Real Life Recipes

Chocolate Haystacks & Sensational Smoothies
As prepared by Teresa of the 2008 Milk Calendar

No-Bake Chocolate Haystacks (Baking Page)

These are one of the easiest snacks to make with ingredients you likely have on hand. Kids of all ages will love to help make (and eat) these tasty treats.

1 cup         granulated sugar         250 mL
1/3 cup     unsweetened cocoa powder    75 mL
1 cup         Milk                 250 mL
1/4 cup     corn syrup             50 mL
1/4 cup     butter, cut into cubes         50 mL
1/4 cup     semisweet chocolate chips     50 mL
2 cups         quick-cooking rolled oats     500 mL
3 cups         corn flakes cereal         750 mL

1. Butter 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper.

2. In a deep saucepan, whisk together sugar and cocoa; whisk in Milk and corn syrup. Add butter and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Boil hard, stirring constantly, for 7 min or until slightly thickened and syrupy. Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Remove from heat.

3. When bubbles subside, stir in oats until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in corn flakes until coated. Drop by packed heaping tablespoonfuls (15 mL) into rough stacks on baking sheets. Let cool until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Preparation time: 10 to 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: about 3 dozen

Cooking Tip: Be sure to use a saucepan that is deep enough for the Milk mixture to bubble up. The pan shouldn’t be any more than half-full when the Milk is added.

For the Adventurous: Add 1 cup (250 mL) chopped dried fruit, chopped toasted nuts or mini candy coated chocolate pieces with oats.

Sensational Smoothies

Any time of day, a thick, frosty smoothie bursting with fruit flavour, cold Milk and yogurt makes a nutritious snack or part of a balanced meal.

Raspberry Lemon Smoothie

2 cups        Milk                    500 mL
2cups         frozen raspberries            500 mL
½ cup          lemon-or vanilla-flavoured yogurt    125 mL
2 tsp        liquid honey (or to taste)        30   mL

Banana Blueberry Orange Smoothie

2 cups        Milk                    500 mL
2         very ripe bananas cut into chunks    2
1 cup          frozen blueberries            250 mL
½ cup          vanilla-flavoured yogurt            125 mL
¼ cup         frozen orange juices concentrate    50   mL

1. In a blender, combine Milk, frozen fruit, yogurt and other flavourings (as called for); puree until smooth.
Pour into glasses; serve immediately

Pomegranate Sunrise Smoothie

¼ cup         pomegranate juice            125 mL
2 cups         Milk                    500 mL
2 cups         frozen mixed tropical fruit        500 mL
¾ cup         vanilla-flavoured yogurt            175 mL
2 tbsp        liquid honey (or to taste)        30   mL

1. Divide pomegranate juice evenly in each of 2 to 4 tall glasses.
2. In a blender, combine Milk, frozen fruit, yogurt and honey; puree until smooth.  Holding a teaspoon with rounded side up and angled toward inside of glass, gently pour in smoothie mixture on top of pomegranate juice to create two layers.  Swirl, if desired, to create a Sunrise effect.  Serve immediately.

Preparation time:  5 minutes
Yield: 2 to 4 servings, each variation