Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Coffee)

Well we all knew there would be at least one craze during our time on COVID-19 isolation but at least this is a tasty one!!

Dalgona Coffee (Whipped Coffee) 

Ingredients

2 tsp granulated instant coffee, I used decaf (this won't work with powdered or liquid forms)

2 Tbls suagr

2 Tbls hot water

Non-dairy milk

Method

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup add the coffee, sugar and water and blend with a milk frother or an electric whisk until thick and foamy. This can take a few minutes so be patient.

Pour over iced non-dairy milk and serve. You can drink as is or mix together well.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries are packed full of vitamin C, antioxidants and immune boosting properties (more information on studies here) so here's a way to get that in your every day...on a budget :)

Feel free to add extra spices for preference, I sometimes like some cardamon pods and star anise! Personally I only use half the amount of sweetner listed because for me it's enough.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup
(makes around 2 cups)

Ingredients

2/3 cup dried organic elderberries^
1-2" ginger grated
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground clove
1/2 cup vegan honey or maple syrup (or really any sweetener of choice) 
3 1/2 cups water


Method

Add water, berries, ginger, clove and cinnamon to a saucepan and heat on medium-high heat until boiled.
Lower heat, cover and simmer for 60 minutes.
Allow to cool to warm then strain liquid into a bowl.
Whisk in maple syrup, add more to taste.
Transfer to sterilized* containers.

Dose is;
For Daily Health; 10ml (2 tsps) for adults and 5ml (1 tsp) for children
For cold & flu; Same dosage as above but repeated 3-4 times per day.

*to steralize your jars/bottles, wash with dish soap and hot water and heat in a 275F oven for 20 minutes.

^I got my organic elderberries from Sunburst Superfoods.

Strawberry Daiquiri

This simple and easy daiquiri recipe is so delicious!

Strawberry Daiquiri

Ingredients

1 shot glass of white rum (I used Bicardi)
2 cups frozen strawberries (or frozen fruit of choice)
1/4 cup simple sugar syrup (***recipe below)


Method

Blend all ingredients in a blender and serve.
Add more sugar syrup to taste and a little water if your fruit gets stuck in the blender.

**Note: To make sugar syrup, heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

Mint Julep

I had heard of this drink many times in The Golden Girls so I thought I'd give it a try! It was actually pretty amazing I won't lie. I'm not a huge fan of bourbon so I thought it would taste better with whiskey but definitely better with bourbon! This recipe from courtesy of Alton Brown.

Mint Julep
Serves 1

Ingredients

10 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
1 1/2 teaspoons superfine sugar (I like to use sugar syrup**)
Seltzer water
Crushed ice
2 1/2 ounces Kentucky bourbon whiskey


Method

Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar.
Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down.
Add a splash of seltzer water, fill the glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add the bourbon.
Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Serve immediately.

**Note: To make sugar syrup, heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

Electrolyte Juice

Adapted from a recipe by Wellness Mama, this is great for a sports drink or when sick.

Electrolyte Juice

Ingredients

1 litre water (I used boiled)
1/4 Himalayan pink salt
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbls cordial syrup (or sugar)


Method

Add all ingredients together and mix well.
Will last up to four days in the fridge.

Sunshine Juice

This juice is delicious and packed with Vitamin C for when you're sick or think you might be coming down with something.

Sunshine Juice

Ingredients

4 Valencia oranges
2 carrots
2 sweet apples (I used gala)
4 strawberries


Method

Remove rind and tops/bottoms as required and put all items through a juicer.
Stir and serve immediately. Serves 2 large glasses.

Homemade Raspberry Cordial

This recipe comes through the Anne of Green Gables page on Sullivan Movies website! Based on the one Marilla used to make :)
This recipe was kind of time consuming and messy but it ends up making what you might call a syrup or drink concentrate - you need to dilute it with at least the same amount of water (or more) before drinking or it's very strong. Great syrup for champagne or cocktails too! I made this recipe x4 to get 1 gallon of drink (including the water addition)

Homemade Raspberry Cordial

Ingredients

500g fresh or frozen raspberries
500g caster sugar
3 Tbls red wine vinegar
400ml water


Method

Mix raspberries with caster sugar in a saucepan.
Add red wine vinegar.
Heat it gently on the stove whilst mashing it with a potato masher. (I ended up using a hand blender).
Once it is gloopy and thick then press through a sieve to remove the seeds. You need to do this in very small amounts (like one soup scoop) at a time and remove the seeds each time once the liquid has fallen through, otherwise you end up clogging it and having to start again.
This process is very time consuming! The first sieve I used was letting the seeds through somewhat so make sure you use a very fine sieve.
Pour the strained liquid back into the saucepan and bring to the boil for two minutes.
Pour into a sterilized bottle and store in the fridge for up to four weeks.
Add at least equal amounts of cordial to water (even more water if desired) before drinking.
Enjoy!

Naked Nutrition

The lovely people at Naked Nutrition sent me a free sample of some of their vegan protein powders to try! I used Naked Rice Protein Powder & Naked Pea Protein Powder but they also have a Naked Peanut Butter and Naked Choc Peanut Butter which also sound good!

