Berry Cherry Groovy Smoothie

This is a recipe my 5 year old found and requested that we make.  It turned out really delicious!

Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1/2 cup fresh or frozen pitted Bing cherries
1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup low-fat yogurt (plain works great!)
strawberry and raspberry for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Place the fruit in the base of a blender. Add the juice and yogurt.
2. Blend on low, stopping the blender to stir if necessary, until smooth.  Increase to high for several seconds.
3. Divide the mixture between two glasses and top with fresh fruit.

Kitchen Tip: Buy frozen fruit for the smoothie.  The fruit will be ripest and you won't need any ice cubes for a nice thick smoothie.

Recipe source: http://www.nickjr.com/recipes/berry-cherry-groovy-smoothie.jhtml

Icebox Cake

From the Keri Fisher collection

Serves

12

Introduction

This dessert is like a very rich chocolate-cream pie — with no baking necessary. Read more about no-bake summertime desserts in Keri Fisher’s article “Chill out.”

Ingredients

Filling

	¼	cup cornstarch
	¾	cup sugar
	½	cup unsweetened cocoa powder
	~	Pinch of salt
	2	cups whole milk
	8	oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish (see Note)
	2	Tbsp. unsalted butter
	1	Tbsp. vanilla
	1	box (14 oz.) graham crackers (see Note)

Topping

	1½	cups heavy cream
	2	Tbsp. sugar
	2	tsp. vanilla

Steps

1. Whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, cocoa, and pinch of salt in a heavy medium saucepan, then gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, then boil, whisking, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in chopped chocolate and butter until melted and smooth. Stir in the 1 tablespoon vanilla and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Arrange one single layer of graham crackers in a pie plate or a 9-inch-by-11-inch baking dish. Top with one-third of the chocolate pudding. Repeat with remaining graham crackers and pudding, ending with a layer of pudding. Refrigerate while you prepare the whipped topping.
3. Combine the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer and whip until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream in an even layer on top of pudding. Garnish with grated chocolate.

Notes

If you have a zester or, even better, a Microplane, use it to create chocolate shavings for the garnish.

Graham crackers that aren’t made with hydrogenated oil and high-fructose corn syrup can be hard to find. As a substitute, use any dry, crumbly, neutral-flavored cookie, such as a thin butter cookie.