Trader Joe's Chipotle Fresh Peach Salsa ~ Copycat Recipe 🍑🌶🥒

 

This chipotle peach salsa is fresh and flavorful!

Ingredients:

4 yellow peaches

1 or 2 cloves of garlic 

2 teaspoons of adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)

1/4 teaspoon cumin

4 tablespoons lime juice (about 2 limes)

3 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)

3/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt

2 Roma tomatoes

1 jalapeno pepper

3/4 cup finely diced red onion (about 1/2 of 1 large onion)

1/2 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Method:

Place the peaches in a bowl and cover with hot tap water. Set aside to soak.

In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, adobo sauce, cumin, juices and salt. Set aside.

Remove one peach from the water. Slice the peach in half from top to bottom on both sides. Twist the halves to loosen one half from the other. Cut each half in half. Remove the pit. Use a knife to peel away the skin from each peach quarter. Cut into small bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining peaches.

Slice the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds. Cut the tomatoes into small bite sized pieces and add to the peaches.

Cut open the jalapeno and remove the seeds. Finely dice. Add the jalapeno, onion and cilantro to the peaches.

Drizzle the juice mixture over all of the ingredients and stir to combine.

Chill for 15 minutes or overnight before serving. Makes about 6 cups of salsa. Serve with chips or as a side accompaniament.

Notes: 

The store bought salsa is good, but this homemade version is even better!

This salsa is great with chips and a perfect accompaniament to Mexican dishes such as tacos, fajitas and tostadas. It also pairs well with chicken and pork dishes.

Sonic Restaurant Strawberry Limeade Soda ~ Copycat Recipe

After my husband took one sip of this soda,
his eyes opened wide and he said, "This
tastes just like Sonic's Strawberry Limeade!

Ingredients Per Serving:

ice

1/4 cup strawberry syrup

1 cup (8 ounces) Sprite

Optional Garnishes:

lime slices

strawberry

Method:

Fill a glass with ice. 

Add 1/4 cup of strawberry syrup and 1 cup of Sprite. 

Add a straw and stir.

If desired, add lime slices to the soda and slide a strawberry on the rim of the glass.

Makes 1 serving.

Strawberry Syrup:

Ingredients:

8 ounces (1/2 pound) strawberries

2 cups water

3/4 cup sugar

Method:

Wash the strawberries. Remove the stems and hulls. Cut each strawberry in 4 pieces and place in a saucepan. 

Add the water and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer (low boil) for 15 minutes. Strain and save the liquid. Discard the berries and seeds. 

Return the strawberry liquid to the saucepan. Stir in the sugar and simmer for 5 minutes. Cool and then pour into a glass jar or container. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes 1 1/2 cups of syrup ~ enough for 6 sodas.

Notes: I had never tasted the original Sonic Strawberry Limeade, but my husband had and he was impressed with this copycat version. It definitely is a pretty, tasty and refreshing drink!

Vegan Citrus, Vegetable & Avocado Salad

This salad is incredibly delicous,
fresh, healthy & satisfying!!!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh Mandarin juice

3 tablespoons fresh orange juice*

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice*

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cups small cauliflower florets

1 avocado, finely chopped

1/2 cup seedless Mandarin orange segments (1 or 2 Mandarins)

1/2 cup seedless orange segments, cut in half (about 1/2 of 1 large orange)

1/2 cup peeled & diced English cucumber

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

2 tablespoon toasted pepitas (pumkin seeds) optional

Method:

Add the juices, oil, salt and pepper to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake to blend. Set aside.

Bring a saucepan of of water to a boil. Add the cauliflower florets and blanche for 1 minute. Transfer to a colander. Rinse with cold water and allow to drain.

Add the cauliflower, avocado, oranges, cucumber, onion and cilantro. Pour the juice mixture over all of the vegetables. Gently toss to coat. 

Refigerate for 30 to 60 minutes. Divide into 1 1/2 cup portions. If desired, garnish each portion with a 1/2 tablespoon (1 1/2 teaspoons) of pepitas. Makes 5 cups (4 servings).