Here is a recipe they sent me using the Naked Pea Protein Powder, I changed it a bit because it was a bit thick for me.

Secret Greens Pea Protein Shake

Ingredients

2 cups baby spinach (or other greens)

1 mango (if using frozen, thaw out first)

1 banana

2 cups non-dairy milk (I used flax)

1 scoop of Naked Pea Protein Powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

Ice as needed

Method

Blitz everything in a blender until smooth and enjoy!

And this is a recipe I made up using the Naked Rice Protein Powder!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake

Ingredients

1 banana

1 cup non-dairy milk (I used flax)

1 scoop of Naked Rice Protein Powder

1 tbls agave syrup

2 tbls Peanut Butter

1 Tble cocoa powder

Method

Blitz everything in a blender until smooth and enjoy!

Get Well Cider

With flu season just around the corner this is a recipe for a citrus concoction that will help you fight through. This is a soothing vitamin C rich cider that is guaranteed to make you feel better. My BFF gave me this family recipe that was passed on by her grandmother, she called it "Russian Tea".

Get Well Cider

Ingredients

3 oranges

3 lemons

20 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

2 litres (1/2 gallon) of iced tea (use sweetner of choice)

2 litres (1/2 gallon) pre-made orange juice

Method

Juice the oranges and lemon, mix in the pre-made orange juice and put juice aside.

In a large saucepan place the orange and lemon rinds and fill with water until the skins are covered.

Add in cinnamon stick and cloves and boil.

While boiling use a wooden spoon to press the skins against the side of the pot to get the oils out.

If you haven't already brew your tea. I used decaf but you can make it as strong or as week as you like. I sweetened with agave syrup.

After the skins have boiled for 15-20 mins, take off heat and discard skins.

Run water through a sieve to remove the cloves and cinnamon. Remember it's the water you want to keep!

Pour water & tea into the juice and serve hot or cold. 

Will keep in the fridge for about a week.

Easy Homemade Nut Milk

For this you will need a nut bag or cheese cloth and a container large enough for 3-4 cups of liquid to drains. I find this recipe make the milk quite light - like skim milk. For a thicker milk edit the ratio of nuts to water or leave nut pulp in. To sweeten or flavor you can add agave, cinnamon etc.

Easy Homemade Nut Milk

Ingredients

1 cup nuts (almond or cashew work well)
4 cups filtered water


Method

Soak nuts over night, then drain and rinse.
In a high powdered blender, mix the filtered water and nuts until completely liquid.
Place nut bag or cheese cloth over your glass jar and secure with an elastic band or two!
I had to use a funnel as my spout was small :)

Pour nut mixture into nut bag/over cheesecloth and allow to naturally drain - can a few hours.

Replace jar lid and store in fridge for a week or two.

Almond Milk

Cashew Milk

Vitality Juice

This green juice gives you that instance boost of vitality and a glow to your skin!

Vitality Juice
Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 daikon radish
4 apples
2 big handfuls of collard greens
10 carrots


Method

Juice all ingredients and stir to mix.
Drink straight away to ensure maximum enzymes!

Vegan Bailey's Irish Cream

Who doesn't love a glass of Bailey's during the holiday season! Thanks to Oh She Glows for this wonderful recipe! Husband didn't like the hint of coconut so if this is you try it with vegan creamer or almond milk.

Vegan Baileys Irish Cream

Ingredients

1 can light coconut milk
1 can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 cup Sucanat (or brown sugar should work)
3/4 cup strong espresso or coffee, or to taste
3/4-1 cup Jameson Irish Whiskey, or to taste
pinch of salt


Method

In a medium or large pot, add the cans of coconut milk and whisk.
Now whisk in the sugar.
Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently.
Simmer for about 8-10 minutes, while stirring frequently, until it cooks down and thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and stir in the espresso or coffee.
Just buy a cup from the coffee shop and use that. Add in espresso/coffee to taste.
Add a pinch of salt and finally the Jameson, to taste.
I added about 3/4 + 2 tbsp of whiskey and it was strong, but so is the original!
Make it as strong or weak as you prefer.
Allow to cool.
Store in sealed jars and serve over ice, with coffee or tea, or in baked goods.
The whiskey and espresso settles to the bottom of the jar slightly, so give it a good stir before using.

Melon Ball Cocktail

I got this recipe from the Midori website but changed it up a bit.

Melon Ball Cocktail

Ingredients

60ml (2oz) MIDORI
30ml (1oz) vodka
4 oz orange juice
orange slice/frozen melon balls for garnish


Method

Fill the glass with ice.
Mix together MIDORI and vodka, pour into glass.
Top with orange juice.
Garnish with an orange slice or frozen melon balls.

