Get Cooking!

Recipes, Kitchen Gadgets, Cookbook Reviews, Gluten Free Recipes...

You are here: Home / Archives for Recipes / Beverages

Beverages

My Favorite Orange Julius Copy Cat Recipe

By

Orange Julius

Orange Julius “Copy Cat!”

I love making different beverages at home – coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milkshakes, smoothies, apple cider, punch… The list goes on and on. But one of my favorite drinks to make (and certainly one of my family’s favorite drinks to enjoy) is the Orange Julius.

I don’t know if any malls still carry Orange Julius kiosks or not. I seriously doubt it. I know the ones around us no longer have them. I have no idea why, they were outrageously popular.

The recipe below is darn close to these wonderful, citrus-y, frothy beverages. They’re perfect year-round because, even though and Orange Julius is a cold drink – what better time to serve your family scads of Vitamin C than cold and flu season?!

I think you’re going to really enjoy this beverage.

Orange Julius Recipe

1 cup orange juice (I like for it to have some pulp)
1 cup water
1 egg white
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 heaping cup ice

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender.  Blend on high for about 15 to 20 seconds… until the frothy magic happens.

NOTE: Don’t get cute with the sugar. I tried to replace it with Stevia (wasn’t the same) and I have tried cutting back on the amount (again, not the same).  Pinch the calories elsewhere!

As far as the brand of orange juice, I’d imagine that the better the orange juice, the better the Orange Julius.


Orange Julius

Orange Julius Copy Cat Drink

Hamilton Beach Juice Extractor: Arming Your Kitchen for Greater Health!

By

While almost everything about the Pandemic has been tragic, hideous, ugly, and negative in every way – a few small benefits can’t be overlooked.

Most of us will never take anyone in our lives for granted ever again – young or old, I truly believe our loved ones will be cherished more than ever before. I also believe we’ll be more apt to be more thankful for the simple joys in life, things we once took for granted, like simply going out for a hamburger with your spouse or shopping at Target with your daughters.

Another benefit, I believe, will be a lot more people getting serious (really SERIOUS) about their health and weight. COVID, like so very many diseases, did not and does not discriminate when it comes to its victims BUT it most certainly does more damage to those who are older, those with pre-existing diseases, and/or those who are overweight.

Many people are realizing that the time is now (past now, if we’re being honest) to get in better shape and lose excess weight where it may lurk.

Fortunately there are a lot of healthy kitchen tools and small appliances that make it easier to eat and live much healthier. Juice extractors, for example, are one of the easiest, fastest, and most efficient ways to make sure we’re getting all the fruits and vegetables we need in our diet.

I am as big a fan of smoothies as anyone in the world, but even I admit that they can tend to be pretty high in calories. When it comes to juicing, you can get the benefits of the vegetables and fruits without all the extras we put in our smoothies.

The beauty pictured here is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor and it is one of the best on the market.

Features

  • Fits whole foods – for less pre-cutting
  • Easy to assemble and store
  • Powerful 800 Watt motor
  • Dishwasher safe parts
  • Includes recipes, tips and juicing cup
  • Extra-large pulp bin lets you juice longer – use pulp in recipes or for composting

Product Description

Tired of those expensive, sugary juices filled with preservatives and questionable additives? Ready to retire your old juicer and upgrade to something better? The Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor can take nutrition to the next level and help you kick-start a healthy lifestyle.

Eating healthier and incorporating fruits and veggies into snacks or meals doesn’t have to be boring, expensive or time-consuming. In no time flat, before you can say “over-priced juice bar,” the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor extracts the juice from a whole apple. This kitchen staple and secret weapon proves that there’s a fast, easy way to add more produce into your daily diet. What’s more, there is no need for adding sweeteners or preservatives, making juice the ultimate healthy drink.

Rated a “Best Buy” by a leading consumer advocacy publication, the Big Mouth Pro Juice Extractor flawlessly performs the task of extracting juice from whole fruits, vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes with efficiency and speed. Equipped with a powerful 1.1 horsepower motor, an extra-wide feed chute and a stainless steel cutter/strainer, it quickly processes whole fruits and vegetables — with no pre-cutting — to produce invigorating, healthy juice.

See Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor (Amazon link) for A LOT more information.