*When I purchase bags of limes, oranges and lemons, I zest and juice the fruits. I freeze individual 1 teaspoon & 1 tablespoon portions of the zest in little condiment containers for restaurants. I make ice cubes from the juices that I transfer to freezer bags and store in the freezer. It is convenient and quick to always have juice and zest available. 😀

Notes:

This nutritious & delicious salad is a great side dish or appetizer served with tortilla chips.

If you are not adhering to a vegan diet, it also can be used as an accompaniment for fish, chicken or pork.

For a vegitarian main dish, crumbled cojita or feta cheese may be added.

Italian Balsamic Strawberry Mocktail (Or Spiked) 🍓

Pretty, Tasty & Refreshing!

Ingredients:

2 cups strawberries, cleaned, stemmed and quartered

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

8 fresh small basil leaves

crushed ice**

16 ounces soda water

Optional Garnish:

2 whole strawberries, stems removed

Method:

Add the strawberries to a small bowl. Sprinkle the sugar over the berries. Add the vinegar and stir to mix and evenly coat the berries. Set aside.

To assemble to cocktails, choose two 10 to 12 ounce highball glasses. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of the balsamic strawberries to each glass.** Add 1 tablespoon of the balsamic syrup from the bottom of the bowl to each glass.

Add 4 basil leaves to each glass. Use a pestle or the handle of a wooden spoon to "muddle" (mash) the strawberries and basil thoroughly together.

Top with ice and soda water. If desired, cut a slit in the bottom of each strawberry and slide onto each glass for a garnish. Makes 2 mocktails

*Cubed ice may be substituted for the crushed ice.

**Save the remaining balsamic strawberies to make additional beverages or as a topping for yogurt, ice cream or topping for other desserts.

Notes:

For a spiked cocktail, add 2 ounces of white rum or vodka to beverage. 

This simple drink is light and very refreshing ~ It is similar to a mojito and just as tasty!

Air Fryer Mashed Potato Balls

These large meatball sized potatoes are
 crispy on the outside and creamy on the
inside. They are a delicious side dish or
light main dish alongside a salad.

Ingredients:

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes, chilled

1/2 cup finely grated cheddar cheese

2 green onions finely chopped

3 slices cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled*

1 cup panko**

1 teaspoon Italian seasonong**

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder**

1 egg

avocado oil cooking spray

marinara sauce (optional)

Method:

Combine the potatoes, cheese, onion and bacon.

Line a small baking sheet or dish with waxed or parchment paper.

Use an ice cream scoop, or your hands, to form balls with a 1/2 cup of the potato mixture. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.

Freeze for 20 minutes.

Add the panko, Italian seasoning and garlic powder to a small bowl. Stir to mix.

Add the egg to a different bowl and whisk to blend the egg white and yolk.

Spray the air fyer rack with avocado oil spray, or spray a small baking sheet that fits in your air fryer with the oil spray.*** Preheat the air fryer to 375*. 

Dip each potato ball in the egg and allow the excess egg to drip off. Roll the dipped ball in the panko and return to the lined pan. Repeat with all of the potato balls.

Roll each ball again in the remaining crumbs and place on the greased rack or pan. Leave space between the potato balls so that they do not touch.

Spray the tops of the balls lightly with the avocado spray. Cook for 20 minutes or until the outside of the balls are crispy and lightly golden.

Serve as a side dish or if desired, with a side of marinara sauce as a main dish.

Makes 7 potato balls (3 to 7 side dish servings or 2 to 3 maindish servings).

*!/3 cup of diced ham may be substituted for the bacon, or for a meat free option simply omit.

**Italian seasoned bread crumbs may be substituted for the panko and spices.

***I have a French door style air fryer with a wire rack and I use a small baking sheet tht fits nicely inside of the fryer. A basket style air fryer can also be used. Simply grease the bottom of the basket and place the balls so that they are not touching.

Notes:

This recipe may be doubled.

