cooking4carnivores

My children seem to reach new milestones everyday. It happens faster with the second than the first child. Before you know it they are sleeping through the night (and waking at six in the morning), walking (and falling...lots), and talking (and repeating things you wish you hadn't said in front of them). Right now we are potty training my second child. And true to form, she is mastering this skill in no time. But when it comes to somethings we seem to be stuck. Sure we have moved out of bibs (and invested in more stain removal spray), but we still use sippy cups. Not that they can't drink from a real glass, but I clean up enough messes. (Did I mention we are potty training?) And, I don't need anyone - including me - crying over spilled milk, or juice, or whatever. So we use sippy cups. And after a day of new milestones, and a few setbacks, I like to have my own sweet drink to sip - like this refreshing watermelon cooler.

To make your own you will need:
Several slices of watermelon
4 strawberries, hulled
A few fresh sprigs of mint
Juice from 1/2 a lime, more for garnish

Place the lime juice in the collection container of a juicer. Add in the mint, berries, and melon to the juicer. Be sure to remove any rinds and seeds from the watermelon first. Juice ingredients completely. Stir and pour over ice. Garnish with more mint and lime. Serve immediately.

This is great (baby) poolside or even in the middle of a hectic day indoors. My kids even like it. Of course, I serve theirs in a sippy cup.

It is hot out there. Really hot. They are issuing warnings here in Memphis, which seem a bit redundant to this native of the South. I mean, it's August people. It's gonna be muggy and miserable, even if you aren't as pregnant as I am.

That doesn't mean I don't appreciate a nice refreshment to cool me off. Every good southerner knows staying hydrated in this heat is essential. That and air conditioning, and maybe a quick run through the sprinkler, and definitely some loose light clothing (think seersucker). But I digress. Sipping on something chilly will cool your core even when it is literally 99 in the shade. Sure you can resort to the usual sweet tea or bottle of your favorite brew, but let me suggest this - a watermelon cucumber cooler. It is easy to make with the fresh goodies from your CSA and will rehydrate you in no time.

You will need the following:
4 cups of watermelon, de-seeded and chopped
2 cup of cucumber, skinned and sliced
juice from 1/2 lime
1 large spring of fresh mint
1/2 cup of organic honey
2 cups of ice
cucumber slices for garnish

Puree the watermelon in blender. Pour the fruit juice into large pitcher through mesh sieve. Push fruit with wooden spatula as needed to remove all of the juice. Repeat process with the cucumber. Add in the lime juice and honey to pitcher. Stir well. Drop in the mint and ice. Let sit in fridge over night. Stir again. Serve over more ice and a few slices of cucumber.

Sip and enjoy as you cool your heels in your kid's baby pool while you fan yourself with that piece of junk mail. Hey, every little bit helps in this heat.

As you know, the carnivore and I welcomed baby omnivore in our lives a few months ago. Lucky for me, two of my good girlfriends followed right behind us with their own bouncing baby boys. Now me and the girls have get-togethers with our little guys about once a week. And since the babies can't really do much yet, the play dates are more for us than for them. We share tips and hints. We commiserate and sometimes cry. But above all we just try to get out! And whether we go to story time to get out of our own house, or we meet up to walk our strollers down the neighborhood streets to just get outside, switching things up and getting out of our routine seems to breathe fresh life into us. One afternoon recently the ladies dropped by my place, and I decided to make the mommy time even more special with a fizzy drink to help calm our frazzled nerves.

And this lime lovely couldn't be more simple. In a pitcher, place half a can of frozen limeade (6oz) along with two can of sprite zero (or the real deal if that is what you have one hand), one can of tonic water, half of a lime wedged, and a generous amount of ice cubes. Stir and serve chilled.

This drink made our drab day seem fab. It was sweet and tart. The bubbles made it even more special. I served it along side some left over fruit salad I brightened up with fresh mint still growing in my garden and left over slices of spice cake (you know, things that can be eaten with your fingers if you have your hands full with, say, a baby). In any case, it was out of the ordinary and all mothers need that from time to time.

How do you think outside of the box to make your days more special? Let me know below.

Now that baby omnivore is here I am blessed enough to be a stay at home mom. This has meant a distinct shift in my daily water cooler talk. Instead of case law and court antics, I now discuss shapes and numbers - with a four month old. We expound on opposites and explore colors. We talk about letters and sounds. It's all really important stuff. But, every now and again Mommy needs a break from the babble.

Enter my watermelon wonder-drink. This little concoction can pick me up any afternoon after a full morning of the demands of motherhood. Simple to make, and sweet to sip. It is sensational.

Start with 1 cup of ice cubes. Place them in the blender with 1 cup of cubed seedless watermelon. Add in half a cup of orange juice. Squeeze in half of a lime. Blend thoroughly. Top with a fresh sprig of mint. Sit somewhere quite and enjoy...at least until baby is ready for another gab session.

The carnivore doesn't usually bring me flowers for things like my birthday or our anniversary. More often than not I get flowers just because. For example, he sent me a bright bouquet while he was in Vegas. It was sweeter because it was unexpected. And the other night when I sent him to the store for green beans and dishwashing liquid, it was wonderful that he brought home two dozen roses too. Not that I am not all about making a big deal about big days, but it is nice to occasionally get something special when there is no occasion calling for it.