Fun, Colorful Tumblers with Lids and Straws

By

Okay, so I just found something on Amazon I have to order right away, if not sooner. Only problem is deciding how many to order. Not only am I OBSESSED with tumblers with lids & straws (especially in the summer), I have three daughters who are just as obsessed. The fun, colorful Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) comes in a set of 5, so I could conceivably buy one set and divide the cups between us with two leftovers for other members of the family.

BUT how much more fun would it be for each one of us to have our own fun set of 5? Pretty sure I’m officially leaning that way.

Things I Love About These Colorful Cups:

  • You can make the beauties change color by adding ice to your favorite beverage. Just watch the color changing cups transform before your eyes. These beauties would make great photos for Instagram or Twitter.. I mean, the rest of the world may as well see you while you’re living your best life, right?
  • The fun eye-catching phrases on these cups match whatever mood you’re working with that day: OK Boomer, Stay Woke, Spilling Tea, Adulting is Hard, and Sorry Not Sorry.
  • The reusable cups with lids are splash-proof. The snug snap-on lids fit each tumbler cup securely. One of the main reasons I love cups with lids during the summer is so I can take my glass of raspberry tea with me wherever I go, without worrying about it spilling on me OR allowing flies to use my tea for a personal pool party.
  • These cups are stackable, so storage is not a problem and they fit most cup holders.
  • They’re made of a high-quality durable plastic, so the reusable plastic cups with lids and straws lasts for many years.

If you use tumblers as straws as much as I do, you will absolutely want to find a straw-cleaning brush (Amazon link). I had been trying everything in the world to clean my reusable straws when my youngest daughter gave me one of these brilliant little brushes. I honestly had no idea they even existed but will never be caught without one now.

See Color Changing Cups with Lids and Straws (Amazon link) for more information, bigger photos, and even a video.

Frothy Warm Vanilla Milk Recipe

By

Hot Milk in a Great Rita Hayworth Mug

Warm Frothy Vanilla Milk

I have always been a fan of hot drinks – make that fanatic. Basically, I have a hot drink of some type near me at all times – coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, apple cider… doesn’t matter if it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall.  As someone who has had bronchial asthma all of her life, I’ve always appreciated the way a hot drink keeps my airways open. In addition to better breathing (always a good thing), I simply find a cup of warmth comforting.

When I read earlier this year that drinking hot drinks, frequently, was thought to keep one safer from getting COVID, I let out a whoop… I had something already in my corner to help me.

This recipe is for something that is much more delicious than it sounds. It’s fun to experiment with different milks (cashew, almond, coconut, and even lactose free – each of the nut milks are outstanding fixed this way). My favorite milk to use is Coconut milk. A word of warning, if you use a nut milk with added vanilla, omit the extra vanilla – or add less. If you add too much, you’ll basically find yourself drinking vanilla.

I put my hot vanilla milk into my Blendtec (Amazon link), but any blender would certainly do. I simply use my Blendtec daily, so not using it would make it worry what had happened to me.

Could you make the Frothy Warm Vanilla Milk without a blender? Absolutely. You just can’t call it frothy – doing so would be a violation against kitchen protocol, you know.

One of the best things about adding this recipe to your rotation of warm drinks is the fact it is caffeine free (perfect for evenings and young people) AND warm milk promotes better sleep. Win/win!

Hot Milk in Rita Hayworth Mug

Delicious With OR Without Cinnamon On Top


Steeped Coffee Review: The Fastest, Easiest Hot (or Iced!) Coffee Imaginable

By

Steeped Coffee

Two of my greatest passions are tea and coffee.  I have a tea blog and often approach this food blog as a coffee blog… hey a caffeinated girl’s gotta do what a caffeinated girl has got to do, right?

Truth be told, I love coffee and tea equally – like their my children. Whichever one I’m with is my favorite at that moment. Often, when it comes to making a fresh cup or glass of either, time comes into play and I choose tea. It’s just so easy – and, no I’m not a huge fan of most instant coffee.

When I was contacted by Steeped Coffee about telling my readers about their product, I read these words, “STEEPED COFFEE is the easiest way to make a great cup of coffee anytime, anywhere, in minutes. Take your moment—at home, work, or on the go. Steeped single-serve coffee bags are filled with 100% specialty coffee and are crafted for quality, freshness, and convenience. Every bag is nitro-sealed inside compostable packaging, making every cup guilt-free and eco-friendly,” I (literally) said out loud, “Ingenious!”

My cats thought I was talking to them, so they ignored me.

