Summer is finally here; let’s welcome the new season with some Summer-inspired recipes!
The sudden warm weather may cause a temptation to visit your local ice-cream stand or grab a nice cold (sugary) beverage. (Can we declare Summer the season of empty calories?)
There is no need to worry; these recipes are not just delicious; they are healthy, kid-friendly, and sure to satisfy everyone at the picnic table.
- Strawberry ‘Mice’
Let’s make the most of the seasonal strawberries with these cute ‘mice.’
What you need:
-strawberries
-almonds or raisins
-mini dark chocolate chips
-mini marshmallows or mini white chocolate chips
What to do:
-remove leaves from strawberries
-cut the almonds or raisins in half. (flatten the raisin first)
-the tip of the strawberry will be the ‘nose,’ so add the cut almonds or raisins to the opposite side of the strawberry to create the mouse ‘ears.’
-take two dark chocolate chips and press them into the strawberry to make the mouse ‘eyes’.
-make a small hole at the tip of the strawberry so a mini marshmallow or white chocolate chip can fit. (this will make the mouse ‘nose’).
That’s it!
Feel free to put them in a cute cupcake liner (one Strawberry Mouse per cupcake liner) and Enjoy!
- Strawberry Lemonade
What you need:
Ingredients:
-1 quart strawberries
-1/2 cup lemon juice
-1/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 tablespoon honey
-1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions:
1. Mix the strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, honey, and ginger in a medium bowl.
2. Pour the mixture into a pitcher and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
3. Serve cold over ice and enjoy!
Enjoy!
Recipe idea from Green Princess Cookbook
- Watermelon “Cupcakes”
This recipe is my absolute favourite recipe to make with kids. First, they get so excited at the sound of “cupcakes.” Then, when I tell them we are making the cupcakes entirely of watermelon, they look at me in disbelief. It makes all the prepping mess worth it.
Watermelon is naturally sweet, so these “cupcakes” do not need any sugar!
What you need:
-1 watermelon
-round cookie-cutter
-1 can of coconut whipped cream (I used this one)
-cupcake liners
-edible sprinkles for garnish (optional)
What to do:
-slice two thick slices of watermelon (about 1 – 2 inches thick)
-use a round cookie cutter to cut out circles
-place circle pieces in cupcake liners (two to prevent dripping)
-top with coconut whipped cream
-add the edible sprinkles if desired.
Enjoy!
- Banana Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream
This recipe is excellent for people who want to chill out without all the calories from added sugar ice cream.
What you need:
-4 ripe bananas, sliced then frozen
-1/4 cup coconut milk (if you want a creamier taste)
-1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
What to do:
-once the bananas are frozen, put them and the coconut milk in a blender until smooth
-mix in the dark chocolate chips
That’s all! Keep unused portions in the freezer for up to a week.
Enjoy!
- Green Tea Ice-Cream
This recipe only requires two ingredients and is the perfect portion!
What you need:
-2 bananas, sliced, then frozen
-1.5 tsp matcha powder (I used this one)
What to do:
-blend frozen bananas until smooth
-add matcha powder and blend until just mixed
So easy. Enjoy!
- Chocolate Chip and Nut Ice-Cream!
This is my favourite ice cream to make. I typically make this in-between meals as a protein booster. It fills me up and makes me feel nice and cool. (especially after a workout!).
What you need:
-2 bananas, sliced, then frozen
-2 tbsp cocoa powder
-1/4 cup of your choice of nuts (you can use berries instead if desired)
What to do:
-blend bananas in a blender until smooth
-add in the cocoa powder and blend until just mixed
-mix in the nuts of your choice
It’s all done! Enjoy.
- Strawberry Pops!
This last recipe is excellent for younger kids. It requires little prep and almost no mess!
What you need:
-1 cup of vegan vanilla yogurt (I like to use this one)
-10 fresh strawberries (stems removed)
-1/2 of chopped nuts, coconut, and edible sprinkles
-5 small bamboo sticks
What to do:
-lay a cookie sheet down
-scoop 1 cup of yogurt into a bowl
-insert one bamboo stick into the bottom of 2 strawberries
-dip strawberries into the bowl of yogurt (repeat for remaining strawberries)
-lay each strawberry pop on the prepared cookie sheet and decorate with the nuts, coconut, and edible sprinkles
-place in freezer for at least 2 hours
Recipe idea from Barbara Beery
There you go! Enjoy.
