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Green Veggie Smoothie


Isn't that gorgeous?  I finally got my green, green smoothie.  I used my blender rather than my food processor and it blended better and I didn't have spinach chunks. 

The kids were a little grossed out by this. I admit, it was odd for me too at first as we have always made fruit smoothies with maybe a tiny bit of veggies.  It tasted just like celery and cucumbers.  But sweet!  I loved it and have made it several times.

I used a new sweetener.  NuStevia sent me an amazing package of sweeteners to try out. I had never tried stevia so I was curious and excited. I used 2 packets of NuStevia with these smoothies and it was perfect.  Quite sweet but delicious. I've also used some of the other kinds for sauces and oatmeal.  A drop or two of the vanilla NuStevia liquid is awesome in oatmeal. 



Green Veggie Smoothie Recipe
Adapted from Meatless Meals

2 - 3 handfulls of spinach
1 green apple, cored
1/2 cucumber
2 celery stalks
1 - 2 tablespoons of stevia powder (I used 2 packets)
1 tbsp. agave nectar
3/4 cup water
2 cups of ice

Stuff the spinach into the blender.  Pour the water in and grind the spinach a little.  Add the apple, cucumber and celery.  Add the stevia, agave nectar and ice.  Grind it all up until the desired slushy consistency is reached.

One Year Ago...













Chunky Meaty Chili

This is linked with:
$5 Dinner Challenge at $5 Dinners
Made from Scratch at Living with Food Allergies and Celiac
My Meatless Mondays at My Sweet and Savory
Just Another Meatless Monday at Hey, What's for Dinner Mom?
Made for you Monday at Skip to My Lou

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Menu Plan Monday ~ April 30 - May 6, 2012



Monday: Cabbage Kidney Bean Casserole

Tuesday: Chicken tenders & Smokey Tomato Risotto

Wednesday: Hamburgers & Roasted Mustard Potatoes

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Sweet Potato & Spinach Casserole

Saturday: Huevos Rancheros

Sunday: Pineapple Meatballs

Dessert:  Strawberry Coconut Breakfast Bars

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More menu planning ideas at I'm an Organizing Junkie and Gluten Free Menu Swap at Angela's Kitchen.

One Year Ago....









Spaghetti Squash with Garlic Alfredo and Bacon



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Muddy Buddy Ritz Peanut Butter Trifles


Woohoo!  The summer party picnics have started!  We had the first congregation party this year.  We met at a park for a fish fry.  I'm not really a fish person but the truth is, I haven't really eaten it since I was a kid.  I tried it and after I got over the fact that I was actually eating fish; I loved it.  Bad news was it was cold and rainy but hanging out with friends made it totally worth freezing our fingers off. 

Of course I had to bring something and I've learned that finger food goes over really well. Chocolate finger food, even better.  I found these Muddy Buddies on Lisa's blog right before the party and I knew they would be perfect.  I made two batches of these and everyone loved them!  I'm not sure if I would recommend them on a hot sunny day picnic but since it was super chili, they stayed perfect.  They tasted just like Reeses peanut butter cups. 

I totally forgot to take pictures before we left for the picnic so I snapped a quick one at the picnic. As you can see, just minutes after putting them down, a couple disappeared. I had twice this many and could have made more. 



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Muddy Buddy Ritz Peanut Butter Trifle Recipe
Adapted from Sweet as Sugar Cookies

1/2 c. butter or margarine, melted
1 c. Ritz cracker crumbs
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 c. peanut butter
powdered sugar (to coat)

In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, ritz cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls and chill in the fridge for 30-60 min.

Put some powdered sugar into a bowl. Melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter in the microwave or a double boiler. Stir together to combine. Dip the balls in the chocolate-peanut butter mixture and drop them in the powdered sugar to coat (it's easiest if you just sort of shake the bowl to move the truffle around). Put the truffle in your hand and shake off the excess sugar. Let sit on some waxed paper to let the chocolate set.

One Year Ago...











Summer Squash, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

These are linked with:
Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou
Ultimate Recipe Swap: Party Food at Life as Mom

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Cafe Chokolade, Egmore, Chennai

Last week, when a friend and i were in Egmore, finishing up some errands, we were tired hungry and thirsty, and the 1st place that came into our horizon was Cafe Chokolade, and since we hadnt been here before, we walked in. 

I guess they were having their daily powercut, as the AC was off, and a fan was keeping the place cool.  Aside from 2 other guys, the place was abandoned. We sat ourselves in the sofa, and that is when i spotted the black plastic bag with JENGA. I promptly began stacking up the wooden blocks while my friend was glancing through the menu card. There was just way too much chocolate there, and lost for choice, we asked the man behind the counter to recommend something cool and refreshing.

When we asked him if they had hot chocolate or something similar, he replied in negative saying they had thick shakes. 

Ok... my next question was do you have something simple and light, he again replied in negative saying "no, you cant drink any of our shakes, you need to eat them". I was tempted to try one of the dry fruit shakes, but my thoughts were interrupted when

He went to ask - "Is this your first time here?" 

We replied in affirmative

He then continued saying "you should have the Chokolade B", its the best, made with chocolate, and topped with chocolate pieces, it is thick and really good. We have our own factory, where the chocolate and other bases are made he went on.....

Unsure, we went with his recommendation and ordered a Chokolade B... 

Within seconds, our token number flashed on the little window at the end of the hall, and i picked up our drink, that looked quite sinful. Alas, that was it... The chocolate shavings and pieces were just creamy, and so was the shake.. It was missing any kind of flavour... My friend and I dint have the heart to waste it, but couldnt finish the drink and walked out quite unsatisfied and disappointed.... 

I must confess- I am not a chocolate person, and even if someone wants to lure me with chocolate, they better be talking about Dark chocolate.  But i do know taste, and have had quite a few chocolate based desserts and drinks before....

Well, i shall not strike off this place completely, shall visit once more and then decide! 

Ambiance: 6/10
Food: 3/10
Service: Self Service
Overall: 3/10

Address:
Mr Vivek(Proprietor)
Ph: 044-42126461
Website:www.cafechokolade.com 
No 10/1a3,
Montieth Road,
Egmore,
Chennai - 600008
Directions: It is 2 doors from Cake walk, adj to Alsa Mall..
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