Delicious Home Made Iced Coffee

For those coffee loving, Starbucks addicted, caffeine addicts... this recipe is for you (and me!) First of all, it is super easy. Second, it will save you money. Lastly, it is delicious!

I first saw the recipe on Pinterest. I will have to look for the link again. Oddly enough, this process was just on the Pioneer Woman's cooking show this past Saturday. Slightly different than how I did it but I am sure it is just as good.

Here's what you need for the coffee concentrate:
1 Pound Ground Coffee of your Choice (I used Starbucks Dark Espresso Roast)
1 gallon water
1 large Bowl
Coffee Filters or cheese cloth

1) Dump the pound of ground coffee into the large bowl.

2) Pour the full gallon of water into the bowl with the coffee ground and give it a little stir just to make sure all of the coffee is saturated.
3) Cover and let sit 12-24 hours

4) When the "brewing" time is up, grab a pitcher or something you can straing the coffee concentrate into.

5) Place the coffee filter or cheese cloth in a fine mesh strainer and slowly pour or laddle coffee into the the filters.

It sounds like a long process but it really isn't. The straining only took me about 20-30 minutes. It made approx 3/4 of a gallon. It will last a month in your refrigerator.

I tried out a couple "recipes" for the iced coffee.

First one:

6oz coffee concentrate

2 oz milk

2tbsp chocolate syrup

2tbsp sweetened condensed milk

ice

I blended this one in the blender. I need to tweak the ice vs liquid ratio to make it a little thicker but it tasted great

Secondly:

4oz coffee concentrate

3oz milk

2oz hazelnut coffee creamer

ice

I didn't blend this one, Just stirred it with a spoon.

I love this recipe because it gives you the opportunity to cut down on the calories by using fat free milk and fat free coffee creamer or sugar free coffee creamer. You can also save a lot of money. The average Grande sized Starbucks drink is about $4.35. I figured the cost of my supplies for the coffee concentrate, sweetended condensed milk, and coffee filters(I didn't even use the whole package. just a few of them) and it came out to about $16. This recipe made about 96 ounces of concentrate. You will use 4-6 ounces of concentrate per serving. That's 16 servings if using 6 ounces and 24 servings if you use 4 ounces. You're looking about about $1.00-$2.00 per serving once you include the added milk, coffee creamer, chocolate syrup or whatever else you use. Not bad!

It also saves you from using the gas money to get to starbucks, plus the time. And if you're feeling lazy... you have iced coffee right at your fingertips all summer!

Summertime Smoothie Series: Sunrise Smoothie

I found this particular smotthie quite refreshing.

Sunrise Smoothie:

8oz Orange Juice

1 C Strawberries

1/2 C Raspberries

1/4 C Peaches

1/2 C Pineapple

I used frozen fruit and it got to be a bit thick so I added a few tablespoons of water. For added nutrients and to get in a serving of vegetables, I added 1 C fresh Spinach and 1 heaping tablespoon of grated carrots. I also added 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder since this was my post workout treat. Enjoy!

Summertime Smoothie Series: Pumpkin Pie

I've noticed my recipes have been a bit ordinary so I thought I would experiment a little. This one may need some tweaking to suit your taste but I thought it turned out pretty good.

Who says Pumpkin Pie should only be around during the holidays? It is my favorite pie so why not give it a whirl?

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie:
8 Tbsp Canned Pumpkin*
1 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice**
2 Tsp Sugar
8oz Milk
Ice
* If you use "Canned Pumpkin Pie Filling" you can omit the Pumpkin Pie Spice
** If you don't have "Pumpkin Pie Spice" you can mix a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, all spice for a similar taste.

This recipe isn't perfected yet but it is definitely a good start.

Summertime Smoothie Series: Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Banana

Oh YES!

I kind of feel like this recipe is an oldie but a goodie. I've never had a Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich and I don't know if I ever will but the combination works within the smoothie realm.

If the three ingredients together make you cringe a little, adjust it to your liking. Do Chocolate /Peanut Butter or Chocolate /Banana or  Peanut Butter/Banana.

Chocolate/Peanut Butter/Banana:

1 Tbsp Peanut Butter

1 Ripe Banana

8oz Dark Chocolate Almond Milk (or us regular milk)

**or you can use chocolate syrup or chocolate protein powder to achieve the chocolate flavor**

Ice

Drink up!