Steeped Coffee

Seriously, though. How has this not been thought of before – it is absolute genius. You simply make a hot cup of coffee exactly as you would a hot cup of tea (in fact, you don’t even have to steep it as long… unless, that is, you want your coffee to be so stout it flirts with you).

Many may argue, “Silly food blogger, Pods have been around for years!” but here’s why Steeped Coffee has totally changed the game:

There’s a bit of a controversy surrounding pods when it comes to the environment. You can click the link and read about it when you’re through here. I won’t dive into that right now, the link leads to an article that does it greater justice than I could. What I want to point out is the obvious – one is FAR more apt to have access to boiled water than they are a K-Cup machine. Whether it’s at the office or job place (microwave water if a stove isn’t available), your kitchen, or even a campsite – Steeped Coffee is simply more convenient than pods.

Simpler to carry, too.

Iced Steeped Coffee with Milk

Naturally, none of this means Jack if the coffee isn’t good. I’m delighted to tell you that it’s very good, indeed! Due to the fact that it’s summertime, I’ve enjoyed my Steeped Coffee iced more than hot, but it is wonderful both ways. If you make it iced, a little vanilla syrup and/or sweetener makes it taste like it’s from your favorite coffeehouse.

As you can see in the pictures within this review, I sometimes like my iced coffee with milk and other times without it. You can’t go wrong either way.

I wanted to be able to choose a personal favorite for the review, but I honestly can’t. They are all fantastic, even the decaf!

Steeped Coffee Bags

Learn more about Steeped Coffee on their website. You’ll find the subscription information, buying options, a blog, and even a GREAT looking diner mug!

Iced Steeped Coffee Review

Features of Steeped Coffee include:

  • 100% Specialty Coffee: quality coffee ethically sourced directly from farmers
  • Nitro Sealed: removes oxygen, stopping the clock on freshly ground beans
  • Ultrasonic Edges: no glue, staples, or wasted materials for max steeping
  • Full Immersion Filter: non-GMO filters that regulate ideal water-in and maximum flavor-out
  • Guilt-Free Packaging: made using plant-based renewable and compostable materials
  • Micro Batching: roasted locally in small batches
  • Precision Ground: consistent water-cooled grinding to the micron
  • Pre-Portioned: consistent SCA recommended water-to-coffee ratios
  • Just Add Water: single-serve convenience with no machines required
  • Barista Approved: tested by multiple independent specialty coffee Q-graders for freshness, quality, and taste

PBfit Review: Healthy and Delicious for the Whole Family

By

PBfit

Delicious PBfit – All Natural, Vegan, and Gluten-Free

While I’m normally the class clown, I want to be somewhat serious for a minute.

I guess that’s somewhat of a benefit to being the person who’s never serious, when you ARE serious, people know it’s… well… serious.

Think back to when you were in grade school. If you’re a parent or grandparent, odds are you have trouble thinking of overweight kids or even teachers. I can, honestly, remember the names of the overweight kids because they were so few.

Today, sadly, things are much, much different. You cannot go to the store, it seems, without seeing precious children who are already dealing with weight as an issue – at an age when they’re only “issue” should be homework or keeping their little brother from snitching on them!

I don’t have to tell you how unhealthy and dangerous carrying extra weight is. I won’t insult your intelligence with any diabetes statistics. You know that there is an epidemic in our country – with children and adults. An epidemic that HAS to be confronted head-on with better nutrition.

PBfit Smoothie

Chocolate PBfit Smoothie with Apple and Banana

The problem is… kids have incredible appetites! They’re growing and busier than any self-respecting Type A bee, so that’s only natural. Starving them is most certainly NOT the answer. Fun activities and healthy food are the answers needed and, fortunately, healthy food couldn’t be easier.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, too. It’s delicious! In fact, eating healthy is so delicious – and makes you feel so much better – that the entire family will benefit.

PBfit is one of my family’s newest obsessions and it will surely become one of your family’s as well.  With 87% less fat than traditional peanut butter and 1/3 the calories, all natural PBfit makes meals and snacks healthier and even more delicious than ever.

You simply mix a little water with the PBfit mixture and… badabing!… delicious and creamy peanut butter. You only make the amount you need for the moment, so it’s always fresh and fantastic. If you want to add a little chopped peanuts or even a mashed banana, have at it. While the options are endless, it’s never better than when it is in its simplest form – good old fashioned peanut butter. PBfit Chocolate Peanut Butter

Chocolate PBfit Peanut Butter

It’s wonderful spread on bread, toast, or English muffins (with or without banana slices – YUM!) but I actually prefer dipping apple slices into the peanut butter. I also love making smoothies with the traditional PBfit as well as the Chocolate PBfit (it makes outstanding peanut butter, too… very reminiscent of Nutella).

