Did Somebody Say Horchata???

 Let me just say this,


"I LOVE Mexican food!"


 It's all my mother's fault! She exposed me to it at a very young age. As a result, I convulsively search for great Mexican recipes that need to be shared! Today's special recipe is Horchata!  Horchata is a rice-based beverage. There are actually many different ways to make it, from Rum to Hibiscus  flavored! Today, I'm going to keep it simple! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain white rice
• 2 cups skinless almonds
• 1-inch piece cinnamon bark
• 1 cup milk
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Ice cubes

Directions

     Wash and drain the rice. Using a spice grinder (an electric coffee grinder works well too), grind the rice until fine. Add almonds and cinnamon bark. Grind. Pour into a bowl, then  add 3 1/2 cups of hot water and let sit overnight, covered. Add milk, then blend rice mixture until smooth using a blender. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and continue blending. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Strain Horchata into a bowl first using a very fine metal strainer (or a cheese cloth if you have one). Finish with up to an additional 2 cups of water until it achieves a milky consistency. Enjoy over ice! 

Red Bull Smoothie- Just What the Doctor Ordered

Okay, so I just found a new recipe that could be just what the doctor ordered (if doctors actually recommended that you drink Red Bull )! It is healthy, full of fruits, full of energy and 100% delicious! 



Red Bull Smoothie:


1/2 can (8.3 fl oz) Sugar Free Red Bull energy drink
4 fresh strawberries (sliced)
1 banana (sliced into smaller pieces and frozen)
1 mango (sliced into smaller pieces)
1 cup orange juice or fruit juice of your choice (a little lemon juice might be nice)
 *Add ice cubes if needed
Put all the ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth, serve immediately for best taste!

Mango Upside down Cake Recipe

Mango Upside down cake is probably one of my favorite desserts! It is quick, cheap and easy to make! If you don't like mangoes, this can still be a delightful dessert for you! Once cooked, mangoes develop a more buttery taste and a softer texture. If you like to bake, I encourage you to try this one out with your loved ones! 

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice
• 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 or more ripe mangoes (according to taste)

For Cake:

1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix

• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

Directions :

1. Heat oven to 350º F. Grease a 10-by-10-inch baking pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined.
3. Pour the melted butter and lemon/lime juice into the bottom of the prepared pan and sprinkle evenly with the brown sugar. Spread the mangoes evenly over the sugar, then pour the batter over the mangoes. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Unmold onto a serving dish with a lip (to contain the juices).

* If I have extra Mango left over, I like to finely chop the mango and mix it with a little brown sugar. Then I stir the mixture into the batter so that the cake will have more flavor and moisture!