To make appetizer sized potato balls, form balls the size of large marbles. Reduce the freezer time to 10 minutes and the cooking time to 15 minutes, or until the balls are crispy and lightly golden.

These Mashed Potato balls are a great way to make leftover mashed potatoes ~ They are delicious and very simple to make.

The Best Neiman Marcus Urban Legend Cookies

 

Even though the story behind the recipe
for these cookies turned out to be a
hoax, the cookies are quite good!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 ounces Dove milk chocolate**

1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Method:

Add the oatmeal to a blender or food processor container. Blend or process to make a fine "flour". Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with an electric mixer for 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs and vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir in the oatmeal flour. Add to the creamed ingredients and mix well. 

Grate the Dove chocolate over the bowl. Add the chocolate chips and pecans. Stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or longer.

Preheat oven to 350*. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Scoop or form about 2 tablespoons of dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

**The original recipe called for a Hershey Bar, but I use Dove chocolate because it is higher quality and I like the ingredients better.

Useful Tip: No need to bake all 6 dozen cookies at once, unless you want to. I line a small baking sheet with waxed paper. I place scooped balls of dough on the lined pan and freeze for 30 minutes. Once frozen, I transfer the the frozen balls to an airtight container with a sheet of waxed paper between layers of dough balls. (They keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.) When I want to bake a dozen cookies, I place the frozen balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet for 15 minutes and then bake according to the instructions above.

Recipe History: The Neiman Marcus cookie rumor began circulating in the 1980's. There are many versions of the rumor, but the basic story is this: 

A woman and her daughter stopped for lunch in the Neiman Marcus Cafe after shopping. The woman loved a cookie that was served so much, that she asked the sever if she could have the recipe. When the server declined to give her the recipe, the woman asked if she could purchase the recipe. The server checked and said the recipe could be purchased for two fifty. A month later, when the woman received her VISA statement, she discoved that she had been charged $250.00 for the recipe. She was so upset by the charge that she sought revenge by sharing the recipe. In the 1990's, the story and recipe were widely spread in a viral email and printed in newspapers.

The recipe had the basic ingredients of a chocolate chip cookie with the addition of a grated Hershey bar. Over the years, the recipe has been modified. Some recipes iclude finely ground oatmeal and others don't.

In reality, Neiman Marcus didn't begin serving chocolate chip cookies until after the myth was created. After the story went viral, Neiman Marcus began to receive emails such as, "How dare you charge this woman!" and "I’m going to send this email to all of my friends and make sure they know about this.” The store debunked the rumor, explaining, "Up until 1999, Neiman Marcus only accepted American Express, which would make it impossible for the woman in the story to have paid for the recipe with her VISA card." They  also denied ever charging customers for any of their recipes.

After the hoax became an online phenomenon, the retailer created its own chocolate chip cookie recipe and posted it on their website.

Simple & Refreshing Coconut Lime Coolers (Alcohol Free Or Spiked) 🥥🍈

🍈🥥 Simple, Light & Refreshing! 🥥🍈

Ingredients:

1/2  cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)

1 teaspoon lime zest

1 (13.6 ounce) can light coconut milk, chilled

1/2 cup sugar or agave nectar

1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)

4 cups ice cubes

2 1/2 cups (20 ounces) sparkling/soda water

1 lime sliced into circles or half circles for garnish

1/2 cup white rum (optional)

Method:

Add the juice, zest, coconut milk, sweetener and extract in a large measuring cup or jar. Stir or shake until the sugar is dissolved. Add 1 cup of ice to 4 (16 ounce) glasses. Divide the juice & coconut mixture evenly between the 4 glasses. (about 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) Top with 5 ounces of soda water. Stir with a straw and garnish with fresh lime. If desired, add 2 tablespoons of white rum to each cooler.Makes 4 tall drinks.

Notes: I made the alcohol free version of this cooler for my husband and I on a toasty summer afternoon. We both enjoyed the flavor and how refreshing the drink is. 😃