FOOD: Fresh Blackberry Mint Lemonade

Hi Made By Girl readers!  I feel Summer calling my name, don't you? This is Jen from Pretty Eats with a gorgeous and refreshing Summer drink to sip on, Fresh Blackberry Mint Lemonade. The combination of mint, blackberry, and fresh lemons just says pure Sunshine to me. I love the simplicity of freshly made lemonade, something so simple yet lovely that you can whip up in just a few minutes. If you're feeling festive, go ahead and add a splash of vodka to serve up quick cocktails for the ladies! Either way you pour it, you'll love this fresh variation on lemonade. Cheers!



Fresh Blackberry Mint Lemonade

Ingredients: serves 2

• 4 Meyer lemons, cut in half, reserve a few slices for garnish
• 1/2 c fresh blackberries
• 4 sprigs fresh mint
• 2 tbsp sugar
• Sparkling mineral water, 1 pint

Directions:

• Mint ice cubes: Wash mint sprigs and break into small pieces. Fill ice cube tray with
mint and fill halfway with water. Wait until frozen to add remaining water and freeze
completely.
• Juice lemons and pour through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and pulp.
• In a pitcher, combine juice and sugar. Pour in 1 cup of mineral water and mix together
until sugar is dissolved. You may have to adjust sugar according to the tartness of the
lemons.
• Prepare your glasses by placing 2 mint ice cubes and 1/2 c juice mixture in each glass.
Fill with sparkling mineral water (1 cup, depending on glass size). Garnish with fresh
blackberries, lemon slices, and additional mint sprigs. Enjoy!

-images & post by jen olson

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FOOD: The Best Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows

Welcome Made By Girl readers! Jen from Pretty Eats sharing a sweet treat for the Holiday season. I've always been a fan, but this cocoa recipe will make it hard for you to say no to a second cup! Doubling up the chocolate is what takes this to the next level of decadence. The bonus? This cocoa recipe can be made vegan by simply using your favorite non-dairy milk and high quality vegan chocolate bar! To make this cozy treat special for the holidays, I've topped my mugs with peppermint and chocolate marshmallow snowflakes (easy recipe included below). Elegant, festive, and delicious, enjoy!

The Best Hot Cocoa Ingredients: makes 2 cups

• 2 1/2 c milk
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
 • 1/4 c sugar
• 1/4 c dark chocolate bar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of sea salt

Directions:
• In a sauce pan, heat milk over medium-low heat.
• When milk is warm, gently whisk in cocoa, chocolate, sugar, and salt.
• When combined, remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
• Serve up in mugs and serve with marshmallows on top!

Homemade Marshmallows Ingredients: makes 10 2" marshmallows
 • 3/4 c sugar
• 1/3 c corn syrup
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 c water
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 c dark chocolate bar, shaved finely
• 2 candy canes, crushed
• 1/4 c white sugar

Directions:
• Spray a 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper and spray again.
• In a kitchen mixer, combine 1/4 c water with gelatin. Allow to sit and soften for 5 minutes.
• In a saucepan, heat 1/4 c water, sugar, corn syrup, and salt to a boil. Stirring a bit, heat mixture to 238 F on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
• Slowly pour sugar mixture into gelatin mixture, with the mixer on low.
• Raise speed to high, gradually, and mix until mixture has doubled in size (8 minutes or so). Add vanilla, and mix for 1 more minute.
• Pour mixture into baking dish and allow to sit until cool, at least 4 hours.
• When cooled, spray cookie cutters with cooking spray and cut as many marshmallows as you can.
 • Top marshmallows with whatever coatings you'd like, candy canes, chocolate, or sugar. Moisten with a damp paper towel before dipping in toppings, to insure they stick well.
• Store in an airtight container for up to one week

-images and post by jen olson

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FOOD: Autumn Cider Cocktails

Welcome Made By Girl readers! I'm Jen from Pretty Eats popping up with a jewel-toned
cocktail perfect for chilly nights, Cider Cocktails. Autumn's star of the season, a high quality
apple cider, elevates these drinks to a special occasion all on their own. I first take one of my
favorite Rye whiskeys, and let it sit with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices, then add it to ice
cold cider. A fun variation on this cocktail is to add sparkling cider instead! Either way you serve
it, this Autumn Cider Cocktail will bring some big Cheers!

Autumn Cider Cocktails
Ingredients: 4 cocktails
• 1 cup high quality Rye whiskey
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 3 star anise
• 3 fresh apples
• 3 cups fresh apple cider
• 4 sugar cubes, if desired

Directions:
• In a lidded jar, combine Rye, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and 1 sliced apple. Allow to sit
for 1-2 days.
• Strain Rye mixture into a clean pitcher, discarding apple slices and spices.
• Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, combine 1/2 cup spiced Rye with 1 1/2 cups cider.
Shake well / *if using sparkling cider, simply stir the cocktails, do not shake.
• Pour immediately into glasses (with a sugar cube, if desired), and enjoy!!

 

-post & photos by jen olsen

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FOOD: HEIRLOOM TOMATO SAUCY TOASTS

Hello MadeByGirl! This is Jen from Pretty Eats making Heirloom Tomato Saucy Toasts.  You stll have a chance to grab them before the Summer is completely gone. Perfection is in simplicity with this recipe, inspired by Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Life. I absolutely love the flavor-packed tahini tomato sauce which we couldn't get enough of here (actually had to make a second batch!).

If you're craving something crunchy, savory, and fresh, these tomato toasts are a must-try!

 Heirloom Tomato Saucy Toasts Ingredients: 
 • 3 tbsp tahini
 • 2 tsp jarred tomato sauce
 • 4 slices sourdough bread, toasted
 • 2-3 tomato slices per toast
 • 1 onion slice per toast


 Directions:  
 • Mix tahini and tomato sauce together, set aside.
 • Spread each toast with sauce. Top with tomato and onion slices.
 • Broil toasts on low for 2-3 minutes and enjoy!

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