When making your favorite smoothie, simply toss in some PBfit for extra protein and flavor. It is absolutely perfect in chocolate and banana smoothies. I usually throw an apple in, too, for good measure.

After all, an apple a day and all that…

There are a lot of excellent sounding PBfit recipes on the official website. I’m slowly but surely going to workmy way through each of them. Seriously, this is outstanding – you are going to love each of these – Chocolate PBfit, Organic PBfit, and the Original PBfit.

Kids will get a huge kick out of “making” their own peanut butter and you’ll never have to let them know how much healthier it is for them. Heck, even I get a kick out of “making” my own peanut butter and my qualification for “kid” expired quite a while back!

PBfit Smoothie

 

Each of the three varieties is IDEAL for smoothies and even milkshakes. They smoothly incorporate into the other ingredients – seemingly even better than traditional peanut butter does. I’ve actually been surprised just how smooth and creamy my smoothies are.

Below is a recipe from PBfit that’s a perfect example of the options when it comes to smoothies.

 PBfit and Jelly SmoothiePBfit & Jelly Smoothie

1 cup frozen blue berries
4 tbsp pbfit
1 scoop vanilla protein
1 tsp low carb sweetener, monk fruit
3/4 cup milk of choice
*** optional, 1 tsp goji berry powder for color added nutrients

Blend and enjoy!

Find more recipes, nutrition information, and a lot more on PBfit.com.

PBfit sent me the samples in the picture above in exchange for telling my readers about their product. They also graciously shared the PBfit & Jelly Smoothie recipe and picture with us. The raving words and opinions are all my own, of course (as are the rest of the pictures). I was blown away by PBfit – I honestly had no idea how delicious it would be, for one thing, or how many different ways it could be used for another.

You can find PBfit in most grocery stores as well as on Amazon. I hope you’ll check it out – you and your family will absolutely love this!

Latte Pops with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

By

Latte Pops with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

All cooks have their favorite, “go to” ingredients – many of us actually share a lot of the same faves:

  • butter
  • garlic
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • Kosher salt
  • cumin
  • cayenne pepper
  • garlic powder
  • vanilla extract
  • EVOO
  • etc.

Then there are those of us who have our own unique favorites that we wouldn’t dream of EVER running low on, let alone out of.

In addition to those above, a few of mine are:

Yes, sweetened condensed milk and yes, it must be Eagle Brand. It’s simply better, period.

I use sweetened condensed milk in so many different ways, a good 3 cans has to be in the pantry at all times. If it got under 2, I’m pretty sure a culinary nervous breakdown wouldn’t be far away.

Three of the ways I use Eagle Brand the most are…

  1. I add a can to cake mix batter – it makes the cake more moist and (as you’d expect) richer. Gluten-free cakes tend to dry out sooner than other cakes and Eagle Brand keeps this from happening. Magic!
  2. I also use Eagle Brand often… make that OFTEN… when making “Coffeehouse” type fraps and lattes. There isn’t any need to add sugar, obviously. Just combine the sweetened condensed milk and coffee (hot or iced) in a blender and you’re set.
  3. Eagle Brand makes the best pies of all time, including my personal favorite Sweet Potato Pie recipe. Trust me, save this one for Autumn. You’ll want it for Thanksgiving as well as the days leading up to it!

This summer I came up with another favorite way to put this particular favorite ingredient to use – Frozen Latte Pops. Again, as is the case with anything you make with Eagle Brand, it couldn’t be simpler.

I pour iced coffee and Eagle Brand into frozen Popsicle molds and freeze them until solid. It doesn’t get any easier than that, right? Sometimes I add a splash of Vanilla Syrup along with the “magic” and coffee, but it isn’t necessary.

These pops taste Heavenly and I get a giddy kick out of the white stripe at the bottom. That white stripe is pure deliciousness.

If you don’t have Popsicle molds, fill an ice cube tray up with the combination and freeze. When solid, crush the yumminess up with a spoon and…. well, you know what to do at this point.

For wonderful Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes, visit their website.

