Press into 24 mini cupcake wells.  Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes.  Let cool, and carefully take out each cup and set on rack to cool some more.  (They can break, so you really need to be patient and be careful.) 

While they are cooling, mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Fold in cool whip.  Spoon into each cup.  Top with your favorite fruit!  Enjoy!

Fruit Pizza

CRUST
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Beat butters and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to egg mixture. Roll out on jelly roll pan and bake 10 minutes at 375.

FILLING
1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar
Mix together then fold in:
4 oz. Cool Whip (about half of a container.)

Spread on top of crust and add your favorite fruit slices on top. Refrigerate.

Fruit Salad

My Rating: 3 Stars

1 large can pineapple chunks
1 large can mandarin oranges
1 sliced banana
mini-marshmallows (optional)

Dressing:
1 cup pineapple juice
2 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch

Heat pineapple juice. Beat 2 eggs, add sugar and cornstarch; stir into pineapple juice. Cook until thick. Toss with fruit.

Smoothies

My Rating: 4 Stars

You can make these in any flavor of frozen concentrate. My favorites are Orange-Pineapple, Cran-Grape, Strawberry-Guava, Limeade, and Peach. It is very easy and really cheap and very delicious!

1/3 cup frozen Juice Concentrate

1/2 cup cold Water

1/2 cup cold Milk

1/4 cup Sugar

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

2 cups crushed Ice

Put liquid into blender. Add ice cubes, blend until smooth and frothy. Serve and enjoy.