Conquito

We went to my lovely boyfriends family house for Thanksgiving. His step mom is Puerto Rican so for the holiday festivities instead of making the usual sangria, or punch she makes conquito. If you like pina colodas you will love this, its not even as much of a coconut flavor.

Conquito

2- 15oz can cream coconut
2- 14oz can condensed milk
6oz white rum (or coconut rum)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp coconut (vanilla) extract

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a blender
2. Put in sealable containers
2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and serve chilled

~Enjoy~

His step mom put raisins in the mix as well to add some flavor and retain some of the alcoholics flavor

Toasted Cider

Courtesy of Sandra Lee, from Sandra's money saving tips

Toasted Cider

Ingredients

1 gallon apple cider
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
24 ounces spiced rum, if desired (for the grown-ups)

Directions

Heat the cider in a large pot over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Add 3 strips of orange zest, the orange juice, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice and stir. Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to low to keep it hot, but not simmering. Heat for 5 minutes to allow all of the flavors to meld together before serving.
Serve hot in heatproof mugs with a shot of spiced rum, if desired

I cant wait to try this for the holiday season.

Slushies

Here's a drink recipe I cant believe its taken me this long to put up.
Ever since I can remember going to our lake house with our family friends, Cindy would bring this slushie mix (that was NOT kid friendly). I didn't get my first taste of this slushie until this past summer. It was worth the wait! It is really refreshing!

Cindy's Slushie

1 (12 oz) can concentrated orange juice
1 (6 oz) can concentrated lemonade
1 cup tea (made with 3 tea bags)
1/2 cup sugar
7 cups water
2 cup Seagram's

Put all ingredients in large resealable container and place in freezer. Let sit for at least 48 hours in the freezer. Stir occasionally (2-3 times a day). Fill tall glass 1/2 to 3/4 full of slush, then fill up with 7-up (or sprite). Stir and drink.
~Enjoy~

Its incredibly easy to make, and its a hit with everyone. Just make sure you get a big enough container to hold is all. I have tried to make it in a large bowl and separate it into to seal-able containers, but that didn't work too well. Somehow all the ingredients didn't separate equally.
I got my container i use now from bed bath and beyond and it works wonderfully

Drinking in good company

So not only am I the food junkie. I also make some mean drinks (and not the kid-friendly kind). Usually I try to follow recipes I have, but other times its just "lets throw this, this and that looks good" into a cup. Sometime a good idea, sometimes....not so much.

I have an amazing recipe for Sangria...yes I know what your thinking: "sangria=Spanish, and she's the 'Irish chef' ". Well here's a little background for you. Yes I am Irish (through daddy's side), I am also 1/4 Peruvian (Grandpa on mom's side) and there is a hint of Cherokee Indian tossed in for fun.
Now both sets of grandparents split up. Grandpa from mom remarried a Cuban woman, hence the sangria. (And a bunch of other yumm-o recipes; which are to come)

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A quick side track: Now let me just clear something up real quick. Yes I am a food network junkie, but Rachel Ray is "ok", "sub standard" her little phrase Yumm-o" was stolen. Clarification: "Yumm-o" is from ICE AGE, and quote Sid, the sloth, "Oh yumm-o a dandelion!"

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Sangria

4 peaches
2 pears
1 lg apple
1 gal red wine
1/2 L orange soda
1/2 L lemon lime soda
1/4 L coca-cola
1/3 cup sugar
dash of cinnamon

Dice the fruit and put in large punch bowl. Add 1/2 the wine (or to just cover the fruit) to marinate, leave for 1/2 - 1 hour. Pour the rest of the liquids, sugar and cinnamon.