California Lemonade & Snacking

As warmer days approach, spending time outside is a pretty cool gratification of time, at least before it gets too hot to stand it.

Grilling, barbecuing, sunning by a pool, it all sounds pretty cool to me. The recipes below are for just these types of days.

For today's 2 on Tuesdays, I give you three. Cool refreshing lemonade along with a snack of a fresh bran muffin and a stimulating yet simple avocado wrap – pure springtime delight. Enjoy!

California Lemonade
for each drink


1 1/2 jiggers blended whiskey
1 1/2 jiggers lemon juice
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
1 teaspoon grenadine
Club Soda

Shake whiskey, lemon juice and sugar well with ice and pour into a tall 14-ounce glass. Fill with ice and top with soda. Float grenadine on top. Stir slightly with swizzle stick and garnish with a lemon slice if desired.

Salmon Avocado Wraps

Slice peeled avocado into thin strips lengthwise. Wrap thinly sliced strips of smoked salmon around them. Arrange on a platter and sprinkle with lemon juice to aid in discoloration. Sprinkle a light passing of freshly ground pepper and add a few capers if desired.

Honey Bran Muffins
 
1 cup all bran cereal
1 cup skim milk
1 egg
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place cereal in mixing bowl, add milk and stir. Let stand 5 minutes. Add egg, oil and honey. In separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the bran mixture stirring well. Spoon batter evenly into 12 greased muffin tins. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and puffed. Serve warm Note: For cocktail muffins, spoon batter into 24 mini muffin tins and bake 15 to 18 minutes.