Brownie Shortcake with Berries

This is a quick and simple dessert, topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries.

Ingredients:
1 (19.5 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups cut strawberries and blueberries, mixed, not each, 1 1/2 cups of each

Whipped Cream
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare brownie batter as directed on package; stir in 1/2 cup of sour cream. Spoon into greased and floured 9 inch round cake pan.
2. Bake 45 minutes; cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, cool completely.
3. Make your whipped cream by adding the heavy cream to a mixing bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks are about to form, then add the vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure to not over-beat because the cream may become butter like or lumpy.
4. Add remaining sour cream, sugar and vanilla to the whipped cream, stir to combine. Cut brownie horizontally in half. Place bottom half on plate; spread with half of the whipped cream mixture. Cover with top of the brownie, spread remaining whipped cream mixture and top with the mixed berries. Store in the refrigerator.

This is a wonderful dessert and nice alternative to the traditional shortcake dessert. The chocolate brownie pairs so nicely with the fresh fruit. I made and brought this over to a friends house for dinner and they loved it, I got rave reviews. This is a simple and quick dessert, I used the brownie mix for convenience, but you could also use your favorite brownie recipe as a substitute. Enjoy!

*Camala*

Strawberry Mango Smoothie

Two wonderfully paired fruits, Strawberries and Mangoes, layered for a FUN Smoothie!

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
2 tsp honey
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh or frozen mango, chopped
1 Tbsp honey
1/2 cup milk

Directions:

1. In a blender or food processor process the strawberries with 1/2 cup of water and 2 teaspoons of honey, process until smooth.Transfer strawberry mixture to a small bowl and rinse out the blender or food processor bowl.
2. Place the mango in the cleaned blender or food processor along with 1/2 cup of milk and 1 Tablespoon of honey, process until smooth.
3. Get your glasses ready and spoon a layer of mango puree into each glass, followed by the strawberry puree. Add the remaining mango puree to the glasses and then finish with the remaining strawberry puree. If desired you can lightly swirl the two mixtures together.

This is such a fun smoothie to drink and look at, the bright colors of the fruit layered in the glass give instant appeal to anyone, especially kids. My kids love when I make this smoothie and it has such a wonderful refreshing taste. The smooth mango paired with the strawberries is a wonderful combination. You could even serve this smoothie as a dessert after dinner, it makes for a wonderful ice cream alternative. Enjoy!

*Camala*

Berry Medley Smoothie

A Simple, Sweet and Smooth Berry Medley Smoothie.

Ingredients:
4 ounces frozen berry medley fruits (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries)
1/2 – 1 Tbsp honey
3/4 cup orange juice (preferably fresh squeezed)
1 Tbsp light cream or whole milk (optional)

Directions:

1. Put the frozen fruit, orange juice and honey into a blender. Blend until smooth, adding a little more orange juice if the mixture is too thick.
2. Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and add the cream, if desired, swirl with spoon. Optional: Top with partially thawed fruit. (1 tall glass serving).

This smoothie is simple and quick to make, the swirl of cream just adds a pretty touch. I get a little bit of cream on top of my milk so I just scoop that off and swirl it into this smoothie. This smoothie has a delicious fruity taste and being a wonderful summer smoothie, with summer fruits, it is just perfect to cool you down from a hot day!

*Camala*

Salad with Avocado and Strawberries

This Romaine and Baby Spinach Salad with Avocado, Strawberries and Turkey Bacon is so flavorful and beautiful.

Ingredients:
2 slices of turkey bacon, chopped
baby spinach
romaine lettuce
1/2 of an avocado, cubed
strawberries, sliced
feta cheese, crumbled

Directions:

1. Saute chopped turkey bacon in a pan until desired crispness, drain on paper towel.
2. Add desired amount of Romaine lettuce and Baby Spinach leaves to a bowl.
3. Add cubed avocado and sliced strawberries to greens.
4. Sprinkle on crumbled feta cheese and drained turkey bacon. Toss with desired dressing.

This salad is a beautiful salad to look at and a delicious and refreshing salad to eat. The combinations in this salad are fantastic, the saltiness and crisp texture of the turkey bacon with the sweetness of the strawberries, paired with the salty flavor of the feta cheese, then the wonderfully creamy avocado added in the mix. I didn’t add a dressing because I mixed it all together and the avocado lightly coated the greens and the juice from the strawberries made a perfect dressing for me. Enjoy this salad and make it your own!

*Camala*

Wash your Strawberries

Are you properly and thoroughly cleaning your strawberries? Is there something you may be eating without knowing it? I watched THIS and I was pretty grossed out even though I do personally very thoroughly wash my strawberries. You have got to watch the video, it is a video that describes the most common insect found on strawberries. The video also teaches the proper method of cleaning strawberries.

In addition to washing them like this video demonstrates you could also gently wipe each strawberry with a damp cloth or paper towel. This may take a bit more time but it does ensure you remove anymore dirt on the strawberry. I personally use a fruit and veggie wash on all my fruit and veggies to clean them and I try to buy as much fresh organic locally grown produce as I can.

This summer we joined a CSA and we will be getting all our veggies from an organic farm, which I am super excited about, it start May 1st and I can’t wait! Well, hopefully you were already properly cleaning your strawberries and if you weren’t than you were ingesting all those wonderful insects, YAY, For You, Yum, added protein=}

*Camala*

Salad with Strawberries

Sweet and Simple Salad with an added sweetness from Strawberries!

Ingredients:
choice of greens ( I used romaine and green leaf lettuce)
small handful of Strawberries, sliced
small handful of Feta Cheese, crumbled
flax seeds
dressing of choice ( I used homemade balsamic vinaigrette)

Directions:

1. Place your favorite lettuce/greens in a bowl (I used Romaine and Green Leaf Lettuce).
2. Add the sliced strawberries, feta cheese and flax seeds.
3. Drizzle with your favorite dressing. I drizzled this salad with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

This salad is so simple and a wonderful combination, the sharp salty feta cheese with the sweet juicy strawberries is a great balance. I used a balsamic vinaigrette in this salad because the balsamic vinegar’s sweetness really pairs nice with the strawberries. I am sure a nice raspberry vinegar would be great in this salad as well.

*Camala*