Monthly Archives: July 2015

Mocha Shake

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I am a fan of coffee and chocolate. This is just perfect for me !

Makes 2 servings

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 ice cubes
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in blender.  Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  Enjoy!

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Nutella Banana Muffins

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Making banana muffins is a perfect way to use up your brown bananas.  Adding Nutella to the recipe makes them extra yummy !   

Makes about 15 muffins

  • 3 large, ripe bananas
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup Nutella spread
    1. Preheat oven to 350°F
    2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside
    3. Peel and mash bananas, set aside
    4. Using an electric mixer, fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy
    5. Add eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla, mix well
    6. Add flour mixture in 2-3 portions, mix until well blended
    7. Line muffin tins with slightly greased paper muffin cups
    8. Fill muffin cups with batter to about 2/3 full
    9. Spoon 1 teaspoon of Nutella spread in the middle of each muffin, swirl around gently with a toothpick
    10. Bake for about 22 minutes, rotate muffin tray halfway through
    11. Let cool on muffin tray for 5 minutes, then transfer them on wire racks until completely cooled

To check if muffins are done, put a toothpick in the centres of the muffins, if it comes out clear, they are ready.

Homemade Berry Sorbet (without ice cream maker)

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I have been using my blender a lot this summer, making juices, smoothies, popsicles, etc. Here is another great summer treat we can do at home, even if you don’t have an ice cream maker !

Makes about 4 cups of sorbet

  • 32 oz (4 cups) of fresh or frozen berries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  1. Dissolve sugar in water over low heat to make simple syrup, set aside to cool
  2. Blend berries, 1 cup of simple syrup, and lemon juice together
  3. Press puree through strainer to remove skins and seeds
  4. Add about 2 tablespoons more of syrup if needed, mixture should taste slightly sweeter than you would like as a juice
  5. Pour on a baking sheet or a shallow pan
  6. Cover and freeze until frozen (at least four hours or overnight)
  7. Remove from freezer, break the frozen mixture into chunks and blend again until smooth
  8. Serve right away or put in an airtight container and return to freezer until serve

Use fresh fruits if available, it tastes better. I use a hand blender and a large mixing bowl when blending the frozen mixture, it’s easier than using the tall blender.

Watermelon Popsicles

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One thing I love about summer is the variety of fruits. Watermelon is one of our favourites. These popsicles are super easy to make and is much healthier than those artificial freezies. 

Makes about 4 popsicles

  • 400 g watermelon, cut in pieces
  • 2 tablespoons honey to sweeten if needed

Blend them together and freeze for about 4 hours

Mug Cake

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This is definitely the easiest (and laziest) cake recipe I have ever made! It may not be as soft as a regular sponge cake, but it’s equally tasty. I have made a basic and a chocolate cake.

Makes 2 to 3 mug cakes 

For basic cake

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus some for coating mugs
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 60 mL milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  1. Place butter in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds until melted
  2. Coat inside of  mugs with melted butter
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract and egg until blended (butter may still be warm, add egg at the end to prevent curdling)
  4. Add flour and salt, whisk until smooth
  5. Pour into mugs, no more than half full
  6. Microwave for about 90 seconds 
  7. Let cool for a few minutes, serve warm.
  8. You can top with icing, whipped cream or fruits after completely cooled

For chocolate cake

  • Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to batter. Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup!

Cooking time may vary depending on microwaves and size of mugs.  

Very Berry Popsicles

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This is a great cool treat on hot summer days ! My kids love them ! 

Makes about 6 servings

  • 1 cup vanilla flavour yoghurt
  • 200 g fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries… or a mix of all of them !)
  • 2-3 tablespoons honey to sweeten if needed

Blend ingredients together and pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups. Insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for about 4 hours or until frozen

Thumbprint Cookies

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This is really easy and kids can choose their favourite fillings ! 

Makes about 24

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1+1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Fruit jams or fillings of your choice
  1. Preheat oven to 325 ºF
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside
  3. In an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
  4. Add egg and vanilla, mix well
  5. Add flour mixture in 2 to 3 portions, mix well, scraping sides of bowl
  6. Roll dough into small balls, about 2 teaspoons each, and place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, 2 inches apart
  7. Gently crate an indentation in the middle of balls with thumb or end of a wooden spoon
  8. Bake for about 10 minutes, remove from oven, crate centres again
  9. Return cookies to oven and bake for another 8 minutes or until golden
  10. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes and then on rack until completely cooled
  11. Fill centres with fruit jam or spread of your choice (Nutella, peanut butter, etc.)