Latte Pops with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Review: Miss Ellie’s Coffee – More Than a Pretty Face

By

Miss Ellie's Coffee - New Orleans Roast

Miss Ellie’s Coffee New Orleans Roast  (Perfect)

I always love the sweet life of being a food blogger, but there are times I love it even more than others – such as the times I’m sent coffee in exchange for telling my readers about it. Oh, yeah, that’s when I love it almost as much as my next breath.

I was recently sent a great collection of Miss Ellie’s Coffee, as well as a beautiful coffee cake – which was above and beyond cool of them – and it’s my supreme pleasure to tell you all about this wonderful coffee.

First of all, a reminder about my coffee reviews. I keep the reviews simple and pretty much in everyday Jane and Joe language.  I don’t get too heavily into the extra details of a coffee because my food blog audience (like me) are most concerned about…

  • … the taste of the coffee.
  • … the value of the coffee.
  • … the people on the other side of the label.
  • … if this is a coffee they have to order online, what makes it worth the effort?
  • … and perhaps most importantly, what sets this coffee apart from the rest?

If we’re being honest, the question, “What sets this coffee apart from the rest?” is always the first question I ask myself when trying a new coffee. If I can’t come up with an answer, then Houston, we have a problem!

Fortunately, it’s been my experience that if people are willing to send you their coffee in exchange for telling your readers about it, they are confident about what they’re bagging and this confidence is almost, without fail, very well placed.

That’s certainly the case with Miss Ellie’s Coffee. When I eagerly opened the box of coffee (think 5 year old on Christmas morning), one look at the coffee bags gave me my first glimpse into one of the things that sets this coffee apart from the rest… as in all the rest.

This is the first time I’ve ever seen a bag of coffee carry the individual’s face.

And what a beautiful face, at that! I mean we’re talking Disney Princess level beautiful – but that’s beside the point. As the mother of three Disney Princess level beautiful daughters, I just happen to notice things like this.

Naturally, the loveliness of the face isn’t what truly matters. To me, it’s the bold confidence and warm friendliness.

  1. Bold Confidence: To put your face (lovely or not) on a bag of coffee, you have to be very confident about that coffee. You have to feel darn good about what you’re bagging to stand behind it… well, in front of it, if we’re being literal. Almost always.. almost without fail… those who are the most confident are this way for a reason.
  2. Warm Friendliness: The smiling face on the coffee bags says, “Let’s have a cup of coffee together!” to me. In fact,  everything about Miss Ellie’s online presence carries the same warm attitude and that totally and completely stands out to me.

Miss Ellie’s Coffee is Truly Exceptional Coffee

We buy a lot of different coffee in our household. It’s a great passion and we love to try as many different ones as possible. I’m also (blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed…) sent coffee regularly to review on my food blog and (blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed…) tea to review on my tea blog. So, if I say someone has carved out an identity for themselves that stands apart from the majority of the rest – please take my word for it.

Each coffee we’ve sampled from Miss Ellie’s has rocked our coffee world. EACH one.  We opened the New Orleans first – what can I say, we liked the name. It’s as deep as that.

I may have mentioned this on the food blog before, I’m not sure – but my first cup of coffee each morning is “Bulletproof Coffee.” This is a delicious and healthy technique for fixing coffee which involves a little real butter and nutritious coconut oil. If you click the link I just dropped (after finishing this coffee review, of course!), you can learn how to make it from the master himself, Dave Asprey.

Miss Ellie's New Orleans in Bulletproof Coffee

Miss Ellie’s New Orleans Makes an EXCELLENT Bulletproof Coffee

Fascinatingly, we have found that not all coffee makes wonderful bulletproof coffee. I guess it’s really common sense, but it always fascinates me nonetheless. Some coffee makes okay bulletproof coffee, some makes good bulletproof coffee, some makes great bulletproof coffee, and some makes exceptional bulletproof coffee.

Miss Ellie’s New Orleans Roast makes some of the most exceptional bulletproof coffee we’ve ever had. In fact, I’ve never had a coffee that made a better one than New Orleans.

After my bulletproof coffee each morning, I go on to have 2-4 cups of pour-over coffee, so I was really anxious to see if the New Orleans roast was as fantastic on its own….. in a more traditional cup of coffee.

Was it ever?! This is simply a beautiful, beautiful coffee and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

From Miss Ellie’s Coffee: This medium roast New Orleans coffee is a blend of selected beans from Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Colombia. We chose this Nawlin’s roast because of the history of the south. Miss Ellie’s medium beans are hand roasted to perfection.

