Tag Archives: summer

Honeydew-Lemongrass Agua Fresca

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Aguas frescas (or Spanish “cool waters”) are made by combining fruits, flavors, sometimes seeds and flowers with a bit of sugar and water to make a light non-alcoholic beverages. They are popular in Latin American countries – and I’ve been trying some recipes since Seattle is back in the close to 90 degree range. This Honeydew-Lemongrass version is totally refreshing!

Don’t have lemongrass? No problem, try a tablespoon chopped basil, mint or tarragon!

Blog lemongrass melon fresca

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups water, divided
  • 1/8 – 1/4 cup sugar (I used 1 Tbsp agave syrup instead, but I like less sweet)
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, lightly smashed
  • 2 pounds honeydew – peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • Ice, for serving

Preparation

  • Combine 1/4 cup water, sugar or agave and lemongrass in a saucepan; simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Remove lemongrass.
  • Blend together honeydew, lime juice and remaining water. Add sugar syrup, to taste. Strain and serve over ice.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets

dit-elle-Esther!

Strawberry Margarita

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Like a classic margarita? Here you take the best of the Classic Margarita, add some Strawberry Granita, and there you go – a wonderful summer drink! Perfect combo when strawberries are ripe and in season.

Blog strawberry margarita-2 Blog strawberry margarita-1

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Tequila (Patron Silver. It’s worth it!)
  • 1 oz. Triple Sec
  • 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 1 oz. Strawberry Granita
  • Lime wedges for garnish
  • Ice

Directions

  • Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice
  • Shake up and strain into a glass filled with ice
  • Garnish with lime wedge

dit-elle-Esther

Tomato, Basil, Mozzarella and Watermelon Skewers

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We’re having another “heat wave” (Seattle doesn’t really know what to do when it’s 80+ degrees (except celebrate perhaps). Get to 90+ though and we start melting). With no air conditioning, we try not to cook and bake much, instead we head to the lake for picnic dinners or grill on our deck. These skewers require no grilling or cooking however and are totally summer, totally simple, and totally delicious.

We had these at a wedding few weeks ago in California. It was the perfect appetizer.

You skewer cherry tomatoes, cubed mozzarella, cubed watermelon and fresh basil leaves. Then drizzle with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette and serve! So easy!

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Ingredients

  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Watermelon, slice into 1″ cubes
  • Mozzarella, cubed
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Balsamic vinaigrette
  • Skewers (look for bamboo knot cocktail / Hors’ D’oeuvre picks)

 Directions

  • Skewer tomatoes, watermelon and cheese with basil layered in
  • Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette
  • Keep refrigerated until ready to serve
  • Enjoy!

dit-elle-Esther

Red, White and Blueberry Popsicles

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These popsicles were inspired by our favorite summer ingredients – strawberries, blueberries, coconut milk! This is a great project for kids to help with. Getting molds ready, selecting ingredients, sampling the flavors! Have fun! 🙂

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Ingredients

Red

  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • add some water if too thick

White

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Blue

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • add some water if too thick

Directions

  • Blend individual popsicle batches and pour into molds in layers. And yes, layers may bleed a little (but this is the quickest way to do this!) and hey, give a pretty marbled effect! 🙂

There is another version using berries/water/honey on Elana’s Pantry that is worth checking out also! http://elanaspantry.com/red-white-and-blueberry-popsicles/

dit-elle-Esther

Lemon Basil Cookies

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My basil plant has been loving the heat wave in Seattle and growing like crazy! These lemon basil cookies are great for breakfast or as a quick snack – keep in the freezer for a yummy cold paleo cookie treat! Grain free, dairy free, soy free, egg free! Blog Basil lemon paleo cookies-2 Blog Basil lemon paleo cookies-1 Ingredients

  • 2 cups blanched almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ cup coconut butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Instructions

  • Combine almond flour and baking soda in a food processor
  • Pulse in coconut butter, honey, basil, and lemon zest
  • Scoop dough one level tablespoon at a time onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
  • Press balls of dough down to flatten
  • Bake at 350° for 6-10 minutes
  • Cool for 2 hours
  • Serve or freeze for an easy protein rich snack!