The same goes for cocktails. I like to make a fruity flirty concoction every now and again just because. It can make a Friday night at home with leftovers feel a bit like a date night (especially if you can get baby to take a nap while you enjoy it together). And, while this drink might not be very manly, my carnivore enjoyed it all the same. It combines wonderful summer flavors in a fizzy swirl.

To make this drink start with a few bruised leaves of either mint or basil (depending on your taste and your adventure level). Place them in the bottom of a glass with a shot (or two) of rum (depending on your taste and tolerance level). Next slice four strawberries and half of a peeled orange. Stir this fruit together in a small bowl with 1 tsp of sugar and let it soak together for about two minutes. Add some of the fruit mixture to each glass. Top with several cubes of ice. Then pour 1/2 a can of sprite zero over each. I like to leave in a long spoon so I can scoop up the rum soaked fruit at the end. Finally, sip and savor this special drink for no special reason at all.

(FYI - you can easily leave out the rum in this drink and make a pretty pregatini too.)

So, as you may know the carnivore and I are experiencing an abundance of basil. We have made our own pesto and have put it in every Italian dish imaginable. But, what does that green herb have to do with this pink drink? Well, in short, I was looking for more ways to use up the basil. I kept coming across recipes for watermelon and basil drinks. I do love watermelon cocktails, so I was intrigued. Let me explain...



I didn't see a recipe anywhere for this exact cocktail, but here is what I decided to make - watermelon and basil infused lemonade. I started with a frozen lemonade mix which I made according to the package. I then sliced several chunks of watermelon which I stirred in along side a few basil leaves. I then let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour. And, I have to say it was tart and yummy. I then made it a little more adult by adding a shot of vodka to each tall glass. Again, outstanding.

But, what about that pink drink? Well, after having this luscious lemonade cocktail for a few days, I decided I wanted something even cooler. So, I removed the basil leaves and poured the remaining lemonade and watermelon into a blender with several ice cubes and a few more shots of vodka. I blended it till pretty and pink. Probably a little too cute for the carnivore, but I loved it. It was a wonderful twist on pink lemonade.

So, whether you have a special glass of lemonade, a more adult version of the same thing, or a icy pink lemonade cocktail you can't go wrong!

It is hot here in Memphis. It always is this time of year. I don't mind it nearly as much as the carnivore does. I like to sit on my porch even when it is in the 90s...as long as I have a nice cool beverage in hand. This is my latest concoction.

First, let me say a little about how it came about. The other day I made a fruit salad to take to my best friend's baby shower. As I was about to toss the juice from the pineapple (I'm all about fresh fruit, but I am not about to slice open a pineapple myself) but I stopped. I remembered this amazing pineapple water I had at a Mexican place last week. I wasn't sure if I could recreate it, but I knew I couldn't toss the juice. So I put it in the fridge, along with the left over juice from the mandarin oranges.

So the next day when I was ready to sit on the porch and do some work on the computer while the carnivore did some work in the yard, I decided it was time to do something with those juices. At the carnivores suggestion, I made it an adult beverage.

I combined the pineapple juice and the mandarin orange juice (about 1 cup total) with several ice cubes and three shots of rum and blended them until smooth. (No rum needed if you are making a pregatini.) I topped each glass (because this recipe makes several glasses) with a squeeze of fresh lime. The lime is key here. Trust me on this one.

It was a like glass of a tropical paradise right on my front porch. Plus, I made it from the juices I would have normally just thrown out! You can't beat this drink in this economy - or this heat.

It is that time of year again when watermelons are in season. They are a staple of summer and backyard cookouts. I remember when I was a kid my dad would have all of his girls and whatever cousins happened to be over at any given time compete in a watermelon eating contest at holiday weekend cookouts. It wasn't about how much you could eat, but about how fast you could finish your slice with you hands behind your back. We all ended up sticky, smiling, and licking our lips

So, to harken back to those innocent summer days, I thought on this Memorial Day I would share with you a mouthwatering watermelon cocktail that is decidedly more adult, but will leave you smiling and licking your lips (and maybe a little sticky as well).

I received this recipe from an email from Hungry Girl. I would suggest at least doubling the recipe as this only makes one (big) drink. And if you are like me, your manly hubby will be begging for one of your pink and fruity girly drinks once he has one (big) sip. Or, if you are making it for a party, I would suggest making a huge batch as they will go fast! Also, it is easier to make if you buy a seedless watermelon from the start. We found an small one at our local farmers market, along with the limes, all for under three bucks! Plus, the mint came from my new herb garden.

For one cocktail you need the following:
3/4 cup of watermelon chunks, seeds removed
1 shot of rum (as big as you like)
1 lime
3-4 mint sprigs
2 splendas
5-7 ice cubes

To make the world's most refreshing and addictive watermelon cocktail, start by slicing your lime in half. Cut one half into wedges and place them in a cocktail shaker. Squeeze the juice from the other half. Add in the mint and the splendas (or sugar if you prefer and don't care about counting calories). Bruise with a muddler or an ice tea spoon. Shake and set aside. In a blender combine the watermelon chunks, ice, and rum in your blender. Once your are finished, pout the lime mixture into a large glass and top with the watermelon blend. Stir and enjoy!

I promise you will not be disappointed. This drink is super refreshing on a warm summer night. You could even leave out the rum and make a "pregatini" if you can't have alcohol right now. It would still be mouthwatering. Either way, happy Memorial Day!