Chilled Cantaloupe-Peach Soup

Heaven. That's all I can say--this dessert is heaven. If you try any of the desserts on this blog, try this one!

3 ripe peaches

1/8 c. water

3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (about the juice from one lemon)

0-2 tsp. honey (I didn't use any, the recipe calls for 2)

dash of cinnamon

smaller dash of nutmeg

1/2 of a ripe cantaloupe

1/2 c. orange juice

blueberries to garnish(preferably fresh, but frozen is good too)

Other optional garnishes: plain yogurt, whipped topping, sour cream.

Directions:

1. Peel, pit and slice the peaches. Place them in a heavy saucepan with everything except the cantaloupe and orange juice. Heat the peach mixture to a boil, lower to a simmer, cover and let it stew for 10 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature.

2. Using a blender or food processor, puree the peach mixture with all its liquid. Place the puree in a serving bowl.

3. Chop approximately 3/4 of the 1/2 of cantaloupe (3/8 of the whole thing), and puree it in the orange juice until smooth. Add it to the peach puree. Mince the remaining 1/4 of the 1/2 of cantaloupe (1/8 of the total), and add the pieces to the puree. Cover and chill. Serve cold with blueberries.

Note: I got this recipe from the Enchanted Broccoli Forest cookbook.

Fruit Smoothie

This "recipe" is fantastic; commit it to memory and then get creative. Here's the basic recipe:

2 c. juice (I like orange or cranberry best)
2 c. frozen fruit (I like strawberries or mangos)
1 banana

Put it in a blender and blend.

When you start getting experimental, you can replace the juice with juicy fruit like melons and start adding things like yogurt, and as weird as it may sound, you can add some veggies for extra nutrients (just don't go overboard or you'll regret it). A carrot or a little red cabbage won't change the flavor that much but can be a great way to get some more vegetables into your diet.

Fruit Freezers

1/2 can juice concentrate
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk
3-4 oz. yogurt (opt.)
1 tray ice cubes (of as many as it takes to get right thickness, maybe a few less)

Directions:
Put it in a blender (ice last) and blend! Serve in pretty cups. If you want to get fancy, garnish with fresh berries, fruit slices or sprigs of mint.

You can be as exotic and creative with the juice/yogurt blends as you want--it's pretty hard to mess this recipe up. It's also great with Pina Colada "Bicardi" mix. Lemonade is a great summer treat.

For a fun breakfast, try using orange juice.

* I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Emily, and it is delicious!