Iced Mocha Coffee

(The photo shown on the left, was topped with Cool Whip,
and the photo on the right, is without the whipped topping.)


Iced Mocha Coffee

8 ounces cold water

1 Tablespoon instant coffee

3 Tablespoons chocolate syrup

4 Tablespoons half-and-half cream

1 to 2 individual packets of Splenda No Calorie Sweetener

ice cubes

Cool Whip (optional ingredient)

1.)  In a large coffee cup or coffee mug, add the water and instant coffee.  (I added the ingredients to one 16-ounce coffee mug.)  Place coffee cup or mug in a microwave, and microwave until coffee is heated through.

2.)  Stir the coffee, and place cup or mug in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; to chill.

3.)  To the cup or mug, add the chocolate syrup, half-and-half cream, plus 1-2 packets of Splenda; (I used 1-1/2 packets) stir to mix.

4.)  Add ice cubes to a tall beverage glass.  Pour coffee over the ice cubes, and top it with a dollop or two of Cool Whip or Reddi Wip.

5.)  This makes: One serving (1-1/3 cups, or 11-ounces)

6.)  *Note: When making this coffee beverage, I've also used a Decaf Instant Coffee, such as Maxwell House or Folgers. The chocolate syrup I use is Hershey's Lite Chocolate Syrup, which has 50% Less Sugar, Carbs, and Calories, than regular Hershey's Chocolate Syrup.  Also, on occasions I have used 2 Tablespoons of Heavy Whipping Cream, plus 2 Tablespoons of 2% milk, instead of half-and-half cream. 

Iced Mocha Coffee | Just A Pinch Recipes

Coffee Slushie

A delicious way to enjoy your coffee.

I also posted varieties of this slushie which you can view below.

Coffee Slushie 

1/2 cup milk (I used 2% milk)

2 Tablespoons sugar (I used 2 packets of Saccharin Sweetener)

2-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee (or decaf instant coffee)

1 cup ice cubes (I used miniature size ice cubes)

1.)  In a blender, add the first 3 ingredients.

2.)  Place lid on blender, and blend on high for about 30 seconds.

3.)  Now add the ice cubes, cover, and blend on high speed until the slushie has thickened.

4.)  Pour slushie into a glass and enjoy.

5.)  Yields: About 1-3/4 cups (1 or 2 servings)

Substitution: Instead of adding water ice cubes, add coffee ice cubes, which are made with a strong coffee, (double strength) and omit adding the instant coffee all together.

Variations:

Vanilla Slushie - To make a vanilla slushie, add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the blender, before blending the ingredients together.

French Vanilla Slushie - Substitute 1/2 cup of French Vanilla liquid coffee creamer in place of the milk, and omit the sugar all together.

Hazelnut Slushie - Substitute 1/2 cup of Hazelnut liquid coffee creamer in place of the milk, and omit the sugar all together.

Tiramisu Slushie - Substitute 1/2 cup of Tiramisu liquid coffee creamer in place of the milk, and omit the sugar all together.

Note: I'm sure other flavored liquid coffee creamers would be a good substitute in place of the milk.  I just haven't tried any of the others just yet!

Brown Sugar Iced Coffee

Roxygirl at Food.com, inspired me to make this delicious tasting iced coffee, but I did modify the recipe to suit my taste.



Brown Sugar Iced Coffee

1 cup cold water

1 Tablespoon instant coffee (Maxwell House or Folgers)

1/4 cup half-and-half cream

4 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

6 large ice cubes (8-oz. of ice)

Topping: Cool Whip (or) Reddi Wip

1.)  Heat water on top the stove, then add the hot water and instant coffee to a 1-cup glass measuring cup, and stir.  (I just add the water and instant coffee to a coffee cup, and microwave it till the coffee is hot enough.)

2.)  Place measuring cup or coffee cup, in the refrigerator for at least 35 minutes, to chill the coffee.

