HOT SPICED LEMONADE

This is Mom's recipe. We made it on New Years eve and it was a hit. I think we will be making it a lot since our lemon and orange tree come in season in the winter.

Combine in pot and bring to simmer then serve:
9 c. water
1 c. lemon juice
2 c. orange juice
2 c. sugar
1 T. vanilla
1/8 t. cloves

Chocolate Cream Balls

This takes an overnight of cooling to prepare

3 8oz Chocolate bars with Almonds
1 8oz Cool Whip
12-15 Vanilla Wafers, crushed

Melt Chocolate in a double boiler. Cool to room temperature. Stir in cool whip until well blended. Place in fridge overnight or until chilled. Butter hands. Roll chocolate into 3/4 inch balls, then roll in cookie crumbs. Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

This is easy and fast. It doesn't taste good, but I make everyone eat it.

1 C Sugar
1 C Raw Peanuts
1/2 C Light Corn Syrup
1 tsp margarine (not butter)
1 tsp vanilla (real)
1 tsp baking soda

Combine sugar, peanuts, syrup and a pinch of salt in a tempered glass bowl. Cook on High for 3 minutes. Stir. Put back in microwave for another 3 minutes. Stir in margarine and vanilla. Cook for 1 minute longer. Take out and stir in baking soda. Mix well and quickly pour out onto buttered cookie sheet. Cool 20 minutes.

Spiced Almonds

I got this one from Charlene a few years ago and it has always been a huge hit. I think I was told to not try doubling the recipe, so I make several batches each Christmas.

1 C Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Cinamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
3 Tbl Water
2 C Whole Almonds

Combine all ingredients except almonds in a medium saucepan and stir over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and continue stirring until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat to medium and cook without stirring until firm ball stage (242-248). Remove from heat and stir in almonds. Continue to stir until completely coated. The coating will crystallize and become cloudy. Pour mixture onto buttered cookie sheet. Try to spread out the almonds (you'll have to give up once they become hard).

Spinach Smoothie

Or as my boys call it, slime. Steve says this is the only way to eat spinach!
2 cups packed fresh spinach
2 cups frozen strawberries
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons honey
1 ripe banana
Blend all in blender and enjoy! We've substituted frozen mangos and blueberries for the strawberries. Yum!

Homemade French Fries

Original from Here

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon onion salt

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon paprika

OR 2-3 teaspoons season all instead of spices

1/2 cup water, or as needed

1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Slice potatoes into thin wedges. Keep cover with water while you get everything else ready.

2. Heat oil over medium heat

3. Combine flour and seasonings. Add water to make a runny consistency for the batter.

4. Dip potatoes in batter and fry in hot oil until golden. Make sure that they aren't touching when you put them in the oil or they will clump.

Quick Chocolate Pudding

John's favorite dessert is chocolate pudding. I love that I can make his favorite dessert quickly from scratch with ingredients I have on hand. I got the original recipe from allrecipes and only changed it by adding butter.

Ingredients

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 cups milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 Tablespoon butter (optional)

Combine sugar cocoa powder and cornstarch in a large microwave safe bowl (I use my extra large 4 cup measure). Sift the cocoa powder if there are clumps. Whisk in milk slowly and make sure there are no clumps. Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

Stir and continue microwaving at one minute intervals until thick and shiny, about 2-4 minutes. Keep an eye on it to be sure it doesn't over flow.

Remove from microwave and add optional butter and vanilla. Stir and refrigerate with plastic wrap on top touching the pudding.

Of course more fat (whole milk and butter) makes it taste better (richer, smoother). But I've made this with 2 % milk and no butter and it's still great.