Cookbook author and Chef Gina Meyers demonstrating from her Unofficial H...

Super Satisfying Strawberry Smoothie

There are many ways to make a smoothie, so after waiting in line at Jamba Juice yesterday and seeing a guy spend a small fortune on Ginger Shots as I was waiting for my Orange Dream Machine (Medium Size) in split cups, I told myself, "hey I have enough ingredients in my freezer and fridge to make a super satisfying smoothie." If you know me, the exact type of smoothie wasn't exactly decided upon, cause I had to see what was in the fridge and freezer and on the counter, so here goes:

1 4 ounce Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt
1/4 cup of orange juice (!00% pure orange juice, no pulp)
3 chunks of coconut (16 ounce bag found at Trader Joe's, unsweetened coconut chunks)
5 large strawberries (strawberries can be frozen if not in season)
1 very ripe banana (bananas can be frozen)
handful of blueberries (can use frozen blueberries, blackberries).

What if I wanted to make this smoothie with more protein? I would substitute the yogurt for Greek yogurt.

Directions: Place all ingredients in a blender and puree for about 30 seconds, makes one smoothie.

For more smoothie and drink recipes buy today: My Sweet Valentine, non-alcoholic beverages, by, Gina Meyers

Fried Artichoke Hearts

One of my favorite Christmas Eve appetizers was my Grandma Rose's Fried Artichoke Hearts. I made these this year and they were a hit. No one can it just one, trust me. If you are gluten-free then utilizing gluten-free breadcrumbs, or making your own bread crumbs by toasting gluten-free bread and pulverizing into crumbs, my bread crumb mixture was the Italian Style bread crumbs that already has the garlic and other herbs and spices in the mixture. 

Fried Artichoke Hearts

4-6  Artichoke hearts (1 jar of Cara Mia artichoke hearts marinated in oil.

4    Whole artichokes (cooked, with hearts removed from center of choke)

4-6 Artichoke hearts (1 can of artichoke hearts in water)

Juice of a lemon

Olive oil

½ Cup of flour

1  Egg

Bread crumb mixture

Bread Crumb Mixture Recipe:

½ Cup of bread crumbs

¼  Cup of grated parmesan

Salt and pepper to taste

1 Teaspoon parsley

1 Teaspoon minced garlic

Directions: There are three types of artichoke hearts that you can use, a whole artichoke, cooked and cleaned, artichoke hearts marinated in olive oil, or artichoke hearts from a can packed in water.  To remove excess oil from the marinated artichoke hearts, simply place on a paper towel. The paper towel will absorb some of the oil from the artichoke hearts. You can also cook whole artichokes and remove the hearts making sure to clean out the choke. Cutting the hearts into ½ and then into 3rds. Put artichoke heart pieces into a bowl with enough water to cover and add the juice of one whole lemon. Cover bowl and soak for five minutes. Drain the artichokes and dry on absorbent paper towels, make sure the artichoke hearts are completely dry.