Creamy Pumpkin Shake

November 1, 2018/1 Comment/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

Pumpkin pie shake

Pumpkin Shakes are all the rage, and this is the BEST Creamy Pumpkin Shake around!

It’s imple to make and has all the flavors of the season.

This is like having pumpkin pie in a shake:)

Make this Creamy Pumpkin Shake for yourself, your family, or friends that stop in; everyone will love this one.

Creamy Pumpkin Shake

Ingredients:

2 cups vanilla ice cream

2/3 cup canned pumpkin puree(not pumpkin pie mix)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons brown sugar; to your desired sweetness

1/2 cup milk

1/4 – 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, to taste

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and combine well.

Pumpkin pie shake

Serve immediately.

Pumpkin pie shake

Looking for a healthier version? I have a Pumpkin Smoothie recipe HERE

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2013, 2018

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Delicious Berry Cheesecake Smoothie

February 1, 2018/2 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

A creamy smoothie that tastes similar to cheesecake with berry topping

I dislike pretty much all breakfast foods…but now Berry Cheesecake Breakfast Smoothie, that’s alright!

Just imagine a thick and creamy Cheesecake smoothie with frozen berries to taste like our favorite dessert?

Can you raise your hand to a YES? Of course we would to the glorious Berry Cheesecake Breakfast Smoothie!

Besides the amazing thick consistency, the secret which gives the Berry Cheesecake Breakfast Smoothie the fabulous flavor of cheesecake; it’s awesome:)

Well, as I was saying, I really I don’t like eggs cooked in any way, shape, or fashion. And believe me, ‘Sam I Am’ has tried:) I don’t care for the traditional breakfast fare either, though I’ve made plenty of it for my crew over the years. I’m actually famous for my Grandma’s pancakes (and these I will eat a couple off of the griddle).

However, this amazing Breakfast Cheesecake Smoothie with berries is the best! I like to use frozen berries, they are easy to have on hand so I can make this drink up anytime.

When I blend up this smoothie with the fruit and fabulous Greek yogurt – see all the healthy in here? The taste of cheesecake shines through….yummy!

It only takes a couple of minutes, and a few ingredients to whip up for a terrific breakfast, a snack or just because you’re craving it like I do.

Delicious Berry Cheesecake Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup vanilla flavored Greek Yogurt

2/3 cup frozen berries, your taste

½ cup milk

2 Tbl. (2 oz.) cream cheese

Directions:

In a food processor combine all the ingredients and pulse until it is well combined.Serve immediately.

A creamy smoothie that tastes similar to cheesecake with berry topping

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2014, 2018

Carrie Groneman’s recipe adapted from lemontreedwelling.com,

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Cheese Ball with Asiago Cheese and Roasted Garlic

Asiago Cheese Ball With Roasted Garlic

December 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Asiago Cheese Ball With Roasted Garlic

Ingredients:

2 heads of garlic, whole heads – check for softness or bruising

Olive Oil

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/4 cup Asiago cheese

1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped (2 oz.)

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:

First begin by roasting garlic.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and follow instructions HERE

Meanwhile toast the pecans in a dry fry pan over medium heat, stirring constantly so the nuts toast and do not burn.

Continue cooking until the nuts are a light brown then take off the heat.

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Once the garlic has cooled, squeeze the cloves in a food processor.

Add in the softened cream cheese, sour cream and grated Asiago cheese.

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Mix until creamy and combined.

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Remove the cheese mixture to a sheet of plastic wrap.

Cover it completely with plastic wrap.

Form a ball.

Chill for 2 hours or until firm enough to to hold a ball.

When ready, on a plate spread evenly the chopped parsley and completely cooled toasted nuts.

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Unwrap the chilled cheese mixture and place onto the parsley nut mixture.

Using your fingers, gently turn, or place the nut-parsley mixture all over the cheese ball to cover as much and evenly as possible.

Chill for one hour before serving.

Keep covered and in the fridge.

Serve with crackers.

An easy, but gourmet cheese ball in taste and flavor

Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2017

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3 AMAZING Guilt-Free Low-Fat Appetizers/Snacks

December 12, 2017/0 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes, Special Diets, Preserving, Miscellaneous /by Carrie Groneman

If you are looking for EASY to make snacks that are delicious, look no further!

These are not only delish, but low in fat and calories, making them guilt-free!

Three unique and very different types of appetizers, or snacks, but all satisfying, which makes us happy 🙂

3 AMAZING Guilt-Free Low-Fat Appetizers/Snacks

You’ll find the crunchy celery with creamy and sassy buffalo filling HERE

The wonderfully seasoned toasted edamame HERE

And it’s always a party with these chips and this dip HERE

BEST Non Alcoholic Family-Friendly Hot Drinks

January 21, 2016/18 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

9 Fabulous Family Friendly Hot Drinks I have been working hard for you to put together a collection of hot drinks that are family friendly; drinks that everyone can enjoy. These are not the usual packets that come in a box, nor the taste by a long shot either. I wanted to bring you a collection of some instant that you can make ahead to mix with hot water in a hurry. I also have some unique drinks such as the hot buttered rum drink that is made from a batter you keep in the freezer. The salted caramel hot chocolate rivals anything you can purchase, believe me, and try it with smoked salt…oohh, now that’s a treat. I have links here on the following pages for each of the drinks shown. They are listed from 1 to 9 though they are all favorites. I hope you enjoy them – we sure have!