3.)  Add the chilled coffee to a blender, along with the remaining ingredients, and blend on high until the ice cubes have dissolved into the liquid (about 30-35 seconds).

4.)  Pour iced coffee into a tall beverage glass, (enough to hold 24 ounces of coffee), and top with either Cool Whip or Reddi Wip Whipped Topping, and serve.

5.)  Yields: 1 large serving (24 ounces)

Brown Sugar Iced Coffee | Just A Pinch Recipes

Iced Coffee Frappe

Boy was this a treat!  Sydney Mike at food.com, inspired me to make this iced coffee frappe.  The original recipe states to use double strength brewed coffee, but I opt to make this with an instant coffee.




Iced Coffee Frappe 

2 Tablespoons instant coffee 

8-ounces cold water

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tablespoon chocolate syrup

2 Tablespoons granulated sugar

1 cup ice cubes (I used 16 mini ice cubes)

Reddi Wip Dairy Whipped Topping, to garnish the coffee

Additional chocolate syrup, to garnish the coffee

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1.)  Add water and instant coffee to a coffee cup.  Place coffee cup in the microwave, and microwave until coffee is heated through.

2.)  Place heated coffee in the refrigerator, to chill the coffee.  

(I found the coffee was chilled within 1 hour).

3.)  Add the chilled coffee, whipping cream, 1 Tablespoon of chocolate syrup, 2 Tablespoons of sugar, and the ice cubes into a blender; process until smooth (for about 1 minute).

4.)  Pour iced coffee into a large beverage glass (or 2 small glasses). Top the iced coffee(s) with a generous dollop of the Reddi Wip, and drizzle on a bit of chocolate syrup, and serve.

5.)  Yields: 2-1/2 cups of iced coffee frappe

6.) Note: When making this coffee, you could substitute a double strength, already brewed, chilled coffee, for the 8 ounces of "instant" chilled coffee.  Also, you can substitute 3 individual packets of Splenda, for the 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar.

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Iced Coffee Frappe | Just A Pinch Recipes

Cherry Lemonade 🍒🍋

Marg (CaymanDesigns) at Food.com, inspired me to make this Cherry Lemonade.  The maraschino cherry juice gave this lemonade a lovely shade of pink and a hint of cherry flavor. 🍒🍋



Cherry Lemonade

1-1/4 cups lemon juice, bottled or fresh

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice

4 cups cold water

crushed ice, or ice cubes

lemon slices, to garnish beverage

maraschino cherries, to garnish beverage

1.)  In a pitcher, add the lemon juice and sugar; stir to combine.

2.)  Add the cherry juice and water; stirring briskly to mix.

3.)  Add crushed ice or ice cubes to a beverage glass.

4.)  Add cherry lemonade to the glass filled with ice.

5.)  Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.

6.)  Yields: 1-1/2 quarts (48-ounces)

Cherry Lemonade | Just A Pinch Recipes

🫐 Chilled Blueberry Soup

I prepared this delectable soup one day in advance, and thoroughly enjoyed it the next day for lunch. I never thought a chilled blueberry soup could be quite refreshing!



Chilled Blueberry Soup

1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2-3/4 cups water
3 cups fresh blueberries
1 (4-inch) cinnamon stick
3 Tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
Garnish: Reddi Wip (or) Cool Whip
Garnish: fresh mint leaves (optional)

1.)  In a large 3-quart size saucepan, combine the sugar and cornstarch.  Gradually stir in the water until smooth.  Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir the mixture for 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened.

2.)  Add the blueberries and cinnamon stick, return to a boil.  After mixture comes to a boil, remove pan from the heat, and stir in 3 tablespoons of the frozen orange juice concentrate; stir until the juice had melted completely.

3.)  Place pan back on the stove, cook mixture over low heat for 10-12 minutes; stirring continuously until mixture has thickened up a bit more.

4.)  Remove pan from heat, discard the cinnamon stick, cover the pan, and set the pan aside for 30 minutes, so the mixture has time to cool down.

