Nasturtiums?!?! No way. My garden is FULL of nasturtiums and I love them because they bring in the bees and birds that my veggies need – but, pesto!?

I have heard of making pesto with nettles, carrot tops, garlic scapes and, of course, basil, but this completely threw me for a loop.

So, here’s the thing, my food processor broke last week, but I wasn’t going to let this one fly by. Instead of the food processor, I used my immersion blender – and it was a little messy. I can handle messy. However, I wouldn’t recommend this because the toasted walnuts got a little crazy and, um, airborne.

The other thing about this recipe is the importance of the individual ingredients. For your homemade nasturtium pesto use parmesan that you have to grate. No snow cheese (that’s the tall green plastic container). I used fresh garlic that was pulled from a local farm two days ago – and it is the Music variety, my favorite because it is mild and has HUGE cloves. Use goooood olive oil. Finally, for the coarse salt, San Juan Island Sea Salt. There is no other option in this house. BAM!

As with any recipe, the ingredients will make all the difference. If your family likes garlic, this is perfect. If you have some really strong garlic, maybe dial it down a notch. Remember, recipes aren’t set in stone. Feel free to freestyle it a little to meet your needs. Want to use pecans, pine nuts, or almonds instead? Go for it!

Nasturtiums have a wonderful spicy, peppery taste and I didn’t add any pepper, but if you are pepper people, add a dash or four.

Make it. Enjoy it. Tell us how you served it. Today, my kids asked if they could have it on crackers and that’s why I made another double batch.

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Fresh Nasturtium Pesto Recipe

We love having these bright flowers in our gardens to attract birds and bees, but did you know that the leaves and petals are edible? Nasturtium Pesto will have you planting more seeds and making more.

Keyword from the garden, pesto, sauce

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Author Val Curtis

Equipment

• food processor

Ingredients

• 6 cups Nasturtium leaves
• 5 Fresh garlic cloves coarsely chop
• 3/4 cup Walnuts roasted
• 1 1/2 cups Parmesan freshly grated
• 2/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Lemon juiced
• 1 tbsp Salt coarse

Instructions

• Pick nasturtiums and wash and rinse each leaf under cold water. Use a salad spinner to remove excess water or pat dry.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, add walnuts gently stir until they are toasted.
• In a food processor, add the hot walnuts and coarsely chop.
• Add garlic to the food processor.
• Add Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to the food processor.
• Using a spatula, scoop it into a jar and chill for half an hour.

Nutrition

Sodium: 241mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Iron: 5mg

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Other Summer Recipes:

• Thai Salad with Sesame Garlic Dressing
• Our Favorite Sheet Pan Dinners for Busy Weeknights
• Easy Peasy Berry Freezer Jam
• 20 MUST TRY Easy and Delicious Non-Zucchini Spiralizer Recipes

The post Fresh Nasturtium Pesto Recipe first appeared on BonBon Break.

This is great to make ahead and then let it sit and chill for a couple of hours. The flavors will permeate the salad and most of all – the colors in this salad are BEAUTIFUL! You are truly eating a rainbow of goodness.

A couple of notes on the ingredients.

First, let’s chat about the dressing. PLEASE use organic canola and peanut butter. Canola and peanuts are two of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides and you owe it to yourself to get organic.

If you are going for a gluten-free version, use a GF soy sauce or Bragg’s liquid aminos.

If you are looking to save some calories, use PB2 instead of peanut butter. Why? A tablespoon of peanut butter has about 190 calories. Organic PB2 has 35 calories. I wouldn’t suggest that you use this all of the time, the oils in peanuts are good for you; however, in a dressing that already has two oils, the extra isn’t needed and saving those 155 calories is a pretty sweet deal.

In addition, the canola oil and the chopped peanuts are the two largest calorie contributors. Cut down on the amount of oil or chopped peanuts to shave off more calories.

I hope this salad helps you solve your dinner woes on one of those hot summer days! Bring it to a potluck or accompany it with some sausages on the grill, but for goodness sake…DON’T TURN ON THAT STOVE!

There may be some affiliate links below.

That just means that we are getting a little extra change for sharing something we love with you.

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Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodles Salad

This zucchini noodle salad is great to make ahead and then let it sit and chill for a couple of hours. The flavors will permeate the salad and most of all - the colors in this summer salad are BEAUTIFUL! You are truly eating a rainbow of goodness.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Thai

Keyword gluten free, salad, zoodles, zucchini noodles

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Resting Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Calories 626kcal

Ingredients

Dressing

• 2/3 cup organic canola oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 3 tbsp of soy sauce or Bragg's Liquid Aminos
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp of organic peanut butter or organic PB2
• strong squeeze of lime

Salad

• 3 large zucchini spiraled and lightly chopped
• 1 rotisserie chicken shredded
• 10 oz edamame shelled
• 2 bell peppers red and yellow, thinly sliced
• 3 large carrots julienned matchsticks
• 1 cup cilantro coarsely chopped
• 3/4 c roasted peanuts coarsely chopped

Instructions

• Add all dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk until thoroughly mixed. Set aside.
• Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over the top and gently mix entire salad.
• Chill for 1-2 hours or more. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 560mg | Potassium: 990mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 5230IU | Vitamin C: 64mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 3.5mg

Cool Tools and Ingredients to Make this Recipe

Spiralizer

We LOVE ours!