Inspired and modified. Thanks Elanaspantry.com dit-elle-Esther

Strawberry Balsamic Granita

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It’s been so hot in Seattle that all I can think of making is frozen treats! Granita is an Italian dessert made of sugar, water and flavor or juice and is very easy to make.

Also check out Lemon Granita and Cranberry Jalapeno Granita!

Blog strawberry balsamic granita-1

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces fresh strawberries (about 2½ cups), hulled
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar, or to taste
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
  • More balsamic vinegar for topping (optional)

Preparation

  • Combine berries and sugar in a food processor until smooth. Stir in water and vinegar. Transfer to a glass baking dish and freeze for 30 minutes.
  • Thoroughly scrape the entire pan with a fork, breaking up ice crystals. Repeat freezing and scraping process every 30 minutes, until granita is firm but not frozen solid, 2 to 4 hours.
  • Spoon into small glasses and serve.
  • Garnish with a fresh strawberry and a few drops of balsamic vinegar (optional)

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration!

dit-elle-Esther

Cranberry Jalapeno Granita

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A deliciously refreshing icy dessert for hot summer days (or Christmas holiday season). The Jalapeno adds a bit of heat (you can remove the seeds for a milder taste), so this is not really a kid dessert. Someone mentioned topping oysters on the half shell with this spicy-sweet ice, but I have not been that brave yet. 🙂

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 4 mint sprigs
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, slices
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

Directions

  • Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to boil
  • Cover and remove from het, let stand for 15 minutes
  • Strain cranberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a baking dish, discard solids
  • Cool to room temperature, stir in lime juice
  • Cover and freeze.
  • Once frozen, remove mixture from freezer and scrape with a fork until fluffy
  • Serve and enjoy with a mint sprig for garnish

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Plum Pie with Crumb Topping

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This is a totally delicious breakfast, snack or dessert. Make it when plums are in season and top with ice-cream or Greek yogurt for some totally non-paleo deliciousness! 🙂

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Ingredients

For the crust

  • 2 cups almond meal
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 egg
  • dash of salt (optional)

For the filling

  • 4 cups sliced plums
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder (I used 1 Tbsp potato starch instead since I didn’t have arrowroot powder)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the topping

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Place almond meal and salt in a food processor and pulse briefly. Add coconut oil and egg and pulse until mixture forms a ball, adding a little water if necessary to make dough stick. Press dough into a 9-inch pie dish.
  • Toss together filling ingredients in a bowl; arrange in pie crust and pour remaining liquid over the top.
  • Stir together topping ingredients and crumble over filling.
  • Bake until the filling is tender and the top is golden, 35 to 45 minutes.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration!

dit-elle-Esther

Mango Pineapple Smoothie

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Mango, pineapple and coconut give this smoothie a delicious tropical flavor. Not to sweet, not tart.. it’s the perfect summer snack! There was so much smoothie, I made popsicles for the kids as well! 🙂

Blog mango smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1 1/2 Cup Pineapple (I used frozen, but can also use fresh)
  • 1 Cup Mango (approximately one whole mango, if not using frozen)
  • 3/4 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 1 TBSP Chia Seeds

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients together and enjoy! 🙂

Thanks Athleta for the inspiration!

dit-elle-Esther

Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango

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This is great as a chilled summer dessert! Creamy rice pudding, sweetened naturally by milk and cinnamon, topped with chopped mango – a delicious balance of tart and sweet. The dish draws on Indian and Scandinavian flavors, where both cardamom, cinnamon and rice are staple ingredients in a variety of dishes.

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Ingredients

  • 6 cups whole milk (or coconut milk if you prefer)
  • 1/3 cup uncooked basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + more for garnish
  • 2 cups chopped peeled mango (about 2 large mangos)

Directions

  • Combine whole milk and rice in large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat and gently boil for 40 minutes or until mixture thickens
  • Stir in coconut milk, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly
  • Spoon~1/2 cup servings into dessert bowls (makes 8 servings)
  • Top with chopped mango and a sprinkle of cinnamon

dit-elle-Esther