Super Summer Slushies!

By -




One of the tastiest ways to cool off on a hot summer day is with a slushie!  Shaved ice or Icee's are really tasty but not always conveniently located (or in the budget!).  We live in a very rural area so it takes a trip to town for those.  Though, we do have an ice cream truck that occasionally stops by - we think THAT is a real treat!  An ice cream truck in the country is a rare sighting!   

 Years ago we bought a Vita-Mix brand blender.  We've used the daylights out of it.  Smoothies, ice cream, chopped veggies, whole wheat blender pancakes, etc.  At 20 years old it's still in pretty good shape.  It is one of the best blenders on the market even now and can easily tackle pulverizing ice cubes.  I love my Vita-Mix!   

 This is the first year we've done slushies at home.  (lots of ice cream and smoothies, but no slushies!  We've been missing out!)   

 Simple directions for a Slushie:

 1 packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 C. sugar
1 quart of water
2 C. ice cubes

 Mix the Kool-Aid, sugar and water.  Place ice cube in blender, pour 1 C. of Kool-Aid mixture over ice (reserve the rest for later).  PLACE LID ON BLENDER!  (Sometime ask me why I stress this. lol )   Turn blender on high speed and blend until ice is crushed.  Pour into cups immediately as it separates quickly.

 Joy's Notes:  If your blender doesn't handle the ice cubes as well add a little more Kool-Aid and let it continue blending for a minute.   This is where my Vita-Mix wins hands down. I can mix a slushie thick enough that I have to spoon in out.  Yum!
Our ice cream truck sells a 9 oz cup of shaved ice for $1.50.    Right now I can pick up a packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid at WinCo for 10 cents.  A cup of sugar is about 30 cents.  For less than .50 cents I can make about 3 of that same sized cup of slushie at home!   A cheap sugar high!  (and my budget loves it as much as the kids do!) 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes

By -
Image
The other day I needed a dinner that I could make ahead and leave in the oven.  I combined a couple of recipes to come up with this.  It was a hit with our entire family. I like to buy full boneless pork loins at Sam's Club and then cut them into chops or leave the size we need for a roast.  The price is usually cheapest that way and I'm all about cutting our food budget.  I keep everything in this recipe on hand (aside from the French's Fried Onions) so it is something I could throw together  spur of the moment. Creamy Pork Chops and Potatoes 6-8 pork loin chops (boneless or bone-in) 6 LARGE  russet potatoes , peeled and sliced 2 10 oz. cans condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk 3/4 C. water 3 T. onion soup base (1 package of Lipton onion soup is a little over 2 T. so just use that if you'd rather not have a package open.  I buy mine in bulk so it's easier for measuring) 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/4 tsp. salt French's fried onions
Read more

Brown Rice, Broccoli and Chicken Bake

By -
Image
My family doesn't generally love brown rice.  They really enjoyed it in this dish though.  I started out to do a skillet dinner, but I took a little time to put it all in a pan and melt the cheese in the oven.  Next time I'm going to try just mixing it in and letting it melt in the skillet rather than sprinkling it on top. This was a tasty dinner and full of healthy ingredients.   My family requested it again! Brown Rice and Broccoli with Chicken 1 1/2 C. brown rice 3 1/4 C.chicken broth or water with 3 tsp. chicken boullion  Place in medium pan, bring to a boil and cook for 40 minutes.  Remove from heat. While the rice is cooking, saute the following in 1 T. of olive oil: 2 chicken breast, diced 1 C. onion, diced 1 C. mushrooms, sliced 2 C. broccoli florets (fresh or frozen is fine) When the rice is done, place it on the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan .  Spread chicken and vegetables over rice.  Drizzle a couple of tablespoons of water or chicken broth ove
Read more

Molasses Oatmeal Bread

By -
Image
Molasses Oatmeal Bread is a hearty (and heart healthy!) bread that is easy and delicious!  We love it toasted and spread with homemade jam.  So good!  Molasses adds a rich flavor and beautiful color. Molasses Oatmeal Bread 2 T. instant dry yeast (my favorite brand is SAF) 1/2 C. warm water Dissolve yeast in water and set aside In large bowl (or mixer bowl if you have one that will do bread), put: 2 C. quick rolled oats 2 T. oil 2 C. boiling water Stir and let sit about 10 minutes or until lukewarm.   Stir dissolved yeast, 1/2 C. molasses, and 4 tsp. salt into the oatmeal mixture.   Add about 3 cups of flour and mix well.  Stir in 2-3 cups more flour until you have a firm dough that you can knead.  Knead 5 minutes by hand or with mixer.  Place in a greased bowl, being sure to grease the top as well.   Cover and let rise until double.  About 45 minutes to an hour depending on how warm your room is. Punch down dough.  Divide into 2 pieces.  Grease 2 loaf pan
Read more