Smoothies… I love them and my kids love them. They truly make serving a nutritious breakfast easy! The only problem is, I tend to lack creativity in the smoothie making department. I often go for an easy strawberry/banana smoothie 99% of the time. No one really complains about it, but why continue to do the same thing over and over when there are so many different smoothie mashups out there?  It was high time my world was opened up to the wonderful world of smoothies!

My friend Deborah, from the amazing family blog Taste and Tell, saved the day for smoothie stumped parents everywhere when she developed her newest cookbook, Best 100 Smoothies for Kids. I had no idea until receiving Deb’s book that there were so many different ways to make healthy and delicious smoothies for my kids! The Best 100 Smoothies for Kids cookbook is a creative look at simple smoothies for everyday variety. No longer will we need to be drinking the same smoothies day in and day out. Now, we can enjoy smoothies like……

Read More

The post Caramel Apple Smoothie Recipe appeared first on Dine and Dish.

May your table always be full of food, friends and family, may your life be rich, and may you remember, even when times are tough, to always be thankful for the many, ever present blessings in your life. Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for each and every one of you, your friendship and your support of Dine & Dish. I hope this recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate (presented in a cup I got from my grandpa when I was just a few years old…just the sight of it makes me happy) keeps you warm on this chilly day! Enjoy!

Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Makes 6 servings

• 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
• 7 Tablespoons sugar, divided
• 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, divided
• 6 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or the seeds from 2 vanilla beans)
• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Using an electric mixer, whip cream, 1 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Chill until ready to use as topping for the hot chocolate.
2. In a separate saucepan, bring milk to simmer over medium heat
3. Add the peppermint extract and vanilla bean paste and sitr
4. Reduce heat to low and add semisweet chocolate, cocoa and remaining sugar; whisk until smooth.
5. Ladle hot chocolate into mugs. Top with previously prepared whipped cream.

The post Happy Thanksgiving {Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate} appeared first on Dine and Dish.