Miss Ellie's New Orleans in Bulletproof Coffee

Miss Ellie’s New Orleans in Bulletproof Coffee

Miss Ellie’s Colombian Roast

The next Miss Ellie’s Coffee we tried was the Colombian Blend. Naturally we tried it in a Bulletproof Coffee, first. We were anxious to see if it made as excellent a cup of Bulletproof Coffee as the New Orleans blend did. While it was absolutely delicious, I’d have to say that the New Orleans beans were EVEN better. This isn’t a knock, at all, against the Colombian.. it’s just a nod to the New Orleans.

The Colombian does, however, make every bit as wonderful a cup of pour-over coffee as the New Orleans. It’s rich, bold, and unmistakably Colombian. I love for a Colombian coffee to be proud of its heritage and this one is as proud as it gets!

Miss Ellie's Colombian Coffee

Miss Ellie’s Colombian with Heavy Whipping Cream – Decadent and Delicious

When it comes to most coffee, if I’m not drinking it Bulletproof-Style, I drink it black. However, when it’s a Colombian blend, I love a little heavy whipping cream in my cup. It is simply HEAVENLY!  Miss Ellie’s Colombian makes an absolutely perfect, ridiculously delicious cup of coffee – especially (in my opinion) with a little heavy whipping cream. Decadent and delicious.

As you can see in the picture above, I decided to celebrate the first day of baseball season (GO CARDINALS!!!) with the Colombian. For this baseball fanatic to choose a coffee as the one she celebrates the first day of baseball with is a compliment of the highest order.

The Colombian with whipping cream and the New Orleans in Bulletproof Coffee have become two of my newest and most treasured obsessions. They’re legendary, that’s all. Legendary.

Miss Ellie's Colombian Coffee

Miss Ellie’s Coffee is, obviously, delicious (I hope I’ve thoroughly conveyed that fact!). It’s also very reasonably priced, so the value is definitely there. I love the way they go about their business – small-business values with a big-business approach. My dealings have been top-notch in every way.

I’m not sure if you order coffee online very often – I’d say we probably order more coffee online than we buy offline. Buying coffee (or anything for that matter) online is so quick, easy, and painless that it becomes your favorite way of shopping. Zero lines, you can order in your pajamas with your cat in your lap, the coffee is brought right to you… and did I mention you can order in your pajamas with your cat in your lap.

Absolutely my favorite way to shop.

I also received some sample-size packets of flavored coffees as well and will tell you all about them tomorrow. Not surprisingly, they’re each extraordinary – it seems Miss Ellie only Makes extraordinary coffee.

I guess that’s why she’s always smiling.

For more information, see Miss Ellie’s Coffee on Coffee.org.

Miss Ellie's Coffee Samples

Beginner’s Guide to Wine Tasting

By

If you’ve never been wine tasting before it can be a little daunting. But wine tasting is not complicated and it’s very much about enjoying yourself while you enjoy some delicious reds and whites. There is no right or wrong way to do it, but if you want to get the most out of it read on for some hits, tips and advice for beginners.

Where to go wine tasting?

Vineyards around the world offer wine tasting sessions so if the wine regions of France, Chile and Australia are within easy reach or you’re going on holiday there soon, make sure you make a trip to a vineyard a priority. However, if there’s nothing like that on horizon, don’t despair! There are plenty of fantastic wine tasting opportunities in the UK from champagne tasting sessions in London to tours of organic vineyards in the countryside – see experience specialist Into the Blue. You might not realise how close you are to a quality winery, so do a little research to find one you can visit.

What to wear

This will depend largely on where you are going to taste wine, but in the majority of cases there is no specific dress code unless you are informed of one. Of course you are always running the risk if you’re drinking reds, so it might worth avoiding wearing white – just in case. It’s worth noting that you should probably avoid wearing perfume or cologne to the vineyard as it may affect your ability to enjoy the smell of the wines.

