3 Ingredient- Blackberry Mint Spritzer

As you can see mint is exploding in my garden and what better way to use it than in a Blackberry Mint Spritzer.



This refreshing summer time drink was initially designed by my lovely daughter, she is the drink and cupcake creator of the family! She is still in school this week, but wanted me to get this post up for everyone to enjoy :) I love all the combinations of this Blackberry Mint Spritzer, it is perfect for a warm summer night. I hope you and your family will enjoy this wonderful drink at your next outdoor gathering.

Ingredients:
1- 2 liter of Sprite (or any other soda that is similar)
Place Sprite in the freezer for an hour or refrigerate overnight.
1/2 cup fresh mint, packed
2 1/4 cup of fresh blackberries

Directions:
In a blender combine blackberries and mint, blend until well combined. Then slowly pour the soda in a gallon size pitcher. Place a fine mesh strainer over the pitcher and slowly pour the blackberry mixture into the strainer. Work the mixture through the strainer with a spoon to remove the blackberry seeds. Once the blackberry mixture has been strained stir slowly to combine all flavors. Then serve over ice and garnish with additional mint and blackberries.

Enjoy!

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia

I have really enjoyed my time off with my kiddos and trying to get the house organized! I don't know if that task will ever be truly accomplished, but I try my best :) This summer I will keep the menu light and will only post one recipe a week. My daughter will also drop in with recipes now that school is coming to an end. Today I am sharing a new recipe that I hope you and your family will enjoy,Tortilla Crusted Tilapia! I know you are ready for the recipe so let's get started...



Ingredients:
4 tilapia fillets
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
a bag of your favorite tortilla chips
(I use El Milagro tortilla chips. They are unsalted, so if you use a salted tortilla chip you may not need to add salt to the mixture.)
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper (to taste)
a small bunch of cilantro, a hand full
(washed, dried, and stems cut)
lemon and lime wedges for serving

Directions:
In a food processor (I used a 9 cup food processor) add cilantro and then fill to the top with tortilla chips. Then add seasonings: chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Process on high until chips and seasoning are blended into a fine crumb. 



Next prepare 3 different stations for dredging, I personally use pie plates. In one pie plate place the flour, in the second one slightly beat the eggs, and the third place the tortilla crumbs. Dredge your tilapia fillets in the flour, then the eggs, and last the tortilla crumbs. Make sure you coat each side of the fish!

Place fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillets) or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Serve with Mexican rice, pico de gallo, or a warm corn and black bean salsa.

Enjoy!

Dreamsicle Cupcakes

Posted By: Christian (Audra’s daughter)
I have to admit here in Texas we have had a cooler spring than usual. However, with summer around the corner temps are beginning to rise, I find myself baking with more refreshing and cooler flavors. The cupcake I am about to share with you has been in my recipe book for awhile, since I was about fourteen. At that time in my  life I could not get enough Sunkist to drink, and I began using the citrus soda to bake with. I have not made this recipe in a while and last weekend I rediscovered it in my recipe book, and after tasting this refreshing cupcake I knew I had to share the recipe with my mother’s lovely readers. So lets get baking!

 
Ingredients:
Yields 12 cupcakes
1/2 cup butter at room temp.
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Sunkist
3 TBS half and half
1/2 TBS orange zest (1 large orange)

Cream Topping
1 cup heaving whipping cream
1/4 cup butter at room temp.
3-4 TBS powder sugar
1/2 TBS orange zest (1 large orange)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla. In a small bowl, combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Then stir in the Sunkist and half and half until batter is smooth.  Pour or use an ice cream scoop to place batter into the prepared pan. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.
Cupcakes are done when it springs back to the touch. Let cupcakes cool completely before applying icing.

Directions for icing:
Chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Then the chilled large metal bow beat the butter and powder sugar together for about 1 minute. Then slowly add the heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks form. Then stir in vanilla and orange zest. Now you are ready to top your Dreamsicle Cupcakes!
Refrigerate cupcakes until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Taking a Break

Hi everyone, I will be taking a break from blogging all through April. My house is demanding to be cleaned and organized or maybe it’s just me ;) Thank you for your patience and understanding. You can still find me on:

Pinterest
Facebook
Twitter
and
Instagram.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Pineapple, Mango, Banana Smoothie

My local grocery store recently had fresh pineapples on sale for a $1, so I have been in pineapple heaven. I recently created this smoothie, not only was it economically friendly but it was delicious too. All the fresh flavors of summertime sit right here in this little mason jar waiting for you to enjoy!

Pineapple, Mango, Banana Smoothie
makes about 5 cups

2 cups of fresh pineapple, cubed
Need a tutorial on how to cut a pineapple, click here
1 cup frozen mango
1 banana
1 cup of 1% milk, or any milk of your choice
1 cup ice
sugar to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth!