Family Favorite Strawberry Lemonade & Slushies (Simple & Delicious!!)

A Pretty, Delicious & Refreshing
beverage ~ Summer in a glass!

Ingredients:
1/3 - 1/2 cup sugar*
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (I use Meyer lemons)
3 cups water
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries**
2 - 4 tablespoons Grenadine syrup (optional)***
ice cubes 
fresh strawberries, washed & stems removed (optional)
straws (optional)

Method:
Place the sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a saucepan. Heat and stir, until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Add the lemon juice, 3 cups water, berries and Grenadine, (if desired), to a large blender container. Add the sugar water. Blend until the berries are  thoroughly pureed and mixed with the liquid. Strain the liquid through a sieve to remove the pulp. Refrigerate until well chilled. Place ice cubes into serving glasses. Add the lemonade and if desired, garnish with a fresh strawberry. Serve makes 4 to 6 servings.

To make  pink lemonade slushies, return the lemonade to the blender container. Add 2 to 3 cups of ice cubes and blend until the ice is crushed and slushy. Pour into serving glasses and if desired, garnish with a strawberry and serve with a straw. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

*Measure the sugar to achieve the level of sweetness you prefer.

**Grenadine syrup adds color and a tiny bit of sweetness.

***You cam make different flavors by using different berries, such as frozen cherries, fresh or frozen raspberries or a combination of berries.

Notes:
My beloved uncle has difficulty drinking enough fluids. We were very happy when he liked this lemonade so much that he drank two servings! My husband and nephew and husband agreed that this is the best lemonade they had ever tasted.

Lemon Drop Martini (Super Simple & Delicious!)

This very delicious & refreshing
cocktail is super simple to make!

Ingredients:
ice 
8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) vodka 
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup)  simple syrup**
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
2 lemon slices for garnish
regular or coarse sugar for rim 

Method:
Rub the rims of two martini glasses with lemon and then dip in the sugar to coat the rims.
Fill a shaker with ice. Add the vodka, simple syrup and lemon juice. Shake to mix. Divide between the two glasses. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice. Serves two.

***To make a homemade simple syrup, add equal portions of sugar and water to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use in your favorite cocktail recipes.

This cocktail is a special treat that will impress family and friends!

Greg's Super Simple Mai Tai

A simple to make version of a
favorite tropical cocktail.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup white rum
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
1/4 cup Gran Marnier**
1 tablespoons Grenadine syrup***
2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
2 tablespoons dark rum
optional garnishes: maraschino cherry with stem, mint sprig, pineapple wedge, or lime slice
shaker container

Method:
Add the pineapple juice, white rum, lime juice, Gran Marnier,,Grenadine syrup and cherry juice in a shaker container. Fill with ice. Firmly attach the container lid and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Divide evenly between 2 cocktail glasses. Top each cocktail with 1 tablespoon of dark. Place your choice of garnishes on a pick or on the rim of the cocktail glasses. Makes 2 servings. Enjoy!

**If desired, regular orange juice may be substituted for the Gran Marnier.

***Instead of Grenadine syrup a homemade Simple Syrup may be used. To make a simple syrup, add equal portions of sugar and water to a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator until ready to use in your favorite cocktail recipes.

Note: Because my Uncle's favorite cocktail is a Mai Tai, my husband, Gregory, researched the different ingredients & methods for making this classic drink. He developed this version, that my uncle loved! (Even though a Mai is his favorite drink, he doesn't always finish the ones he orders at restaurants ~ he quickly finished this one.)

Jane Madsen's Super Simple Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes (Family)

Fresh berries on a fluffy buttermilk biscuit
make a delicious old fashioned shortcake
like Grandma Jane made every 4th of July.

Ingredients:
6 - 7 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed & quartered
1/4 cup sugar
4 cups flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons heavy cream
coarse sugar for dusting biscuit tops
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
1 envelope Dr. Oetker "Whip It"*
fresh whole strawberries for garnish (optional)
1 cup fresh blueberries for garnish (optional)

*Whip It is a German product that "stabilizes" whipped cream and helps it hold its shape. It can be purchased at World Market, international grocery stores or online. 

Method:
Place the strawberries in a large bowl and sprinkle the 1/4 cup sugar over the top. Gently stir to mix, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 
Preheat oven to 450*. Sift dry ingredients into bowl. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or two knives. With fingers continue to mix shortening into flour mixture until it resembles the consistency of crumbs. Combine buttermilk and egg. Add all at once to dry ingredients and mix just until the ingredients are combined. (Over mixing will create a tough biscuit.) Knead and roll out on a well floured surface to a thickness of 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Cut with a 3 to 4 inch cutter. (Do not twist the cutter, because that seals the edges and causes the biscuits not to rise as high.) Place the biscuits on an ungreased, or parchment lined, baking sheet so that the sides are touching.  Brush the tops of the biscuits with the 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and sprinkle with the coarse sugar. Bake for about 10 minutes.   Makes 9 - 12 giant biscuits. 
Place the 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, vanilla, sugar and Whip It into a bowl and beat until soft peaks form and hold their shape. Slice the biscuits in half. Spoon sliced berries and whipped cream on top of the bottom half. Top with biscuit top. Garnish with more whipped cream and 1 or 2 whole strawberries. For the 4th of July you can add an additional garnish of fresh blueberries. Serve immediately.

Notes:
If desired, the biscuits can be prepared up to 3 days ahead of serving, and stored in an airtight container, at room temperature. The strawberries and whipped cream can be prepared 1 day before serving and stored in the refrigerator, too.

Greg's Famous Buttermilk Pancakes (With Chocolate Chips)

Two perfect & fluffy chocolate chip
buttermilk pancakes.

Ingredients:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Method:
Preheat oven to "warm" (200*). Place a cookie sheet or pan in the oven. 
In a medium mixing bowl, or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda and salt. 
In a separate bowl, beat the egg until blended. Whisk in the buttermilk and oil. Make a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the liquid ingredients to the well and stir just until mixed, but still slightly lumpy. 
Ladle about 1/4 cup of batter onto a hot (375*), lightly greased griddle or skillet. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the batter. Cook until the edges are dry and bubbles appear. Turn to finish cooking. Place the pancakes on the preheated pan in the oven until all of the batter has been used. Makes 8 to 10 pancakes. Serve with butter and pure maple syrup.

Notes:
Sliced bananas go nicely with these chocolate chip pancakes.
After we were married, this is the first breakfast that my dear husband made for me. He still makes these for family and guests who visit us.