Wine tasting etiquette

There are a few things to be mindful of when wine tasting – one of the most controversial is whether you spit the wine out or not. The truth is that it’s up to you. It’s perfectly acceptable to spit the wine out, whether you’re trying to avoid consuming too much alcohol or you just don’t like the flavour. Alternatively, you are perfectly allowed to drink if you wish. If it’s your first time here are some extra tips to get the most out of the session:

  • Cleanse your palate in between each tasting with a sip of water and a bite of a plain cracker, if offered
  • Don’t turn down wine based on your known preferences – remember even if you hate it you can spit it out after sampling the flavour
  • Hold the stem of the glass rather than the bowl. This will ensure that the heat from your hand doesn’t affect the temperature of the wine and impair the flavour
  • Make sure that you eat beforehand. Going wine tasting on an empty stomach is a bad idea, even if you’re not swallowing most of the time

 

The three steps of wine tasting:

Sight

It’s a good idea to inspect the colour of the wine, to see what you can discern. You may be surprised to learn that there can be a lot of colour variation from the centre of the glass to the rim. If it is paler at the edge of the rim this usually indicates it is a younger wine. A brownish tint in a red is often a sign that this is a more mature wine. Remember, however, that age and colour does not necessarily indicate quality – you will have to move on to the next steps to get a better idea about that.

Smell

The ‘nose’ of the wine is very important to the flavour, so swirl around the glass and then take in the scent and see what you can get. There is enormous variation in the different smells that a wine can give off with everything from sweet fruits like pears and melon, and citrus notes of lime and lemon to woody and earthy aromas like vanilla, chocolate and sandalwood. See what smells jump out to you – there’s no right or wrong answer.

Taste

Take a good amount of wine into your mouth – not a tiny sip – and make sure you don’t swallow straight away. Savour it; swirl the liquid round and coat the inside of your mouth. The taste will come in three parts: the first impression, the evolution and the finish. Hold the wine in your mouth and see where the flavours go.

The first impression usually brings out many of the same smells you found on the nose – but see what stands out on the tongue. Then the evolution is as other, subtler flavours come to the surface. Finally, the finish is the lingering notes that hang around.

 

Raspberry Gradient Smoothie: Paleo, Vegan, Colorful, and Delicious

By

Raspberry and Grape Juice Smoothie

As I said in my 350 Vegan Recipes review, I am crazy about the Desert Sunrise smoothie… all of the recipes I’ve tried from the book have been great, in fact.

One of my favorite things to do with recipes is (after trying them as is) to take them for spins around the block to see what else we can get into. Since raspberries are a particular obsession of mine, I knew this particular spin around the block would involve these outrageously beautiful berries.

I love Deb Roussou’s idea of using aloe vera juice and sparkling water in smoothies – then adding juice at the end. It makes for a gorgeous smoothie that’s also downright delicious.

I’ve been a smoothie fanatic for years, now, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be one for life. The tricky thing about smoothies is that they’re like another personal reason for getting out of bed in the morning – SALADS. They are only “healthy” if you, literally, make them healthy. Throw in too many bad or borderline bad ingredients and you’ve defeated your healthy purpose and shot yourself in the foot.

If you are accustomed to sweetening your smoothies to the point that they taste like milkshakes, I’d love to propose that you put down the sugar and step away. Some green smoothies or other vegetable-based smoothies DO need a little honey but fruit-based smoothies are perfectly sweet, as is. Your tastebuds will adjust to the difference and you will soon (very soon) prefer the ability to actually taste the fruit and healthy ingredients as opposed to just automatically thinking, “Sweeeeeeet.”

The smoothie recipe below is paleo, vegan (and, of course, therefore gluten-free and vegetarian).

All smoothies don’t have to have milk, alternative milks, or yogurt in them. Experiment and always try to keep your smoothies as natural and organic as possible.

Grape Juice and Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

This is the Grape Juice and Sparkling Water I Use

Raspberry Gradient Smoothie (based on Desert Sunrise, 350 Best Vegan Recipes.)

1-1/4 cups frozen raspberries
1/2 cup aloe vera juice
1 cup ice
2 TBS chia seeds, soaked in a little water for two minutes
1 cup sparkling water
1/2 cup grape juice

Combine the ingredients and pour into 2 glasses. Top each with 1/4 cup grape juice.

The pictures in the post were before I stirred the smoothie together – something you’ll want to do to distribute the juice throughout the drink.  I just had to take a picture because it looked so darn pretty!

Experiment with juices and frozen fruit in this smoothie – make it your own and give it a name. All smoothies should have names, after all.

The recipe in 350 Best Vegan Recipes called for fresh peaches (instead of raspberries), chopped dates (instead of chia seeds), and pomegranate juice (instead of grape juice).

Raspberry and Grape Juice Smoothie