Homemade Chocolate Milk

Once upon a time I was sitting on my couch craving chocolate milk. I LOVE milk - I drink at least a 1/2 gallon a day, but sometimes I just like a good class of chocolate milk.



I'm am tired of buying the chocolate milk powder that ends up forming a gritty mess in the bottom of the cup and not mixing into the milk! Yes you can also buy the chocolate syrup to mix in but I also put to much in which makes it taste like milky chocolate syrup - gross again.



If you follow this recipe you will get a great glass of milk with an amazing chocolate taste and no gritty-ness.








Homemade Chocolate Milk


Mix together in a small microwave safe bowl:
2 T sugar
1 t cocoa powder



You want to mix these two together so you have no clumps of the sugar or the cocoa powder. If you do have clumps you will get gritties in the bottom of your glass.



Mix in 2 T hot water. Mix together so the sugar and cocoa dissolve completely.



Microwave for 15-20 seconds.



Add to 11 oz milk (or one tall glass of milk - I never measure the milk) Stir and enjoy.

Raspberry Syrup

Lately I have been wanting a good raspberry lemonade or raspberry limeade. I was able to find a great recipe that is perfect and can be used for many different things including: raspberry drizzle for desserts, raspberry lemonade or limeade, ice cream toppings, etc.

Start by mixing:

12 ounce bag of frozen Raspberries
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water


Heat in a pan until raspberries start "melting" and letting go of their juices (about 5-7 minutes). Mash the berries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to help the berries break down.


If you are going to make a raspberry lemonade or limeade add in the juice from 1 lemon or 1 lime, respectively (optional)


Simmer until thickened (another 5-7 minutes). If you want to use it more as a heavy sauce let it thicken a little more, if you want to use it for lemonade or limeade, 6 minutes will be perfect (depending on your simmering amount).



Run through a mesh strainer to catch all the seeds and big raspberry pieces. Make sure you put a bowl under the strainer to keep all the good juice! Use the back of a spoon to get out any extra juice hiding in the raspberry pieces.


I strained half the mixture at a time so my strainer wouldn't get clogged with seeds. Discard the seeds and raspberry pieces.







Refrigerate the syrup for at least 30 minutes before using it.


To make a lemonade or limeade, add 3 Tablespoons (more or less to taste) to pre-made lemonade or limeade.

I cheated and just added 3 T to a can of sprite.
SOO GOOD!  It was the perfect drink for a hot summer day.

**Also** you can freeze 1 T water and 1 T raspberry syrup in ice cube trays to make raspberry ice cubes. Add to any drink that would taste good with a raspberry flavor!

Enjoy!

Summer Smoothies!

I just am loving this summer weather!  It makes me want to have a smoothie every day!  They are so easy to make and you can add whatever fruit you like best or what looks good at the store.  

My favorite combination is made of:

4 big strawberries

1 banana

small handful of blueberries

big handful of ice

1/2 cup strawberry yogurt

1 tsp vanilla

Just mix it all up in the blender and enjoy!

I found a solution to those that can't drink it all (which sometimes happens).  I don't want to waste it, so I decided to freeze the leftovers.  I put them in ice cube trays that way I can just plop them out of the freezer, back to the blender and have a nice frozen smoothie instantly!!!

Enjoy your yummy summer smoothies!