Kahlua Oreo Milkshake {Adult Milkshake}

Milkshakes, lovely milkshakes!  Do you love them as much as I do??  I thought this sweet dream up while having a mommy playdate/happy hour.  It was a 'grueling' 80 degrees (yes, we are pansies here in Santa Barbara!) and we were sipping on cold white wine.  White wine is my favorite summer drink but it didn't seem to quench my summer thirst.

I needed something colder, something more satisfying....

And something more chocolaty!  

I made this milkshake a little less heavy by using almond non-dairy ice cream and reduced fat oreo cookies.  Hubby said this was one of the most decadent drinks he's had... I would have to agree!  It was delicious!!

It's also very easy to adapt for your little ones. Omit the alcohol and add 1/2 cup almond milk.  They will love it! 

Kahlua Oreo Milkshake

Recipe created by Epicurean Mom

Yields 4-servings 

Ingredients:

4 cups almond non-dairy ice cream 

5 reduced fat oreos

1/2 large banana

1/3 cup kahlua 

1/4 cup bailey's irish cream

1/4 cup crushed oreos, for garnish

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a blender, blend until smooth.  Pour into a freezer safe container, cover and chill until slightly stiff, about 1 hour.  Serve and garnish with crushed oreos. 

Blood Orange Sangria Recipe

Here in So Cal the weather has been more then inviting the past few days.  Gorgeous clear skies, beautiful mid 70's and a gentle breeze to help cool you off.  After the gloomy rainy days we've been having this is the type of weather to help ring in the soon-to-be summer days!  A wonderful citrusy sangria in hand doesn't hurt to help cool you down.  

This past weekend my girls helped me find the most perfect blood oranges at the Farmers' Market.  They were juicy, red stained and so sweet! I just love to break open a ripe blood orange to see the vibrant crimson color inside, don't you??

All my sangria recipes differ with optional fruits, bubbly and alcohol substitutes.  Since I'm not a huge brandy fan, I opted out of using it in this recipe and subbed it for triple sec.  Lime and blood orange compliment each other beautifully, so it was only natural to add the two together, right?! Right!

Memo: Enjoy this citrus wine on a beautiful sunny day, full of bbq'ing fun! 

Most importantly, do not forget to invite yours truly! 

Blood Orange Sangria
Yields 7 servings 
Recipe Created by Epicurean Mom

Ingredients:

2 blood oranges, juiced

1 lime, juiced

2 blood oranges, sliced thinly

1 lime, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon sugar

1 bottle of red wine, I used a cabernet 

2 tablespoons triple sec 

1 teaspoon mint, minced

3 cups blood orange sparkling juice 

Blackberries and minced mint for garnish 

Preparation:

Combine all the ingredients (except for the garnish and the sparkling juice) together in a large jug.  Stir well and place in the fridge overnight.

When ready to serve pour the sparkling juice in the jug and pour into individual cups.  Garnish with mint and blackberries. 

Egg Nog {Greetings to the start of Fall}

Ah, it's finally starting to feel like Fall here in Southern California. After the last few hot weeks, I'm eagerly greeting Fall!! The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about Fall and Winter is Egg Nog and cute coats and boots...I can't wait to pull mine out!

This delicious spiced egg drink isn't for everyone, but I promise you'll love mine! A friend was over for a play date, and I offered a small glass to her. She immediately refused and stated she didn't like the overly creamy drink. After repeated offers, she reluctantly agreed. Needless to say, she loved it!

I've made many batches of egg nog from various recipes, none I was extremely excited about. I'm also slightly finicky about raw eggs, and most recipes call for the traditional raw eggs. Yikes! I cringe just thinking about it!

Since raw eggs give me the hebby gebby's I par-cooked the eggs, which really adds (to me) a far less eggy taste. I'm also slightly obsessed with spices so I added lots of them!

Bring on the Fall weather and enjoy this seasonal drink! It's always nice to half this recipe with rum and half virgin to share with your kids. My girls loved it!!

Enjoy!

Egg Nog {Cooked}
Adapted from Epicurean Mom


Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cinnamon stick
generous pinch of ground clove
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup rum (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
Over low heat combine milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cinnamon stick and clove in a medium saucepan. Rise the heat slowly and bring to a slow boil (it takes about 7 minutes to bring to a boil.) Once the milk mixture starts to boil take off heat and let the cinnamon stick seep for 2 minutes, remove cinnamon stick.

In the bowl of a standing mixer combine egg yolks and sugar. Whisk together until pale and fluffy. With the mixer on low, pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks (tempering the yolks) whisk until well incorporated. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and heat on med/med-low for about 5 minutes, continually stirring, until thickened and creamy.  Do not let it boil, or the nog will curdle.

Stir in the rum, heavy cream and nutmeg and refrigerate over night. When ready to serve garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.