Pineapple Juice

Pineapple Juice is so refreshing when the weather is hot! And with this recipe, it is super easy to make! You will love the simplicity and the taste! 

**Tip**

How to know whether your pineapple is ready to use (or eat):

Pull up on one of it's leaves. If it pulls out easily, your pineapple is good to go!

You Will Need:

1 Pineapple 

Water

Ice

1-2 Packets of Sugar In the Raw

Directions:

- Cut the top and skin off of the pineapple. (If your blender is really good, and you don't mind how it looks, you can add the skin into the juice.)

- Throw into the blender, along with some ice and a small amount of water.

- Blend on highest setting, until all ice is slushy and the entire mix is smooth. Add more water if you want to.

- Add your sugar. (I usually find that 1 packet is sufficient for a pitcher.)

**This juice also makes awesome ice pops for the kids!**

- Enjoy!! <3

                                                 

Cilantro and Lime chicken

This is one of my favorite hot weather dinners. It is delicious and refreshing. I mean, how could you go wrong with cilantro and lime?!

You Will Need:

2 Pounds of Chicken (breasts and thighs both work really well here)
2 Limes
1/2 Cup Cilantro, Chopped
Table Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Adobo Seasoning
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Capers

Directions:

- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In cooking spray coated large frying pan, combine cilantro, the juice from the limes (save the rinds), and a little salt and pepper.
- Cook over med-high heat until the cilantro is all mushy and it smells delicious.
- Add the chicken, sprinkle with Adobo, and toss some capers in. Add the rinds from the limes.
- Cook each side of the chicken for about 5 minutes, until it is golden in color and there are seasonings stuck to it.
- Transfer to a baking dish or baking tray and cook in the oven for 37 minutes (make sure the meat is fully cooked)

- Serve over white sticky rice or over pasta.

Enjoy!! <3

Homemade Caramels

It took me forever to finally figure out how to get these right! Hopefully, it will be easier for you because of this blog. They take a while to make, but if you like caramels, it is well worth it!

You Will Need:

1 Cup Light Corn Syrup
1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
2 Cups White Sugar
1 Container Heavy Cream (1 Pint)
1 Cup Evaporated Milk
2 Sticks Salted Butter
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
No-Stick Cooking Spray
Parchment Paper
Candy Thermometer

Directions:

- Spray a 9" square pan with the cooking spray, making sure that it is totally covered.
- Put all ingredients except for the vanilla in a large pot and place over medium-high heat.

- Attach your thermometer (if it is attachable). If not, just keep checking.
- Stir every few minutes, making sure to scrape the whole bottom to avoid burnt spots.
- When the temperature reaches 215 degrees (this will take a long time to get to. I actually had to re-cook mine to bring it to the right temp), remove from heat and pour into the square pan.
**DO NOT try to line the pan with the parchment. It turns out all wrinkly and weird looking.**
- Place in refrigerator to cool overnight.

- When it is time to take it out of the fridge, just use a butter knife to cut into small squares. Then you can probably cut those in half.
- Cut 2" squares of parchment, and roll the caramels in them. The caramel should be easily shaped and rolled, yet still hold it's shape well.

Enjoy!!<3

Organic Strawberry-Banana Smoothies

We love smoothies in our house! It seems that as the warmer weather comes, the blender is always out around here! Eventually, I will probably share all of those recipes with you, but for today, I will give you this one!

You will Need:

2 Cups Stonyfield Organic French Vanilla Yogurt (I mean measured cups, not small yogurt cups.)
Organic Strawberries, Fresh or Frozen
2 Large Organic Bananas
1 1/2 Cups Organic Strawberry Mango Juice
1 1/2 Cups Organic Apple Juice
Ice Cubes (If the strawberries are not frozen)

Directions:

Pour all ingredients into blender.
Blend on highest setting until it is all smooth.

Enjoy!!<3