5.)  Strain the blueberry mixture through a fine wire mesh strainer, into a heat proof glass bowl, and using the back of a spoon to press out the berry mixture.  Be sure to scrape the berry mixture off the back side of the mesh strainer as you go along, and adding it to the bowl.  After straining the berry mixture into the bowl, I then covered the bowl with plastic wrap, and placed the bowl in the refrigerator.

6.)  Be sure to thoroughly chill the soup (covered) in the refrigerator before serving it.  (I refrigerated the soup overnight, and served it the next day.)

7.)  Garnish soup with a dollop of Cool Whip (or with Reddi Wip) and fresh mint leaves.

8.)  Yields: 3 cups, or 3 servings (1-cup each per serving)

Chilled Blueberry Soup | Just A Pinch Recipes

Venison Stroganoff

This stroganoff is made with canned tomato sauce rather than with a can of mushroom soup, which was a nice change, and still just as good!!



Venison Stroganoff 

1-1/2 lbs. venison, cut into 3/4-inch cubes

5 Tablespoons flour

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

7 Tablespoons diced onion

2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus 1/8 teaspoon of pepper

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 (4 ounce) cans sliced mushrooms, well drained

8 ounces sour cream, plus 1 Tablespoon of sour cream

extra wide egg noodles, uncooked (about 16 ounces)

dried parsley flakes, to garnish the stroganoff

1.)  Place venison in a bowl.  Add the flour, and toss to coat the cubed meat.  Once coated, add venison to the skillet, and brown according to the following directions below.

2.)  In a 10-inch skillet, over medium heat, add the vegetable oil. Cook and stir the venison until it's cooked about 3/4's of the way done; stirring often so the meat doesn't stick to the skillet.  Now add the diced onion, and continue cooking the meat until it's browned evenly.  Once the venison is browned, cover the skillet, and remove skillet from the heat.

3.)  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

4.)  In a 2-1/2 quart casserole baking dish, add the tomato sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and the Worcestershire sauce; stir to mix.

5.)  Add the cooked venison to the casserole dish; stir to coat the meat in the tomato sauce.  Cover the casserole dish; place dish in the oven, and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes, but be sure to stir the meat mixture after the first 30 minutes of cooking time.

6.)  After 60 minutes of cooking time, remove casserole from the oven, add the sliced mushrooms and the sour cream, and stir.  Cover, and place the casserole back in the oven to cook for another 30 minutes.

7.)  About 15 minutes before the meat mixture is done cooking, cook the egg noodles according to package directions.  (I cooked mine with a bit of vegetable oil, and with out any salt, for exactly 9 minutes.) Once I drained off the water, I stirred in a bit of butter, so the noodles wouldn't stick together.

8.)  Once the noodles are cooked, and the meat is cooked, add desired amount of noodles to each dinner plate, and top with the stroganoff. Sprinkle each plate with a bit of the dried parsley, and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

9.)  Yields: About 5-6 servings

Venison Stroganoff | Just A Pinch Recipes

Cherry Mocha Coffee 🍒

This is a delicious chocolate cherry coffee.  Top with Reddi Wip or Cool Whip, and a marashino cherry; which makes for a special treat.  

Cherry Mocha Coffee 

8 oz. water 
1 tsp. instant coffee 
1-1/2 teaspoons Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder
1 Tablespoon sugar 
1/4 teaspoon almond extract 
1/4 teaspoon McCormick's Imitation Cherry Extract
Reddi Wip (or) Cool Whip, to garnish coffee 
1 maraschino cherry 

1.)  In a coffee cup, heat water and coffee in the microwave until hot.  (Or heat the water and coffee on top the stove in a small saucepan.)  

2.)  Add the cocoa powder and sugar; stir well to dissolve.

3.)  Now add the extracts, and stir.

4.)  Top the coffee with desired amount of Reddi Wip or Cool Whip.

