Party Flavored Ice

Raspberry Ice Cubes (Perfect for making Lemonade into Raspberry Lemonade)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 pint raspberries

Preparations:

1. Add one cup of water and half cup of sugar to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. 
2. Once boiling, add the raspberries and let cook for about five minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and use a fork to gently mash the raspberries. You want some of them to stay mostly intact and others to let out their delicious red juices. 
4. Let cool for about 20 minutes, and then pour the raspberries and syrup juice into ice cube trays. Allow four to six hours for complete freezing. 

Lemon Ice Cubes (Great for making even a plain glass of water instantly fancy)

Ingredients:

• 1 lemon
• Concentrated lemon juice
• Water

Preparations:

1. Slice the lemon in half.
2. Take each half and slice six thin circles of lemon, making sure that each one has some pulp. This means that the few couple circles will need to be almost as thin as possible.
3. Put a lemon circle in each well of a cupcake pan. Add a couple of drops of concentrated juice to each circle.
4. Slowly fill each well with water until there's enough to submerge the lemon circle.
5. Freeze overnight and run under warm water to remove.

Honey Oven Pancakes

Makes one pancake that serves two people.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup of warmed milk (15-20 seconds in the microwave)
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 4 teaspoons of honey and additional honey for drizzling
• 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice or 1/4 tsp of cinnamon (optional)
• 2 tbsp of butter
• Soft fruits, chopped (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries work well, banana become VERY strong)

Preparations:

1. Heat the oven to just shy of 400°F.
2. Whisk egg whites with an electric mixer until it is white and peaky.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the whole eggs with flour, salt, honey, lemon juice or cinnamon, and vanilla, then whisk in the warm milk.
4. Gently fold the egg white into the batter.
5. Heat a 8-9″ oven proof frying pan or cast-iron skillet on the stove.
6. Melt the butter in the hot pan over medium-low heat.
7. Pour the batter in the hot pan.
8. Sprinkle the fruit on top. Don't use so much fruit that you can't see the top of the pancake, which is essential for determining when it is done.
9. Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Cover loosely with foil and bake for an additional 20-40 minutes. The cook time will depend on the amount and temperature of the added fruit. You'll know it's done when it's puffed in the center and a toothpick comes out clean.
10. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey.
11. Use a plastic spoon or spatula to slide the pancake out onto a plate or cut and serve like a pie.

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:

• Any fresh tomatoes you wish to use up, diced
• 1/2 an onion, finely diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced (or 1.5 tsp garlic powder)
• 1/2 a bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup + 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (optional)

Preparations:

1.  In a saucepan, saute onion in 1 tsp olive oil over medium heat for 10 minutes.
2. Add bell pepper, garlic, and fresh tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
3. Combine remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. 
4. Cover with a lid slightly askew and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes.
5. Remove lid, lower temperature to low, and simmer for at least 30 more minutes.