Strawberry Lemonade Slush

This is a great recipe to put in the freezer to pull out when you want a nice cool drink on a hot summer day.

You can make this any time you like because it uses frozen strawberries.

Place the 10 oz package of frozen strawberries in the blender.

Add 3/4 cup lemonade concentrate thawed.  The only lemonade I could find at Publix was pink lemonade so I didn't think it would matter.

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup ice

And blend

It turns to a pretty slushy.

Pour into a freezer container and freeze for at least 12 hours.  It can stay in the freezer for 3 months.

Set it out of the freezer for about an hour when you are ready to use it.

Pour a little Sprite in the cups.

I used the ice cream scoop to scoop out the strawberry mixture.

Garnish with mint leaves if you like and insert straw.

Strawberry Lemonade Slush Recipe

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup lemonade concentrate thawed

1 10 oz package frozen strawberries 

3/4 cup ice cubes 

1 cup + Sprite.  I didn't measure out the Sprite.

Soft and Chewy M&Ms Cookies

These cookies are so pretty with the springtime M&M's.  I had someone tell me they tasted like ice cream.  I am not sure if it is the cornstarch that makes the taste a little different or what.

I know it is after Easter and these are Easter M&M's but they are pretty spring colors.

Start with 1 1/2 sticks butter that is softened.  Add 1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix well with an electric mixer.  Cream until it is light and fluffy.

Add 2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch of salt

2 cups all purpose flour.  Mix well.

1 1/2 cups M&M's Mix well.  Put in the fridge for a couple of hours.  I learned that if I had scooped them first it would have been easier.

Scoop the out.  Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Fresh from the oven.  Nothing is better than freshly baked cookies.

Soft and Chewy M&Ms Cookies Recipe

3/4 cup butter softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups M&M's.

Preheat oven 350.  Bake 8-10 minutes.

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade

Yes I know more strawberry recipes, but they have been so good this year.  This is a pretty little drink that you can make for company.

The recipe calls for fresh squeezed lemon juice, but I didn't have lemons. So I used the bottled lemon juice.

You start out by making a simple syrup.  1/2 cup of water in a sauce pan.

1/2 cup sugar.  Heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and let it cool.

Wash and hull about a pound of strawberries.

Place the sliced strawberries in a food processor.

Process until they are pureed.

The simple syrup is ready.

Pour out the strawberries into a bowl. You can strain the juice if you like to get rid of the seeds and pulp.  I strained it and the put the pulp back in the food processor again and strained one more time. 

Pour the strawberries into a pitcher. Also pour in 3/4 cup lemon juice.

Add the simple syrup.  Place in the fridge for a while to chill.

When you are ready to serve, pour about a cup of sparkling water into the glass.

Add some of the strawberry mixture on top. Garnish with mint leaves and extra strawberries if you like.

Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

1 pound strawberries

3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

4 cups sparkling water

Crock Pot Philly Cheesesteaks

Who doesn't love a good cheesesteak?  In fact in Philly fights break out over who has the best in the city.  I will not go so far to say these are the best but they are the easiest and that was what I was going for when I made them.

Got to have the good peppers and onions.

I had read somewhere that if you need to thinly slice beef put it in the freezer for a few minutes first.  So that is what I did with this meat.  I put in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. You freeze your fingers trying to hold the beef but you can get some thin slices. Slice 1.5-2 lb round steak, thinly sliced.

Sprinkle the slices with some black pepper.

Then sprinkle some garlic salt on as well.

Then place the beef in the crock pot.  I chose to use the smaller crock pot.  Use whatever you have.

Add 32 oz low sodium beef broth.

Thinly slice an onion.  Use or two depending on how well you like onions.

Slice a bell pepper into strips.  I like the sweetness of the colored peppers.  Again use as much or as little as you like.

Add both to the crock pot.  I used some tongs to move and stir things around.  Cover and cook 5-7 hours.

When you are ready to eat, slice and toast some hoagie rolls.

Then pile on the meat and veggies.  Make sure you let the juice drains off or it could get soggy.

Top with cheese.  I used provolone, but you use whatever kind you like.  Place back in the oven to melt the cheese.

I got in such a hurry to try them I forgot to take a picture of the finished sandwich.

Crock Pot Philly Cheesesteaks Recipe

1.5 to 2 lb round steak

black pepper

garlic powder

1 onion sliced

1 bell pepper sliced

32 oz low sodium beef broth

hoagie rolls

cheese