Christmas Wassail

Story:
What is wassail, you ask?  The first answer is: "Here we come a'wassailing, tralalalalala..."  The second answer is it's apple cider with a citrus twist.  It is yummy.  But I almost like the smell just as much as the flavor.  Mmmm.  Smells like Christmas.

This recipe is from Ben's Aunt Kendalyn.  Love her.

I've started making this when our family watches the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on the first Sunday of December every year.  We like inviting friends over to watch it with us... and it's a fun way to usher in the Christmas spirit.

Ingredients:
*Spices:
1/2 C brown sugar
2 C water
5 whole cloves
4 allspice berries
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 piece ginger root

*Beverage:
2 C orange juice (or pineapple juice)
1 C lemonade
1 qt apple cider (or apple juice)

Directions:
Combine all the spices in a small pot.  Bring to a boil.  Then cover and simmer about an hour.
Then add all the spices to the liquids.  I like to combine everything in my crock pot and serve it out of there.  Like Aunt Kendy says, "It's like havina potpourri you get to drink!"

Vitamina

Story:

In his younger years, my dad served a mission in Brazil. Missions were 2 1/2 years then, so he had a lot of time to live, love, and serve there. He brought home with him lots of experiences to be shared throughout the rest of his life. One such "experience" was that of the VITAMINA. Since bananas and avocados grew in plenty in Brazil, he and his companions would make drinks that they would call "vitaminas." Bananas, avocados, ice cubes... whatever was in their apartment. In turn, I grew up on these. Growing up in San Diego, avocados were plentiful and fruit abounds.

Directions:

While I don't have a specific recipe to give you here, I want you to rest assured, that children don't mind green smoothies. In this vitamina, I think I used an avocado, a couple of bananas, ice, water, and some vanilla. Easy-peasy and so healthy-good. Sometimes I put in sugar or honey to sweeten. You can add whatever fruit is around, and we throw in yogurt all the time as well. But remember the avocado. They are so good for you.. and the fats help you to not get so hungry-so quickly after eating it...

Ciao!

Orange Julius

Story:

Shouldn't everyone have a copy of how to make orange julius?! My kids love it!

This one came out of my cookbook from Traci's mom, Julie.

A yummy and sweet after-school snack... if you're ready and willing to give them a sugar rush, that is...

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C water

1/2 C milk

1/2 C sugar

1 t vanilla

1 (6 oz) can frozen orange juice

ice cubes (about a dozen... or more...)

Directions:

Just throw it all in a blender and mix.

Pineapple Slush

Story:

This one right here is a great "refreshment" ... and you will often see something like it at many Mormon activities. I first got the recipe from Emily K. when we worked together on Relief Society Enrichment activities. (We used it at the RS Commemoration dinner in March of '08). The only time I've made it myself was for Megan's baptism (March of '09). I just had a request this afternoon for the recipe, so I thought I'd go ahead and post it while I was thinking of it.

Ingredients:

6 C water

4 C sugar

46 oz can pineapple juice

1/2 - 2/3 can frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 - 2/3 can frozen lemonade concentrate

1 t almond extract

Directions:

Combine water and sugar in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then let it cool. Add pineapple juice, then add frozen orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, and almond extract. Stir well. Pour into a large container and freeze.

When ready to serve, put frozen mixture in the punch bowl (or whatever) and pour 7-up or ginger ale over the top. Break it up a little, and... voila! Pineapple slush.

Lemonade Specialty

Story:

Sarah E. gave me this recipe. If I remember correctly, she made it for me for a party or something at my house once. (Sarah, was it for Ben's 30th surprise party? I can't remember.) Anyway, it is delicious.

Ingredients:

5 quarts water

3 C sugar

2 T lemon extract

1 T citric acid

slushy ice

Directions:

Mix first four ingredients in a punch bowl. Add ice, and serve.