5.)  Place the cherry on top the whipped topping, and serve.

6.)  Yields: 1 serving

7.) Note: To make 12-ounces of the coffee... use 12 ounces of water, 1-1/2 teaspoons of instant coffee, 1/4 teaspoon plus an 1/8 teaspoon of almond extract, 1/4 teaspoon plus an 1/8 teaspoon cherry extract, 2-1/2 teaspoons of the special dark cocoa powder, plus 1-1/2 Tablespoons of sugar.  This is what I used to fill my glass coffee cup.

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I thought I'd also share a photo of Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa with (100% CACAO), which I usually use whenever I bake a chocolate cake, or brownies, or whenever I prepare this coffee.  It has an intense chocolate flavor which I enjoy! 

Cherry Mocha Coffee | Just A Pinch Recipes

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Chocolate Covered Cherry Coffee

Annacia at food.com, inspired me to make this coffee, but I slightly tweaked the recipe to suit my taste.



Chocolate Covered Cherry Coffee

2/3 cup of water
1-1/4 teaspoon instant coffee (*See Note)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 dark chocolate, or milk chocolate covered cherry
Reddi Wip, or Cool Whip (to garnish the coffee)

1.)  In a coffee cup; heat water and coffee in the microwave until hot. (Or heat the water and coffee on top the stove in a small saucepan.)

2.)  Add the sugar, and stir.

3.)  Now add the chocolate covered cherry; stir well to dissolve. After the chocolate has dissolved, remove the cherry from the cup.

4.)  Top the coffee with desired amount of Reddi Wip, or Cool Whip. Place the cherry on top the whipped topping, and serve.

5.)  Yields: 1 serving

6.) *Note: If using ground coffee instead of instant, use 2 teaspoons per each 2/3's cup of water in your coffee maker.  Also, I have found that not all of the chocolate from the chocolate covered cherry, dissolves completely in the hot coffee.  You may still see bits of chocolate floating in your cup.

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These were the brand of Milk Chocolate & Dark Chocolate Covered Cherries that I used when preparing this coffee beverage.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Coffee | Just A Pinch Recipes

Cindi's Oven Barbecued Chicken

I love this oven barbecued chicken, and even more so than the chicken that's been cooked on the grill.  I bake the chicken without the skin, so the barbecue sauce will adhere to the chicken.  For this recipe, you can use as many pieces of chicken as you'd like, and the desired amount of barbecue sauce as well.  Total baking time for this recipe will be: 1 hour. 

Cindi's Oven Barbecued Chicken

About 4 lbs. of chicken (6 thighs and 6 drumsticks)

salt, sprinkle on desired amount

black pepper, sprinkle on desired amount 

1 (18-oz.) bottle barbecue sauce (See *Note)

 

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1.)  Line one 14-inch pizza pan in a criss-cross pattern, with 2 layers of aluminum foil, then spray the foil-lined pan with a non-stick cooking spray.  (You can also use a baking sheet with sides to bake the chicken on it.)

2.)  Heat oven to 350 degrees.

3.)  Remove the skin and any excess fat from the chicken, and season both sides of chicken with a bit of salt and pepper.

4.)  Place chicken on the pizza pan or baking sheet (meaty side down), and bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

5.)  Remove pan from the oven, turn chicken over, then place the pan back in the oven, and continue to bake the chicken for 15 minutes.

6.)  Remove pan from the oven, turn chicken over (meaty side down), and top the chicken with the barbecue sauce.  Place the pan back in the oven, and continue to bake for 15 minutes.

7.)  Once again, remove pan from the oven, turn chicken over, and coat the other side of the chicken with more of the barbecue sauce.  Return the pan to the oven, and finish baking the chicken for 15 minutes.

8.)  Place chicken on serving platter, serve, and enjoy!

9.) *Note: The types of barbecue sauce I have used for this recipe... Sweet Baby Ray's, Hunt's, Kraft's, and KC Masterpiece.  All are thick in consistency, and makes the chicken taste great!

