The Secret Recipe Club: Skinny White Russians with Godiva Chocolate Vodka

I was looking at my calendar, wondering when I need to get my recipe set for the reveal date and realized it was this coming Monday. OOPS!! Luckily I knew what I was making, I just needed to buy my secret ingredient, chocolate flavored vodka from Godiva. I went to my local liquor store and was surprised to find out they didn’t carry it. I went to several more stores until I found the vodka at Smith’s. It was a bit expensive but I had no choice, I needed it. It was so delicious! I’m not a vodka fan but I can definitely sip on this vodka. What can I say, I like chocolate any which way.

This month for The Secret Recipe Club I had Hezzi’s-D Books and Cooks. Heather enjoys reading and baking. I wish I could find a love for reading like Heather but nothing can beat baking in my book. As I was cruising around her blog I came upon some delicious drinks using Godiva vodka and liqueur. Heather had a house party to feature these drinks. I didn’t get to have a fun house party like her but I did enjoy my drink while cooking dinner.

I was inspired to use the chocolate vodka with coffee. She made Café Godiva featuring their white chocolate liqueur, coffee and cinnamon whipped cream. I’ve always enjoy White Russians by using low fat milk instead of cream. Now that I use almond milk for everything involving dairy I came up with Skinny White Russians. This drink is low in calories and delicious in flavor that will save at your waist line.

Skinny White Russians (serves 1)
By Fallon, inspired by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Ingredients
4 oz of brewed espresso or bold coffee, room temperature
2 oz of unsweetened almond milk
1 oz Godiva Chocolate flavored vodka
Ice
Agave nectar
Unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions
To garnish drinking glass, place agave nectar and cocoa powder on two separate plates. Take the glass and swirl around in agave nectar then place into cocoa powder, shake excess powder off. Add in ice cubes. Pour 1 oz of vodka to 4 oz of espresso. Add in almond milk and stir with a straw. Take a sip and enjoy!

This is one of my favorite drinks as of now. It is light, tasty and so much fun to make. I love adding the garnish to the glass with cocoa powder. It is a must when having this drink.

Enjoy,
Fallon

Green Peanut Butter Smoothie with Chunky Monkey Granola

This is currently one of my favorite ways to make a smoothie. It comes out thick and creamy, perfect for a granola topper. My chunky monkey granola works great on top of this smoothie. This is the perfect smoothie to have after a sweaty workout! It is packed with nutrients (spinach, banana) and protein. I recently picked up xanthan gum when I was in Las Vegas. I started adding 1/2 teaspoon to my smoothies and it really helps binding everything together so it stays super creamy. I’d highly recommend the purchase, it will last you a while!

Green Peanut Butter Smoothie                                                               Serves 1 hungry person

Ingredients

4 ounces almond milk

4 ounces water, chilled

1/2 banana, sliced and frozen

1 heaping tablespoon peanut flour (Trader Joe’s or PB2)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

Dash sea salt and cinnamon  

Handful baby spinach

4-5 ice cubes

1-2 tablespoons chunky monkey granola

Directions

Put ingredients in order and blend away. Depending on consistency you can add more liquid or ice. I tend to add more ice, for a thicker smoothie. Pour in a huge glass and top with chunky monkey granola. Eat with spoon and enjoy!

           I do the straw/spoon combo!

Fallon

Sangria Fail

I’ve had bad Italian food and Mexican food in the past. I’ve had so-so desserts but then some really amazing desserts. I’ve had some of the best sangria too. The best definitely was not the batch that was made recently. The addition of more brandy to the fruit, ruined the sangria. It was so strong it took away from what sangria is all about. The drunken fruit, Spanish wine, a little brandy, that eventually all becomes one delicious drink where you always want more then one glass. Not in this case. It was sad seeing all it go down the drain.

  

Have you had a bad alcoholic drink before? I think this was one of my firsts! Good thing I’m not a mixologist or anything. ;)

Fallon