Agua De Sandia (Watermelon Water)

Can't think of anything more thirst quenching that this on a hot summer day like today – chilled watermelon pureed with water, a squeeze of lime juice over a large glass of ice. Agua fresca is as common in Mexico as ice tea is here in the States. And BONUS, since watermelon is naturally sweet, there's no need to add any sugar!

Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C, lycopene, beta-carotene and a great choice for it's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant health benefits, so eat as much as you can, before the summer's over.

Last weekend I spent a few days out in Montauk for a little family getaway. It's only about 2 hours away by car (if you don't count traffic) but since it's on the most eastern tip of Long Island, where all the highways from NYC merge into one road, there's always traffic. It's worth it though – the beaches, lighthouse, restaurants, shopping  – it's so much fun!

After a morning at the beach we went to the town to grab some lunch at La Brisa. Aguas frescas, horchata, fish tacos – I was in heaven. Probably had the best ceviche I've had in a long time (although a bit overpriced) but I couldn't stop talking about it all weekend. I had a fish taco and pork taco with the watermelon agua fresca. As I sat there, I kept thinking I can't believe I don't have this recipe on my blog. So of course, I came back, bought some watermelon and here it is, tasted exactly like the one I had in La Brisa.

And you may even want to make some skinny fish taco's to go with it!

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Tropical Fruit Salad Recipe

This tropical fruit salad, made with fresh papaya, mango, pineapple, bananas and grated coconut is the best tasting fruit salad... EVER!!

It makes a great big bowl, big enough to feed a crowd so it's perfect to bring to a picnic, potluck or to serve at a backyard BBQ. This is easy enough for anyone to make – if you can use a knife, you can make this salad. The bananas are added just before serving so they don't turn brown.

Fruit salad always makes me think of my Dad, when I was younger he made a great big bowl of fresh fruit salad just about every night. It's the perfect dessert because it's all natural, made with nothing but fruit – it doesn't get cleaner than that!

In my past life I must have lived on a tropical island somewhere; the climate, blue oceans, palm trees, and sweet tropical fruit are my idea of a perfect world. Thank goodness we can get papayas, mangoes, coconut and pineapples here in the states, but there are still so many tropical fruits I'd love to see a lot more tropical fruit imported here one day such as fresh guanabana (sour sop) guava or passion fruit (maybe I need to get on a plane to somewhere tropical really soon).

Fruit salad is naturally low-fat, low-sodium, gluten-free, vegan, paleo friendly, clean-eating dish you can serve for brunch, snack or dessert. Yes, there is sugar in fruit, but it's natural and unprocessed, and loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fiber. Unless you have to watch your sugar for health reason, the USDA suggests you eat about 1-1/2 to 2 cups of fruit a day.

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Aaron's Mexican Dry Adobo Seasoning

A fusion of Mexican and American spices – a dry rub that combines the flavors of Mexico using dried pasilla and ancho chiles, with spices commonly used in dry rubs across the American South. Make a batch and it will keep for months if stores in an airtight container.

I don't watch much TV, but one show I am pretty addicted to is Chopped on the Food Network. I love seeing what mystery ingredients the contestants will get, and love seeing what the chefs come up with under pressure. But what really gets me watching is the judges, at times they can be a bit harsh, which makes me thankful I'm not on that show. If you watch Chopped, then you probably recognize Aaron Sanchez, chef from Centrico in NYC. This adobo recipe is from his new cookbook, Simple Food, Big Flavor. I actually quartered the recipe and it still made a lot, and used it to make a delicious pork tenderloin from his book (recipe coming next), but thought this should live on a page of it's own.

This can be used as a rub, for seasoning chili, stews, black bean soup and more.

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Tropical Papaya Batido (fruit shake)

A sunlit, vitamin-packed tropical fruit shake made with pink-hued papayas, fresh squeezed oranges and bananas.

Happy Monday! Monday morning are especially difficult the day after daylight savings, don't you think? This pick-me-up fruit drink is the perfect fix! Vitamin packed, dairy-free, and loaded with vitamins and fiber.

My aunt brought over this beautiful papaya, excited to make this fruit drink for me. If you've never tried papaya, it has a soft, buttery, pinkish-orange flesh with a taste similar to cantaloupe, with black seeds in the center which you discard; it's known for it's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.

Any restaurant or home you visit in Colombia, where my Mom is from, fresh fruit shakes made with exotic fruits are always on the menu for breakfast or lunch.

Papaya is an excellent fruit because it's high in Vitamins A and C, folate and potassium. In addition, it is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin K.  It reminds me of a cantaloupe, only sweeter and softer. Fresh squeezed oranges were added for added vitamins and sweetness along with bananas to make this the perfect start to any morning.

Since this is made with nothing but just fresh fruit, I'm assuming the Weight Watcher Points are 0, correct me if I'm wrong. Enjoy your day!


