What to do with leftover Brandy and Wine?

Okay, I know people don't actually have leftover brandy, but you might have some leftover wine!  I love mixed drinks; the fruity and fru fruer, the better.  My favorite fru fru fruity drink is Sangria.  The first time I ever had Sangria was on our honeymoon.  We went to dinner at an excellent Cuban restaurant in Miami and ordered a pitcher of Sangria.  It was delicious!  Since then I've tried Sangria at several different restaurants, but it never is as good as it was at that Cuban restaurant.  Because of that, I decided I was going to figure out how to make it myself.  Since then it's been my signature drink.  I make it for parties and get-togethers all of the time.  Tonight I made it for our church progressive dinner for Valentine's Day.  It's so easy to make and it costs less to make a pitcher at home than it does for two glasses at a restaurant.  The good thing about this recipe is that it's flexible.  You can use any kind of wine, no matter the cost, and any type of frozen fruit.  It always tastes good.  My favorite combination is a white wine and a bag of tropical fruit.  Mmmm, instant vacation.

Sangria
Ingredients:
1 Bottle of Wine (or the equivalent- I often use two half bottles if I have some open.  One time I even used champagne)
1 Cup of Sugar
3 Shots of Brandy
A little more than 1/2 of a 32 oz Bag of Frozen Fruit
2 Cans Sprite or 7-Up

Pour wine, sugar, brandy and frozen fruit into a large pitcher.  Put in the refrigerator overnight or for several hours.  Before serving, pour soda into the pitcher and stir. 

What to do with a little bit of leftover frozen fruit?

I love to make Sangria, but the only problem is I always have a little bit of frozen fruit left over from it.  Yesterday morning I used it to make a smoothie for my children for breakfast.  It is so easy to do and really healthy.  Charlie, my 2 year old, loves them.  For some reason he calls them chocolate milk.  I know there are frozen smoothie mixes in the grocery store, but you don't have to buy those because you can easily make one at home.  The homemade one is better for you too.  What do you like to use in your smoothies?  I love apple juice, frozen strawberries and peach yogurt. Yum!


Breakfast (or anytime!) Smoothie

Ingredients:
1 Cup of Frozen Fruit
1 Cup Fruit Juice
1/2 Container of Single Serving Yogurt
1 1/2 TBSP Honey

Mix all ingredients in blender or Magic Bullet.  Blend until smooth and creamy.  If smoothie is too thick for you, add a little bit more juice, water or ice.  This makes enough smoothie for two adults.

What to do with leftover McDonald's caramel dipper sauce?

Add it to your coffee!


Like most people who have toddlers and preschoolers, we visit McDonald's on a regular basis.  I almost always get the kids apple dippers, but I leave the caramel sauce in the bag.  When I have around 10, I usually make a really yummy fruit dip.  However, today was one of those days I needed a cup of coffee at 3:30.  I like my coffee like a dessert and we were out of all of my regular add-ins- powdered creamer and Splenda just weren't cutting it.  When rummaging through my fridge, I found the caramel dip.  I added it to my coffee and presto, coffee shop coffee!  It was delicious!