Spanish Sangria

This recipe is from Gimme Some Oven. This serves 4 for a girls night in :)

Spanish Sangria

Ingredients

2 (750 mL) bottles dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot
1 cup brandy
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup orange liqueur
1 pound DOLE strawberries, hulled and halved
3 oranges, thinly sliced
3 limes, thinly sliced
2 lemons, thinly sliced
4 cups DOLE fresh arugula
Club soda to top up


Method

Stir together wine, brandy, sugar and orange liqueur in large pitcher, until sugar is dissolved.
Stir in the arugula, and use a wooden spoon to mull (crush) the arugula so that the flavor is released. Add strawberries, lime, lemon and orange to the wine mixture, and lightly mull the fruit to release juices.
Cover and refrigerate for anywhere from 2-24 hours.
Stir in as much soda as desired, then strain or leave chunky and serve over ice.

Taiwanese Bubble Tea

In Sydney I used to get vegan Bubble (or Boba) Tea all the time from places like Chatime but in Utah...kinda hard to find. I found the tapioca pearls in an Asian grocer and this recipe on The Ktchn. This milky black tea recipe was for my husband but I love the green tea ones too! So refreshing!
This usually requires a wide straw which you can get at an Asian supermarket but if you don't have one use a spoon :)

Rainbow Tapioca Pearls

Black Tapioca Pearls

Taiwanese Bubble Tea

Ingredients

1/4 cup dried boba tapioca pearls per serving
1-2 tea bags per serving, any kind
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
Milk, almond milk, or sweetened condensed milk
Fruit juice or nectar (optional)


Method

Cook the Boba: Measure 2 cups of water for every 1/4 cup of boba being prepared into a saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the boba and stir gently until they begin floating to the top of the water.
Turn the heat to medium and cook the boba for 12-15 minutes. Remove the pan from heat, cover, and let the pearls sit for another 12-15 minutes.
Prepare Sugar Syrup for the Boba: While the boba are cooking, make a simple sugar syrup to sweeten and preserve them once cooked. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil over high heat on the stove or in the microwave. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
Prepare a Strong Cup of Tea: This can be done either while the boba are cooking or ahead of time. Allow enough time for the tea to cool completely before making the boba. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the tea bag. Use one tea bag for regular-strength bubble tea or two for a stronger tea flavor. Remove the tea bag after 15 minutes and chill the tea.
Finish the Boba: Once the boba have finished cooking, drain them from the water and transfer them to a small bowl or container. Pour the sugar syrup over top until the boba are submerged. Let sit until the boba are room temperature, at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate until ready to use. Boba are best if used within a few hours of cooking, but will keep refrigerated for several days. The boba will gradually harden and become crunchy as they sit.

Make the Bubble Tea: Pour the prepared tea into a tall glass and add the boba. Add milk for a creamy bubble tea, juice for a fruity tea, or leave plain and add a little extra water. Sweeten to taste with the simple syrup from soaking the boba.

Mango Daquiri

You can substitute any fruit you like and it will be delicious!

Mango Daquiri
Makes 4

Ingredients

2 ripe mango, peeled, seeded and chopped (you can use frozen if you like)
1/4 cup lime juice (2 limes)
2 Tbls sugar syrup
1 cup white rum
1 Tbls Triple Sec (otional)
Crushed Ice


Method

Place the mango, lime juice, sugar syrup, triple sec and rum in a blender and process until smooth.
Pour the mixture over a glass full of crushed ice.

Note: To make sugar syrup, heat 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.

Lemon, Lime & Bitters

This is one of my favourite drinks in Summer. It's refreshing and so low in alcohol you'd need about 100 to even feel the effects. It's a great option at a party too if you know you're driving but don't want to miss out on the fun!

Lemon, Lime & Bitters
makes one

Ingredients

Angosturia Bitters
1/2 Fresh lime (cut into wedges)
Lemon soda
Ice


Method

Take a highball glass and add ice.
Use the Bitters and run it around the inside of the glass till all sides are covered.
Squeeze in your lime wedges and then top up the glass with your soda.
Delicious!

Mojitos

This recipe that I've changed up from the Food Network says it serves 4 but honestly I think it's more like 2, strength wise.

Mojitos
Makes 4

Ingredients

Ice
6 ounces light rum like Bacardi (around 3/4 cup)
8 sprigs of mint, more for garnish if required
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 tablespoons sugar syrup
Club soda/soda water
4 slices lime


Directions

Mix rum and sugar syrup in a jug and crush in the mint with your fingers.
Add your lime slices and pummel gently with a muddler (or do as I do and use a rolling pin).
Place ice into four high ball glasses and add ice.
Add 1/4 mix to each glass and fill up with soda water/club soda.
Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.

Banana Peach Smoothie

Easy, delicious and healthy! Is there nothing that doesn't go with bananas?

Banana Peach Smoothie

Ingredients

1 banana (I used frozen)
1 ripe peach (you can use frozen)
1 cup non dairy milk of choice


Method

Blitz all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Rainbow Juice

My favourite juice forever has been just orange, apple and carrot and if that's all you have then it's an amazing juice. I've recently added some things to it to make a bit more special :)

Rainbow Juice

Ingredients

6 carrots
2 applcs (any colour)
2 oranges
2 handfuls of spinach (I use as much as will fit down the juicing shoot)
1 beetroot
2 inch chunk of ginger


Method

Juice and enjoy :)