ACV Cold Wassail

 This one is a variation on the Apple Cider Vinegar Punch:

(A surprisingly fresh tasting, good for you drink.)

In a 2 quart pitcher or bottle, 1/2 cup of organic apple cider vinegar (the good kind you get from a health food section)

In a separate cup, place 1 tsp liquid stevia (available from Vitacost).  Or, you can sweeten it with about 3/4 c honey dissolved in hot water.

To the stevia or honey add:

2 drops birch essential oil, 1 drop cinnamon essential oil, 1 drop nutmeg essential oil, 3 drops tangerine or orange essential oil. (Other oils suitable include clove, lemon, lime, allspice.)

Mix, then add the stevia/oil mix to the apple cider vinegar.   (Optional--One package of "Emergen-C". I use Super Fruit, Triple Berry Burst or Tropical).

 Add 1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1/2 tsp almond extract.

 Add spring water to fill the  2 quart container and mix well.

Divide THAT mixture into two separate 2 quart containers.  Add 2 cups of light grape juice (or apple juice or other juice) to each container.

 

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad

(inspired by Blender Girl)

8 oz penne or spiral pasta noodles (cooked, rinsed and drained)

2 C. spinach, slightly chopped

1 C. sliced strawberries

1 C. drained mandarin oranges OR cubed, fresh pineapple

1/4 C. dried cranberries

1/2 C. nuts (cashew, pine or pecans)

Optional:  1/4 C. chopped red onion

1/4 C. peeled, chopped apples

(Use what you have.)

 

Dressing:

Whisk together in a separate bowl:

1/2 C. olive oil

1/3 C. apple cider vinegar (the good kind)

1/4 C. greek yogurt OR Best Foods mayo (either works)

1 t. prepared mustard

3-4 Tbl. raw honey

1/3 C. orange juice

2 tsp. poppy seeds

 

 

 

 

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

4 C. fresh cranberries ( about one package)

1 c. dark red grape juice OR light grape juice OR apple juice or even orange juice (For a "secret" ingredient that adds a special Wow flavor…add 1/4 t. cherry unsweetened Kool Aid.)

1  orange or mandarin, peeled and chunked OR use 1/2 small can of mandarins, drained.

3/4 c. sugar (can use white, raw, brown or even honey)

2 Tbl. Ultra jel  ( gives some body and thickness)

1/2 to 1 t.  shredded fresh ginger root

Boil the sugar and juice, stir until dissolved. Add the fruit, Ultra Jel & ginger, then process at pulse in a blender or food processor. Can leave some of the cranberries whole if desired. Optional:  5 drops of orange, mandarin or tangerine essential oil. Serve on sandwiches or with turkey. Yum! (Can be made “raw” with Agave instead of sugar and don’t boil it.)

Catalina Style French Dressing

(Created by Judy from blending other recipes--not EXACTLY Catalina, but better! No Soy or Canola oil, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid or artificial colors.)

1/2  C. Red Wine Vinegar

1/2 C. catsup

1/2 C. sugar or  1/3 C melted honey

1/2 C. olive oil

1 t. dry mustard

1 t. paprika

1 Tbl. lemon juice

1 t. real salt

1/2 t. black pepper

1/4 t. chili powder

2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 t. onion powder

1/2 t. garlic powder

Optional ingredients: 1/4 c. melted elder or grape jelly; 1/2 c. fresh cranberry sauce;

Whisk all ingredients until smooth.

Broccoli Apple Salad

Broccoli Salad

(inspired by Alyssa at the Recipe Critic Blog)

4 cups fresh broccoli florets, (about 2 medium heads)

½ cup shredded carrots

¼ cup diced red onion or white onion

2 large apples, finely chopped and peeled

½ cup pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped

½ cup dried cranberries (I used 1/2 c. fresh cranberry relish)

1 cup shredded purple cabbage

Creamy dressing ingredients:

3/4 cup Best Foods mayonnaise

½ cup greek yogurt (I used Honey Vanilla)

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 Tablespoon sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon pepper

In a large bowl combine broccoli, carrots, onion, apples, pecans, and cranberries.

To make the dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, greek yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper.

Add the dressing to the salad and toss to coat. Chill until ready to serve.

Cowboy Caviar

 Cowboy Caviar

(recipe inspired by "Cookie Kate", Celebrating Whole Foods and Heather Stoffers)

1  can (16oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (16 oz) black eyed peas, rinsed and drained (optional, but provide an interesting texture and flavor)

2-3  cups corn kernels (frozen, fresh or canned)

1  medium tomato diced (can use canned if you don't have fresh) or 2 Roma tomatoes

1 medium red or orange bell pepper (or even green)

1  medium zucchini diced  

3/4 C. chopped red onion (about 1/2 of good sized onion)

¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 small jicama, peeled and chopped ( I have substituted diced water chestnuts)

(Optional) 1/4 C. chopped Tamed Jalapeno pickles or (if you really like a kick to it) 1 fresh jalapeno, ribs and seeds removed and finely chopped.

 Dressing (stir together well): 1/4 c olive oil

1/4 c lime juice

2 tsp grated lime zest

½-1  tsp salt

1/2  tsp fresh ground pepper

2 medium cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed

1-2 Tbl. Italian seasoning

1-2 Tbl. honey (melted)

 

 Most of the ingredients are optional except for the corn and black beans. You can double the dressing ingredients for more flavor or use your own recipe for Italian dressing. Toss to mix and coat. Can be served at this stage as a side dish  OR  to assemble burritos, mound ½ cup bean mixture onto a tortilla and spread into a rectangle.  Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp of  grated mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese.  Fold tortilla egg roll style and place seam side down on grill.  Cook 2 minutes each side.  Serve immediately with sour cream, salsa, etc.  

Easy Citrus Grape Apple Wassail

(Makes about 2.5 qt)

 1/3 C. honey dissolved in 1 C.  hot water 

4 C. white or pink grape juice

4 C. apple juice

 1 C. orange juice

1/3 C. lemon juice

3 Tbl.  Real Vanilla extract

1 t. almond extract

(You can mix the following into the honey/water mixture or add at the end)

1 drop cinnamon bark essential oil

1 drop nutmeg essential oil

1 drop clove essential oil

5 drops tangerine or orange essential oil

Heat to serving temperature for wassail; Serve cold for punch… OR mix with equal parts of Ginger Ale or Lemon Lime soda