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Homemade Croutons

Healthier homemade croutons made with whole grain bread, Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese. These are so simple to make, with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

I love how the grains in the bread add a nutty texture to the croutons, so much better than white bread!

Once baked you can keep them in a ziplock bag to use for salads or soups (I love croutons in my split pea soup!) Be sure to use shredded Parmesan cheese so it sticks to the croutons when baked in the oven.

For this side salad, I chopped up some tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and romaine lettuce, and tossed it with my red wine tomato vinaigrette.

 

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Guiltless Banana Ice Cream

The ultimate "guilt-free" frozen ice cream treat made with only ONE ingredient, over-ripe bananas! No cream, or sugar added. Finally it's OK have ice cream for breakfast.

You know those bananas sitting on your counter, the ones with all those brown spots that you think are passed their prime. Well those bananas make the BEST dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, fat-free, frozen ice cream treat.  (Cute spoons can be found on Etsy For Such A Time Designs )

On my recent trip to the Dole Banana Summit, I was introduced to my first Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker - coolest machine EVER! You basically take your over-ripe bananas, freeze them, then run them through this simple machine. Out comes a healthy frozen, soft-serve banana ice cream. 

So easy, and fun to make with the family. Ever since I got my Yonanas, we've been experimenting with all the possibilities but quite honestly my favorite is some chopped walnuts and berries. I put some colored sprinkles on my toddler's and she loves it.

You can also add other frozen fruit such as berries, pineapple, mango or if you want something a little more decadent you can add some dark chocolate, or peanut butter. Think of the possibilities! 

Now, if you don't own a Yonanas, you can still make this frozen treat in a food processor , simply freeze the bananas and process until smooth and creamy. Thanks to the kind folks over at Dole Bananas, they are giving away ONE Yonanas Ice Cream Treat Maker to a lucky Skinnytaste fans. For a chance to win, head on over to Skinny Bits, the giveaway ends Friday, November 16th.

The ultimate guilt-free snack, breakfast or dessert!
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Watermelon On A Stick

Watermelon on a stick, isn't that the coolest idea? No cooking required for this one! Sometimes it's the simplest things that make the best desserts.

Take sweet watermelon for example, the perfect summer dessert as is - but add a stick to it and you have a fun way to present it at your backyard parties. I saw this on Real Simple and I knew I wanted to share this idea with you all. My husband thought it was brilliant as we happily enjoyed this after dinner.

Note: not a recipe, simply a fun idea I thought I would share. No cooking requires : )

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Freshly Brewed Ice Tea with Fresh Mint

What can be more thirst quenching on a hot summer day than a tall glass of fresh brewed iced tea over ice with lemon and fresh mint leaves...

Spearmint is always the first thing to bloom in my garden every spring. As it sprouts each Spring, it always brings back memories of my childhood as Mom would always put fresh mint in our iced tea. Funny how smells can take you back in time, I just can't walk past my mint without pleasant thoughts of iced tea.

Making home brewed tea is very simple. You can use orange pekoe or black tea for traditional iced tea or experiment with fruit flavors like passion fruit, peach, mango, pomegranate which are especially nice if you aren't using sugar. 

Brew your tea and discard the tea bags before refrigerating. Serve with fresh lemon slices or fresh fruit if you are using fruit tea. Add the lemon slices right before serving to avoid a bitter taste. For sweet tea add the sugar, agave, honey or Splenda with the boiled water so it dissolves (extra calories and points).

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Colombian Aji Picante

Aji picante is a spicy Colombian hot sauce served with soups, sancocho, stews, rice, beans, empanadas and more. Every Latin country has there own version of a spicy hot sauce, each unique and delicious. This is my mom's recipe, she never measures when she cooks so it was a bit tricky getting her measurements right. A little goes a long way, you only need to add a few teaspoons to whatever you put this on. To save time, I used my mini food processor.

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Skinny Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a classic Greek cucumber yogurt sauce or dip. It is served as a condiment on gyros, fish and souvlakis, and other Greek dishes or it is served as a dip with pita wedges. I personally love it on my Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breasts, on chicken burgers, as a dip with crudites and even drizzled over Greek salad. My lightened up version is fat free and just as delicious.

I can't think of a better time to make this with all the cucumbers and fresh herbs growing in my garden right now. Chives aren't typically added but I love the flavor it adds to it. Some people also like to add mint leaves. Straining the yogurt and cucumbers are a must to make this thick, so don't skip this step!

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Homemade Chicken Broth From Your Crock Pot

What's better than coming home to homemade chicken stock and cleaning out your refrigerator at the same time. Simply throw all the ingredients into the crock pot the night before, turn it on in the morning and come home to a splendid stock. Save the chicken for recipes where shredded chicken is needed or use it in your soup. Lot's of people ask me for my chicken soup recipe but honestly, that depends on what's in my fridge. Here's an easy recipe for chicken stock. You can also use giblets, leftover chicken bones, wing tips or chicken backs.

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