Winter Smoothie

I'm dreaming of summer, and the fruit it brings.

Longing for the abundance of the fruit I love.  Longing for a smoothie.

I know that I've made quite a few smoothies for you over the past year, but this one is special.  It truly is.  You see, it uses winter fruit.  Yes, there is such a thing!  Oranges, lemons, and persimmons, to name a few.

So I created a Winter Smoothie for you, combining the flavors of persimmons and oranges. Sweet and tart, it's ohhh soooo good!

Look at this color...awesome!

Enjoy your day and a smoothie!

Winter Smoothie

Ingredients

1 6 oz container vanilla flavored lite yogurt

1/2  medium banana

¼ cup orange juice

3 persimmons, peeled and diced

1/2 cup of ice cubes

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender and mix until combined.  Serve in a tall glass with a straw.

A healthy glass of winter fruit!

Black Bean Tostadas

It's been a long hard day at work, even the commute home was horrible.  It took me 1 hour to go 10 miles.


Needless to say when I got home it was late, hunger had set in, and I wanted something easy, fast, and satisfying.  Tall order huh?


Well I was inspired by a recipe I saw in one of my Cooking Light books for a tostada.  So I rooted around in the frig grabbing ingredients that included left over taco meat (yummy tacos we had yesterday!) and some spicy black bean dip we like, and decided to create a Black Bean Tostada.


Super easy to make, especially since most items are on hand.  This came together quick and I was pleasantly surprised that I was fulfilled, and satisfied.  It has both crunchy texture, and creamy flavors, plus spice that gives this a kick!  Yummy tummy!


So try this tostada version and take the easy road with something quick, delicious, and healthy.

Black Bean Tostadas


serves 4


2 cups of cooked taco meat, ground beef or turkey
1/2 spicy black bean dip
2 T salsa
2 T chopped cilantro
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 c chopped cilantro
2 T water
1/4 t black pepper
4 8" flour tortillas
Cooking spray
1 cup chopped mixed greens
1 avocado, sliced
Cilantro leaves (garnish, optional)


Preheat broiler.


In a skillet over medium heat add cooked taco meat, black bean dip, salsa and cilantro.  Heat, stirring until heated through, about 2 minutes.  


In a small bowl combine sour cream, cilantro, water, and black pepper.  Mix until well combined.  Set aside.


Spray both sides of tortillas with cooking spray and place flat, in a single layer, on a baking sheet.  Broil on first side until crisp, about 30 sec-1 min.  Flip over and cook the second side until crisp.  Watch closely so tortillas don't burn.


Divide the black bean topping among the 4 tortillas. Top each with lettuce.  Drizzle with sour cream mixture.  Top with avocado slices and cilantro.  Serve.  

Homemade Bread Crumbs

Everyone uses breadcrumbs.  They are great for breading chicken breasts (schnitzel anyone?), using in meatballs or a meatloaf.  You can sprinkle them over mac and cheese too!


So why buy pre-made bread crumbs?  They are full of stuff that we don't need, like sodium (amongst other things).  Don't get me wrong, I've bought pre-made before and probably will again.  They are quick and easy.  But, making your own breadcrumbs is quick and easy too!  Whenever you have bread leftover, the end of a loaf or day old bread, don't through it away!  Just make breadcrumbs.  


You can make these ahead of time and freeze them.  They will be ready when you are to make some delicious dishes.


See below for some delicious recipes using breadcrumbs!

To make breadcrumbs:

Tear day old bread into chunks.  You can use french bread, white or wheat bread, I've even used sourdough bread on occasion.  It lends a zip to your dishes!  Place the chunks in your food processor bowl, or you can use the blender. 

Pulse or blend until you have the consistency you’d like. I make mine medium fine.  

Store in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.

You'll love them, they are soft and tender!  Give them a try and let me know what you think.


Here are some inspirations that use breadcrumbs:


buttermilk fried chicken breasts
roasted asparagus with toasted lime breadcrumbs
potato cakes
cauliflower gratin