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Cindi's Oven Barbecued Chicken | Just A Pinch Recipes

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Crispy Herb Chicken

Here's another wonderful chicken recipe, which I use a crispy rice cereal in the coating mix.  The kind of cereal that goes... Snap! Crackle!  Pop! For this recipe, you can leave the skin on, or remove it from the chicken.  The melted butter helps to adhere the coating mix to the chicken, even without the skin. Prepared either way, the chicken tastes great!

Crispy Herb Chicken 

1-1/4 cups crushed, crispy rice cereal

1 (.06-oz.) packet Good Seasons Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

3-1/2 lbs. chicken (chicken legs & thighs) about 10 pieces.

 
9 Tablespoons butter

1.)  Line a baking sheet (with edges) with aluminum foil, or line 1-(14-inch) pizza pan with the foil, and spray the foil with a non-stick cooking spray.  (If you should use a pizza pan, be sure to line the pan in a criss-cross pattern with 2 layers of aluminum foil.)

2.)  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

3.)  In a shallow bowl or 8-inch baking pan; combine the crushed cereal, salad dressing mix, and parsley.

4.)  Melt the butter, then add it to a shallow bowl or pan.  (You can melt the butter in an 8x8-inch baking pan in the oven).

5.)  Dip the chicken pieces (with or without the skin), and one piece at a time, in the melted butter; then roll the chicken in the cereal coating mixture.


6.)  Place the chicken on the foiled lined baking sheet.  (If using chicken with the skin on, be sure to place the thighs (skin-side-up) on the baking sheet.

 

7.)  Bake chicken in the oven for 60 minutes.  "DO NOT TURN THE CHICKEN AT ANY TIME" while it's baking in the oven.

8.)  Once the chicken is done baking, immediately remove it from the pan, so it's not sitting in any grease.  Serve chicken on a plate or serving platter.

8.)  Yields: 5 servings (2 pieces per serving)

Crispy Herb Chicken | Just A Pinch Recipes

🎄 Cookies I made for Christmas (2010)

These are the cookies I made for Christmas this year.



Snickerdoodles

Gingersnaps

Cherry-Nut Slices

Chinese Almond Cookies

Black Forest Cherry Cookies

Kisses Candy Cane Blossoms

Confetti Peanut Butter Cookies

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❄️Jenny's After Christmas Celebration Dec. 26, 2010❄️

This is the cake our daughter Jenny made for our day after Christmas celebration.  Isn't this a cute cake!





This is our daughter Jenny who makes the cakes.  Oh how I wish I had more photos of the beautiful cakes she's made throughout the years.

⛄️ Jenny's After Christmas Celebration 12/26/2010 ⛄️

 

* ~ Domestic Goddess Chili ~ *

This is my all time favorite chili.



Domestic Goddess Chili 

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 20 Minutes

2 lbs. ground beef

1 cup chopped onions

1/4 cup chili powder

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 (15-oz.) cans tomato sauce

2 (8-oz.) jars taco sauce, mild or medium

2 (15-oz.) cans red kidney beans, drained & rinsed 

shredded cheddar cheese, to garnish chili

tortilla chips, to scoop up the chili

1.)  Cook ground beef in a Dutch oven over high heat; stirring to break up meat, until no longer pink (for 3 minutes).

2.)  Add the onions; cook and stirring until translucent (for 2 minutes).


3.)  Stir in the chili powder and garlic; cook one minute.


4.)  Stir in the tomato sauce and taco sauce.  Bring to a boil; then reduce the heat, and simmer (uncovered) for 10 minutes.


5.)  Stir in the kidney beans and heat through.


6.)  Top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, and scoop up the chili with the tortilla chips.


7.)  Yields: 8 to 10 Servings.


8.) Note: This recipe states to add 1/4 cup of chili powder, and yes, that's exactly how much I put in my chili.

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Domestic Goddess Chili | Just A Pinch Recipes

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