Homemade Almond Milk (Step-By-Step Instructions)

Making your own almond milk is so easy!  You just need to plan ahead for it.  It's raw, lactose-free, unprocessed, and healthy.  It's also creamy and delicious!  Simply soak the almonds in water for 12 hours, drain them, and then process the almonds in the blender with fresh water.  You can also add other ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon and honey.  It's so easy!  

Note:  Homemade almond milk lasts covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.  Use the best quality almonds that you can find for the best results.  Hot water makes the almond milk more creamy.  Also, the longer you soak the almonds, the more creamy your results will be.  

Caramel Apple Sangria

Sweet Honeycrisp apples, crisp sparkling apple cider, white wine, and caramel syrup join forces to create a fantastic festive libation!  Honey whiskey and vanilla bring out the flavor of the caramel, although the whiskey is optional (I used Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Whiskey).  Because the apple cider, caramel and apples are so sweet, I opted for a drier white wine, but you can really use any wine you'd like.  Finally, the caramel/sugar-coated rim sets these babies over the moon!  This really is a delicious, sweet drink that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!  

Strawberry, Mint & Lime Agua Fresca

Oh, what a beautiful spring day it has turned out to be!  The sun is shining without a cloud in the sky, and there's a lovely, fresh breeze flowing through the windows of my home.  Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and we celebrated with these delicious agua frescas.  Thankfully, I had some leftover that I could enjoy this afternoon on my back porch along with the lovely weather (minus the tequila, of course!).  Agua fresca means "fresh waters" in Spanish.  They are refreshing, fruity, and easy to make.  Try experimenting using fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, or any combination of your favorite fruits!      

Note:  Depending on the sweetness of your strawberries, you can add up to 1/3 c of sugar to the  strawberry mixture.        

Strawberry, Kale & Carrot Smoothie

This is a super healthy and refreshing smoothie that is low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals.  Oh, and it's pretty darn delicious, too!  I didn't add any honey to my smoothie because my strawberries were sweet enough on their own, but you certainly can add it to sweeten it up more.  Happy hump day!  

Red Velvet Hot Chocolate Cocktail

My husband and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage this Valentine's Day!  We had a nice little getaway planned for this weekend that we have been looking forward to for a while.  Unfortunately, the impending snowstorm that is predicted to drop 18 inches of snow starting tonight and ending Friday morning has postponed our excursion, which means we will be spending both our anniversary and Valentine's Day snowed in at home.  Not that I mind - the happiest place in the world is in my home with my husband and little sous chef!  Unlike most of my family and friends, we were blessed that we didn't lose our power for very long in last week's snowstorm.  I think that's mainly because our power lines run underground... why don't they all run underground?!  If we aren't so fortunate with the power this time around, we'll make the best of it by lighting candles all throughout the house, staying close, and maybe even  playing Candy Crush  reading a good book by candlelight.  How romantic!  Do you have any fun plans for Valentine's Day?  What better way to stay warm and cozy on a cold winter's night than with this red velvet hot chocolate cocktail?!  It's easy to make and so delicious!

Affogato with Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream & Kahlua

Sometimes, it's the simple things that are the best!  Just three ingredients go into this Italian dessert.  Well, it's technically a drink, but I say it's both!  The word affogato means "drowned" in Italian.  Simply drown a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in hot espresso and a splash of Kahlua.  Voila!  You have a delicious dessert that will send coffee lovers to heaven!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Kick back, relax and enjoy this beautiful autumn weather with a delicious pumpkin spice latte.  Go ahead - you deserve it!  Pour in a little rum to take it up a notch.  

Cherry Blossom Sparkler

It's almost happy hour!  I'm celebrating with my new favorite cocktail.  It's sweet as cherry pie and tantalizingly bubbly!  What's your favorite happy hour drink?

Ingredients:
Yields 1 drink

• 4 oz ginger ale 
• 1 oz grenadine 
• 1 oz gin 
• 1 tbsp maraschino cherry juice 
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 3 maraschino cherries, for garnish 

Directions:

Pour the ginger ale, grenadine, gin, cherry juice, and lemon juice in a martini glass.  

Garnish with cherries and sliced lemon. 

Enjoy!

Oreo & Whiskey Milkshake

Conjure up the kid in you with some Oreos and milk but enjoy them as an adult, milkshake style with a little whiskey.  You deserve it!  Everything in moderation, of course.  

Note:  Baileys, rum and bourbon are also good substitutions for the whiskey.

Blueberry Wheat Germ Smoothie

It's blueberry season!  Refresh yourself with this delicious, creamy blueberry smoothie.  Rich in vitamins and high in fiber - it makes for a great start to your day!  For a lower calorie version (185 calories), substitute 1 cup of the blueberries for 1 cup of ice.

Strawberry-Rosemary Lemonade

Take the edge off of those hot, sunny days with a delicious and refreshing Strawberry-Rosemary Lemonade.  The sweet strawberries paired with the fresh taste of rosemary pushes this lemonade over the top.  Happy hour?  Pour in a little vodka and kick off your shoes!     

Pineapple Carrot & Orange Smoothie with Ginger

Cool off with a refreshing, delicious smoothie that is low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals.

Pumpkin Pie Mudslide

Is it happy hour yet!?  If you happen to be a lover of mudslides and also a lover of pumpkin pie, this drink is for you!  Rich, creamy, delicious and a perfect way to unwind after a long day.  Kick it up a notch and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream right into the center of the drink. 

Ingredients:
Serves 1

• 3 fluid oz Bailey's Irish Cream 
• 1 fluid oz Kahlua
• 1 fluid oz cream
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1/4 c pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 oz Hershey's chocolate, melted 
• Ice
• 1 scoop vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:

Spread the melted chocolate around the inside rim of a martini glass.

