…because that’s really what my blog needs, right? More breakfast shake recipes. I’m a little bit obsessed them lately, but they’re a great breakfast for this time of year when even the mornings feel oppressively hot.
Here’s what I ate this week:
Cherry Breakfast Shake // I wanted to try something different, so I made a smoothie with my usual 1/2 cup of oatmeal + 1 cup of (vanilla) almond milk base (stirred together and refrigerated overnight to soften the oats) and then I added about a cup of cherries that I had popped in the freezer the night before. It was a little bit tart, so I added some honey to sweeten it. I liked it, but my husband tried it and he did not. In fact, he hated it.
Rice Noodles with Broccoli-Almond Pesto // Very easy and filling! Although I think it may have been more filling than the original recipe because I added extra broccoli and some sauteed yellow squash (from the garden!). So if you make this, add more veggies!
Blenheim Ginger Ale // Why hello, best ginger ale ever! They sell this at the farmers market in Raleigh–it comes in Hot, Not As Hot, and Diet. I always buy Hot. It is the spiciest ginger ale I’ve ever had. Oh, it’s so good. I rarely drink anything sugary, but I make an exception for this.
Lentil Meatballs with Lemon Pesto // This recipe was quite involved, but the end result was worth it. My only regret is that I didn’t double the amount of pesto, since I served it with pasta and roasted broccoli in addition to the meatballs. (And in case you were wondering, that’s purple basil in the pesto. Purple basil is the only basil that’s doing well for me this summer.)
Ginger Peach Popsicles // It’s been in the 90s this week and the next few days are supposed to be over 100. Over 100. This? Is popsicle weather.
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This is making me so hungry! I love your recipes!
Aw, thanks Jenn!
Um…yes please!! It is definitely frozen treat weather. We’ve been push pop mad the past few weeks.
I bet that ginger ale would rock in some soda bread!
I need to get some of those cute little push pop thingies. I’m always making popsicles, so it would be nice to mix things up a little bit!
It all looks yummy! Especially the lentil meatballs. I will have to try those! I tried to make veggie meatballs last year with lentils, but mine dried out. Yours look so moist!!
These were a little bit dry, but that’s my fault for not thinking to double the recipe for the sauce. Next time!
Oh wow everything looks really good, awesome pictures!
Thank you!
I would love to try that Hot Ginger Ale. I’ll have to look for it. And a really nice way to start the day with a cherry smoothie. Delicious. Everything looks so good. Have a great weekend.
If you can find it, definitely buy some–it is hotter than any ginger ale or ginger beer that I’ve ever tried. My husband thinks it’s painful to drink, but I love it.
I had to look up your peach-ginger popsicles! I have a love affair with peaches every summer. And that’s funny about your outdoor photo shoot — I used to prefer the outdoors because of the bright, even lighting. Now, not always, and for frozen desserts a definite no. I’d also love to try the spicy ginger ale!
You’re going to have to tell me your secret, because in addition to the wind and heat, the lighting in the pictures was really harsh–none of them were salvageable. And I used a diffuser too! Maybe it wasn’t the right time of day?
Hi Kiersten, I couldn’t figure out where all the hits on my blog where coming from, and then I figured it out– it was your link to my Lentil Meatball post (by way of Sprouted Kitchen). Many thanks. I like the idea of adding pasta and broccoli too. I’ve been going through your blog (it’s been over an hour now) and I absolutely LOVE it. I share a similar 90/10 philosophy, though truth be told, mine is probably closer to 80/20. Whatever! Life is good when you enjoy your food. Happy cooking and I look forward to trying lots of your recipes. Best, Batya
Thank you for the kind words! We loved the recipe–I’ve been working on developing a mushroom meatball recipe, but it never occurred to me to try lentils. And 80/20, 90/10, as long as most of what you eat is healthy, it’s all good! I think I’ve been a little bit closer to 80/20 lately too.
You always make me so hungry! I want that shake and pasta! mmmm
The cherry smoothie sounds delicious, how could your husband not like it?!?!
He’s not a big fan of cherries! So I think that’s why. Also, it was healthy. That’s probably why too.
That cherry smoothie sounds awesome. Did you just like fresh bing cherries?
Yup, bing cherries. It would probably be less tart if I used Rainier, but those are always so expensive! I’m waiting for them to go on sale…
Yummers! I LOVE breakfast shakes (smoothies) too! Big time! You crack me up when you said your husband didn’t like it. I always have my husband and/or daughter try my experiments too, especially since I’m not a picky eater.
Great eats!
I was surprised he didn’t like it, but then again, he’s not a big fan of cherries. I thought it was perfect!
oo everything looks fabulous! and i LOVE the idea of a spicy ginger ale!
This ginger ale is beyond spicy. Verging on painful. But in a good way!
I need to try that Ginger Ale – I wonder if Whole Foods carries it. Everything looks delicious and the lentil meatballs just might be my dinner tomorrow night! As always, everything looks delicious!
I haven’t seen it at our Whole Foods, but maybe some kind of specialty gourmet shop type of place? It is craaaaazy spicy. Chris refuses to drink it and he loves ginger ale/beer.
I only like things made with real cherries, nothing with cherry flavor so your breakfast shake sounds heavenly! I will try it.
Yes, me too! Cherry flavored things taste nothing like actual cherries–they remind me of cough syrup. Not a good association.
YUM! Love the cherry breakfast shake!
Your husband’s honesty cracks me up! I need to try that ginger ale too because the spiciness of ginger is what I love most about it!
You take the BEST photos, K. Seriously.
Do you go to the state farmers market in Raleigh? You need to go there! That’s where they sell it–in the building with the little “shops” in it. But it’s really strong. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Oooh, the cherry shake looks delish! What a wonderful way to wake up with all that fruity goodness.
It has been so hot here, even in the morning, that fruit and smoothies are all I feel like eating for breakfast!
I have been making overnight oatmeal, but I never thought to turn it into a smoothie. I will have to see how I like that.
It’s good! When you soak the oats overnight, they blend much smoother. So it gives the smoothie a creamier texture.
That’s it, I need a new blender.
Mine bit the dust awhile back & we’ve been doing without but you just have too many good shake recipes!
Ours broke a few years ago! So now I either use an immersion blender or the food processor. I’m too cheap to buy a new blender when I can use those for most things.
Those ginger peach popsicles look so yummy!
They are so good–I just had one for dessert!
Hi Kiersten, Somewhere on here lately you said you just finishing re-photographing all your early recipes– what a big project that must have been to replace all your iPhone photos! Congratulations on getting that done.
I still have a few to go, but I’m almost finished! I started in December, I think, so it’s definitely been a huge project.
Okay, now I’m starving again and I JUST ate lunch, lol! I must try your cherry smoothie, we’ve been eating tons of cherries straight out of the fridge lately and this looks like a great way to mix it up! Also, I think even my hubby would eat that rice noodle dish, I must try it! I would love to try that Ginger Ale!
I always buy those big bags of cherries, but my husband doesn’t like them so I have to eat them all myself & I get to the point where I can’t even look at them anymore.
So throwing them in a smoothie is definitely a nice change of pace!
I used to live in Columbia SC where I would buy Blenheim Ginger Ale all the time. The hot of course. I used to actually get a soda to drink with it because the spice would build up so much from drinking the hot. Thanks for bringing back fond memories.
Oh, you have to buy the hot kind! You can’t bother with the weak stuff! My husband finds it absolutely undrinkable, but I love it, especially those last few sips that are so spicy, they verge on painful.