In 2007, the Florida Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) dedicated a cookbook in memory of a four-decade state FCS specialist and extension agent, Professor Mary Harrison. Professor Harrison was a tireless advocate for FCS issues and impacted extension programming for years after her retirement. The Simply Florida, A Taste of Flavors from the Sunshine State cookbook was on sale at Florida county Extension offices for years however most books have been sold to date.

The cookbook was a celebration of local agriculture of our sunshine state. Recipes were contributed by UF/IFAS Florida Extension FCS agents throughout the state. Along with the recipes submitted were tips to help prepare the meals safely and nutritiously.

Drinks are always a favorite for summertime relief. Here’s a sampler of those delicious tasty drinks that were published in the cookbook:

Double Pineapple Breakfast Shake

3 cups of chopped fresh or canned pineapple

1 1/2 cups lemon yogurt

1 ripe banana, sliced

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine the pineapple, yogurt, banana and cinnamon in a blender or food processor. process until smooth. Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.

Breakfast Smoothie

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1 cup 1% milk or fat free milk

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen whole strawberries

1 peach, peeled and sliced, or 3/4 cup frozen peach slices

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 TBSP chopped walnuts

Combine the yogurt, milk, strawberries, peach and vanilla in a blender and process for 15 to 20 seconds or until pureed. Pour the smoothies evenly into two tall glasses and top each with 1Tbsp of the walnuts. Garnish each smoothie with one fresh whole strawberry and serve immediately.

Coffee Punch

2 quarts strong brewed coffee

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup whipping cream

1 quart vanilla or chocolate ice cream

Combine the coffee, milk, sugar and vanilla in a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator.

Just before serving stir the whipping cream into the coffee mixture. Scoop the ice cream into a punch bowl and pour the coffee mixture over the ice cream. Ladle into punch cups.

Featured image by George Dolgikh – stock.adobe.com

0