Pour the Bailey's, Kahlua, cream and vanilla into a glass.  Add the pumpkin, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to the glass and stir well to combine.  Add a handful of ice to the liquid and stir for 30 seconds.

Strain the liquid into a martini glass.  Scoop the optional vanilla ice cream into the center of the glass.  Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or serve with a cinnamon stick.

Kick back and enjoy!

Homemade Apple Cider with Rum in Apple Cups

Oh, how I love the sweet aroma of cider while it simmers for hours in my home!  It has become a tradition for me to kick off autumn with some homemade apple cider.  This is such a fun and cute way to serve this beverage.  You can serve these with the cider still hot or chilled.  

Martini Milkshakes

Calling all martini lovers!  This drink is for you.  I found myself craving both ice cream and a martini last night and the thought came to me... why not enjoy them both at once!?  The result?  A delicious cold and creamy martini!  I can think of no better way to wind down after a long, hard day of work than with one of these.  

Note:  If you like your martini "dirty" as I do, substitute 1 tbsp of the whole milk with olive juice.

St. Patty's Pistachio Pudding Shots

My sister-in-law, Beth, recently introduced me to pudding shots.  I loved the concept and immediately knew that I would be making them for Saint Patrick's Day.  I decided to use pistachio pudding because it is obviously green but also because it has a nice almost minty flavor to it.  These are so tasty -- it's hard to have just one!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Cotton Candy Cocktails & My Two-Year Blogiversary!

I cannot believe it has been two entire years since I first stepped foot on this blog journey.  It really has been an amazing ride filled with ups, downs and everything in between.  I asked my husband last night, "Can you believe it has already been two years?"  He replied, "I honestly feel like you've always been doing this."  Though Cooking Creation has only been in existence for two years, it has become an integral  part of who I am.  I want to sincerely thank all of my faithful followers and subscribers for all of your kind comments, constructive criticisms and helpful suggestions.  

Quite a few things have changed since last year.  Cooking Creation now has a Facebook page, is on Pinterest, uses Twitter (sparingly), was featured on the front page of AOL.com and has been featured weekly in the Pottstown Mercury newspaper both in print and online.  One of my greatest joys has been cooking side-by-side with my daughter and seeing her love for cooking and baking grow.  My husband's palate has expanded and I proudly no longer consider him a picky eater.  He has even been watching cooking shows on his own.  I have gained confidence in cooking and baking, enough so that I have joined my church's bake team for Sunday mornings and meals group for those who need help with dinner after surgery, childbirth, etc.  

About a week ago, I asked my readers, family and friends for suggestions about what to post for my anniversary and I had a lot of great responses.  A friend of mine suggested that I post something that has to do with the traditional two-year anniversary gift of cotton, such as cotton candy.  It was a brilliant idea and I jumped all over it!  Thanks, Mona!  My first thought was to simply make cotton candy and do a tutorial but I wasn't really looking forward to the sticky mess.  For my one-year blogiversary, I made a three tier cake (which became known as humble pie) but I wanted to do something other than bake this time.  I decided that this year, I was going to do a simple cocktail to celebrate -- a cotton candy cocktail.

This is a sweet, pretty cocktail that is a lot of fun.  You simply place a heaping bunch of cotton candy into your cocktail glass, pour the liquid over it and watch it dissolve into a pretty pink (or blue) cocktail.  This would also be super cute for a kid's birthday party... but make sure you leave out the vodka!    

Please celebrate this special day with me by raising your cotton candy cocktails.  Here's to cooking with and for family and friends for many more years to come!  Salute!

Watermelon-Tequila Cocktail

One Year Ago:   Sesame Chicken and Sugar Snap Peas over Rice

I picked up a watermelon from the grocery store and had just planned on cutting it up as a snack until I came across this recipe from Food and Wine.  It is so refreshing!  Sweet watermelon, sour lime and refreshing mint to cool you down and relax during this very HOT spring.

Red Sangria Two Ways

One Year Ago:   Low-Fat Tomato-Basil Lasagna with Prosciutto

Looking for a drink to serve with your salsa on Cinco de Mayo? Here is tasty drink that you can serve to adults and to children with just the slightest changes.  My husband wanted to try only a sip but loved it and ended up taking an entire glass.   

Ingredients:
Printable Recipe
Recipe by Food Network Magazine

• 3 1/4 c dry red wine
• 1/4 c brandy
• 1/4 c orange liqueur (I used Grand Marnier)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 sliced oranges 
• 1 sliced green apple
• 1 1/2 c seltzer

Directions:

Mix the wine, liqueur and sugar in a pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar.  Add the fruit.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Add the seltzer just before serving.

Enjoy! 

Kid-Friendly Version

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 c cranberry and grape juice
• 1/4 c orange juice 
• 2 sliced oranges 
• 1 sliced green apple
• 1 1/2 c seltzer

Directions:

Mix the cranberry and grape juice and the orange juice in a pitcher.  Add the fruit.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Add the seltzer just before serving.

Enjoy! 
 

Irish Coffee

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!  Here is a drink to celebrate.  To all of those who will be going out tonight, have fun but please remember to be responsible.  Cheers!

Ingredients:

• 3 oz strong-brewed coffee 
• 1 1/2 oz Jameson Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp brown sugar, or to taste 
• Ground cinnamon, for sprinkling 
• 1/3 c heavy whipping cream 
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract 
• 1 tbsp sugar 
• Option:  Green food coloring

Directions:

Pour the coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar into a glass or mug and stir.

Combine the heavy cream, vanilla and sugar in a medium bowl.  Whisk until stiff peaks form.  Float the whipped cream on top of the coffee.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Swirl some of the green food coloring with a toothpick around in the whipped cream.

Enjoy!