BEST Non Alcoholic Family-Friendly Hot Drinks

#1 This Caramel Apple Cider is my copycat version of Starbucks. Recipe HERE

#2 My mom made a mix when I was growing up, then I made it for my kids. I kicked it up a notch and came up with this Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix. Recipe HERE

#3 This homemade Gourmet Hot Chocolate earns its name fair and square. Recipe HERE

#4 BEST Instant White Cocoa Mix is so good and can be made up ahead to have on hand for when you want a wonderful cup of cocoa. Recipe HERE

#5 This Cozy Vanilla Drink is sophisticated and has a depth of aroma that is so satisfying. Recipe HERE #6 When you want something easy, but delicious, this CREAMY CrockPot Hot Chocolate is perfect. Recipe HERE

#7 This exotic hot chocolate is incomparable to any other in its distinctive and authentic flavor. It has a perfect balance of a bit of sweet and an amazing flavor. Click HERE for recipe.

Authentic Homemade Mexican Hot Chocolate

Homemade Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate

#8 My Gourmet Salted Hot Chocolate, in my humble opinion rivals any you will buy in a shop. Recipe HERE#9 This hot Buttered Rum drink is nonalcoholic and very unique and wonderful. Recipe HERE

Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

January 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

My mom used to make a mix for our family growing up and then I made for mine. It was good, but I have taken the base and kicked it up a notch or two and I think it is better than the expensive kinds you buy in the cans. You can make it a dark chocolate or a more mild milk chocolate; depending on your taste. Serve with whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes – whatever your heart desires. It’s homemade and EXTRAORDINARY!

Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

21 – 26 oz. container of Nestle instant chocolate milk powder mix

1 cup powdered sugar

15-16 oz. powdered non-dairy creamer, original flavor

5 cups dry powdered milk, do NOT combine with water

2 Tablespoons – 1/2 cup of dutch processed cocoa powder – the amount depends on how deep you like your chocolate flavor, a few Tablespoons for a mild hot chocolate, more for a darker chocolate flavor – the better quality, the better your product.

2 – 3.56 oz. boxes of Hershey’s instant chocolate pudding OR milk chocolate if you prefer a more mild chocolate flavored hot chocolate- dry, do not prepare pudding mix

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, And blend until completely combined.

Store in tight sealing containers up to 6 months.

To serve, mix 1/4 -1/3 cup hot chocolate mix to 1 cup hot water to desired strength.

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Nonalcoholic Hot Buttered Rum Drink

January 21, 2016/2 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

Nonalcoholic Buttered Rum Drink

As I was putting my collection together of hot drinks that were family friendly, I wanted something else that wasn’t hot chocolate or apple cider. I started searching around and come across hot buttered rum drinks. I was very intrigued to say the least. I learned that buttered rum drinks are made with a batter that is kept in the freezer – at least the type I found, and then you make up a cup as you want one.

This hot drink is like nothing else I have ever had. I’ve had all my family try this very exceptional beverage and they all say its amazing and one you need to try. Rich, distinctive and outstanding.

Nonalcoholic Hot Buttered Rum Drink

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoon rum extract

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 – .74 oz.package apple cider mix, dry mix

1 pint or 2 cups vanilla ice cream

Directions:

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter, sugars, nutmeg, cinnamon, extracts and cider mix until well blended. Nonalcoholic Buttered Rum Drink 2 Add in the vanilla ice cream Mix until combined. Pour into a freezer container with a tight fitting lid. Seal and freeze. It will not freeze solid.To serve, scoop enough to fill a mug about half full. Add boiling water to fill 2/3 the way up and stir to dissolve.

Serve.

Carrie Gronemans recipe, Copyright Carrie Groneman, A Mother’s Shadow, 2013, 2016.

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Creamy CrockPot Hot Cocoa

January 21, 2016/2 Comments/in Appetizer, Beverages, Dips, Recipes /by Carrie Groneman

This is easy-peasy no hastle, put it all together and let it go hot chocolate, but the taste is scrumptious! It really is amazing for such and no-fuss recipe. I have options you might like also, as well as ideas for a hot chocolate bar for a party or get-together.

CREAMY CrockPot Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

1 pint half and half

14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

6 cups of whole milk for richer flavor

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 package chocolate chips – milk or semi sweet; your preference (you could get adventurous and mix in some mint chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or even substitute white chocolate chips)

Directions:

Pour all the ingredients into a crock pot.

Stir together, combing well. Cover and cook on low for approximately 2-3 hours. Occasionally stir until the mixture is hot and the chocolate chips are melted. Whisk or stir well before serving.

This would be a fun one to have a few kinds going in crockpots and then several options for garnish such as: marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed candy canes, heath bits, crushed cookies, flavored syrups – let your imagination go wild and have FUN!

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