Mmmm... Coffee Liqueur!

I love sweets and coffee flavors... and I also love sweet drinks (although I seldom ever drink)... so when I found this recipe for coffee liqueur I was excited!  I could make this liqueur at home for a fraction of the cost... have you priced Kahlua lately?! 

I made a Tiramisu Cake (yes I said cake!) and used my newly made coffee liqueur.  While my son & his girlfriend didn't care for it because they don't like coffee... my hubby & I thought it was great!

Here's the recipe for the Coffee Liqueur:

***

Coffee Liqueur

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

3 Tbsp. instant coffee granules

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup vodka

In a sauce pan, over medium heat, combine sugar & water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat & simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat, then stir in instant coffee granules & allow to cool.

When cool, stir in vanilla & vodka.  Blend thoroughly.  Pour into clean bottles & close tightly.  Store in a cool dark place.  Will store for a month.

My first time making Wraps.

So this was something new for me...  I've had wraps from different places... but never made them at home.  One thing I didn't expect was that I would have so much trouble actually doing the "wrapping"! lol  I used tortilla shells... so I don't know if regular Mission brand deli wraps would have been less "cracky".  I steamed the shells my second time around & they were easier to work with.

Here's the low down...

***

I started out by creating a dressing to use in my Chicken wrap. I regret to say that I didn't keep track of the exact measurements of the ingredients... but if you make it you can adjust to your taste.

Sweet Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

1/2 Tsp. Sesame Seeds

Mix all ingredients together.  Adjust to your liking.

Next I gathered the stuff I wanted to put inside my wraps.

Pictured are:  Black Beans, Grilled Corn, Steak, Rotisserie Chicken, Onion, Lettuce, Tomato & Avacado

• I wanted to grill the steak, but the hubby wasn't in the mood to fire up the grill... so I pan fried it.
• I grilled the corn kernels in a saute skillet with a little bit of butter.  I used canned corn because I didn't have any fresh... I think fresh, or at least frozen, would have came out a bit nicer... but it was still good.
• The black beans came from a can & were rinsed well.
• Also in the picture is some Honey Dijon salad dressing that my hubby used in his wrap.

And here's my end product.  This is a Chicken wrap... hubby had Steak wraps.  I didn't add any tomato in this one.  They were actually really good!  I will make them again... perhaps with Bacon & Ranch next time!

An old favorite found again! Orange Julius!

Have you ever had an Orange Julius from that little shop in the mall??  Ya know... I don't even know if they still have those open... because I live in a town with one mall & we haven't had an Orange Julius in over 20 years. lol

I believe I got this recipe first from my older brother when he was going to college in Denver, CO.  We liked it better than the original from the shops because they tasted like they came from a powder... at least to us.

So here is the recipe we have loved... & I've added a couple others to test out...

***

 

          Orange Julius

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
10 ice cubes (or more depending on how thick you like it)

Combine all ingredients in the blender & blend until smooth.

*  I have even substituted ice cream for the milk a few times for an even creamier drink.

*  My brother used to add an egg for extra protein.

*  Don't be afraid to try other frozen juice concentrates!!

Alternative recipes for Orange Julius:

Alternate 1

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup Cool Whip
1 cup crushed ice 

Combine all ingredients except crushed ice in blender, blending for about 1-2 minutes.  Add crushed ice until smooth.

Alternate 2

1/4 C. Tang
2 T. Sugar
1 C. water
1/2 C. milk
1/2 t. vanilla
2 C. ice cubes

Whip all ingredients in blender until smooth.

 Alternate 3

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
10 ice cubes (or more depending on how thick you like it)
 

Combine all ingredients in the blender & blend until smooth.