Summertime Smoothie Series: Strawberry Banana

Sometimes keeping it simple is the best thing to do. This one is a tried and true recipe. Easy. Delicious.

Strawberry Banana:

3/4C Strawberries

1 Ripe Banana

1/2 tsp sugar (if the strawberries aren't quite ripe)
8oz Fat Free Milk (or water)
Ice

Next time I may add 4 oz of yogurt or some protein powder to make it just a little thicker.

Summertime Smoothie Series: Strawberry Lemonade

The word "Lemonade" exudes Summer. An even better version? Strawberry Lemonade.
My mouth is watering already.

1/2 Tsp lemon Zest
1 Tsp Lemon Juice
8 oz Lemon Yogurt (Fat Free)
3/4 C Strawberries
6 oz Water (or fat free milk)
Ice

Garnish with a whole strawberry and bendy straw and enjoy out on the front porch while watching the kiddles swim.

Summer Smoothie Series: Berry Bliss!

Antioxidants anyone? This smoothie full of them! And delicious to boot.

Berry Bliss Smoothie:

1/3 C Blueberries
1/4 C Raspberries
1/3 C Blackberries
1/2 C Strawberries
1/3 C Cooked Oatmeal
1/4 C Fat Free Milk
1/4 C Water
Ice, If needed.

Blend until smoothie and enjoy! Add a scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder for an added boost of protein or a handful of fresh spinach to get in a serving of vegetable. You won't be able to taste the spinach. (psssstttt neither will the kids!).

Summer Smoothie Series: Breakfast Tropical Fruit Smoothie

To get this series kicked off, i thought I would go ahead and post a recipe today.

I think the following one of my favorite fruit combinations. Very summery and tropical. Calgon take me away...

1/2 C Frozen or Fresh Peaches
1/2 of a large Banana (or a full small one)
1/3 C Pineapple Chunks
1/3 C Fresh or Frozen Mango
4 oz   Orange Juice
4oz Water (or fat free milk)
Ice (if you're not using frozen fruit)

Possible additions: 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, Peeled/Sliced Cucumber, Shredded Carrots, 1/2 C Yogurt

Toss all of the ingredients into the blender and blend for approx 35-45 seconds, longer if needed.

New! Summer Smoothie Series

It's hot. Not just warm. Hot. Like step out of the shower and instantly start sweating hot. I'm not a fan.
With the heat climbing every so far, it has given me even less motivation to work out or cook or do... well, anything.

I have been trying to think of meals/snacks that are quick, easy,cool and budget friendly. What is more refreshing that a nice cold smoothie? So this summer I will be posting a new smoothie recipe every Sunday.  They will be healthy smoothies, not full of ice cream or frozen yogurt and added sugars.

I took some time at the grocery store to compare fresh vs. frozen fruits. Of course, you want to buy fresh when you can but I think we all want to find the balance so you don't break the bank. At my local grocery store I compared the following prices:
Blueberries: 6oz fresh- $2.99, 16oz Frozen- $3.99
Raspberries: 6oz Fresh- $3.99, 12oz Frosen- $2.99
Blackberries: 12oz Freh- $5, 16oz Frozen- $2.99
Strawberries: 4lbs Fresh- $5, $16oz Frozen- $3.99
Mango: 1 Piece fruit-  $1, 12oz Frozen- $2.99
Peaches: 8oz Can -$1.99, 16oz Frozen- $2.99
Pineapple: 8oz Can- $1.49, 12 oz Frozen-$2.99

One of these days I want to get out to our local Farmer's Market. Maybe I can find even better deals there. There are a lot of items I didn't list like apples, orange juice, vanilla protein powder, carrots etc because I already have those on hand.

Smoothies are great for the kiddles too! They are fruity, filling and cold. It also gets them those added servings of fruits and vegetables that can be a struggle for some parents. What kid wouldn't want a milkshake looking drink with a bendy straw when it is 100+ degrees outside? Plus, the combinations are virtually endless and each recipe usually makes a decent quantity. I am hoping to experiment a little by adding some vegetables, cooked oatmeal, protein powder and flaxseed meal etc to some of the smoothies for added nutrients. I am pretty stoked about this series. I hope you are too!!