OXO Angled Measuring Cups

So kid-friendly and just a genius design.

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons with Magnetic Snaps

The magnetic snaps on these are another genius design by OXO.

PB2 Peanut Butter Powder

FIND MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS IN BONBON BREAK’S KITCHEN

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It’s officially here! Summer is upon us and the kids are frolicking and the sun is shining. However, even with all of this cheer and play, there is the daily issue of screen time during the summer. “Mom, can I have your iPad?” “Mom, can we watch ____?” I had to find something easy to get us through.

Last summer, I made this list and whenever the kids asked, I just pointed to the sign. After three days, it became a default.

The paper is still hanging in our kitchen and I decided to make it legit. I thought you might like a copy too!

It works this way. The kids need to do 20 minutes of each activity. They get to choose how to define it. They also need to complete three chores and read or write for 20 minutes. The beauty is that once they are outside playing, they aren’t counting the minutes. Once they head over to the neighbors to take out their trash, they are talking to them and then playing with their dog. Once they start drawing and painting, they are lost in the moment of creativity!

Kids fall to screens by default because it is passive and nearby; we all do. Having this list available reminds all of us to step away from the pull of our electronic devices.

I took our little list and designed it onto a piece of wood to bring that outdoors feeling in. We added it to our Zazzle store here.

We also included it as an iPad Air case (buy here)

…a simple wood poster (buy here)
…an even simpler paper poster! (buy here)

If you just want to print it out and stick it on your fridge, you can click here:

Is there another way you would like to see this? Just let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear if this works for you and your family. What strategies are you using to control screen time?

CHECK OUT MORE LIKE THIS IN THE FAMILY ROOM

The post Printable Screen Time Rules first appeared on BonBon Break.

Great for patriotic celebrations, potlucks with friends or a backyard BBQ, this berry trifle is gorgeous and simple to prepare. You start the Berry Trifle recipe with Paige’s homemade Almond Pound Cake and then layer on whipped cream and your favorite summer berries. Paige recommends assembling this recipe in one large trifle bowl for large gatherings or in individual dishes for smaller dinner parties.

Paige says this about her Summer Berry Trifle, “It’s one of those recipes that you can make up in just a few minutes, and it’s always such a hit at patriotic holiday celebrations.”

We love that you can modify the recipe with homemade or store-bought items to simplify the assembly! This beautiful dessert will certainly be the star at your next summer gathering!

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The post Summer Berry Trifle first appeared on BonBon Break.

Fresh rosemary adds depth and earthiness to the winning combination of sweet berries and tart lemon. Jessie says, “Lighten the drinks up a bit (and stretch them to serve more people!) by topping each drink off with a splash of tonic water or sparkling wine.”

Why not invite some friends to join you in celebrating summer with a pitcher or two of Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade?  You’ll be glad you did.

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Are you looking for a little bit more inspiration to keep your summer thirst quenched? Check out our collection of cocktails that we have gathered here for you on BonBon Break.

If you need a little something to go with that cocktail – like every responsible cocktail drinker will – here are some of our favorite appetizers, salads, and desserts.

Peruse the entire collection of

BonBon Break Recipes

The post Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade first appeared on BonBon Break.

Well now, the berries are here again! We have been taking full advantage of berry season whether it is at the grocery store snatching up a 1/2 flat of Skagit Valley berries or at the Farmer’s Market eating up  delicious Tri-star and Seascape strawberries that we just can’t seem to get enough of in those little hands and mouths that I adore.

In years past, I have grabbed blackberries from our “berry orchard” (read: wild berries) at the end of our driveway and frozen a few gallon bags for over the winter. We are such berry lovers that they are always gone by mid-December and I am always promising myself we will gather more “next year”. 

Throughout the years, I had always been envious of the families that served fresh berry preserves the whole year through while I was buying jar after jar at the store. Growing up in So Cal didn’t include spending summer days making jam, so I never had it in my repertoire of skills and figured it was beyond me…the same was true with vegetable gardening.

Since I tackled the later with a garden for four, I figured I could dive into jam (doesn’t that sound fabulous?). My one reservation was dealing with a huge boiling pot of water and hot jars while I have a curious 5-year-old and a VERY squirmy almost 2-year-old who, um, interact a lot these days.

Last summer, one of my dear friends was raving about freezer jam. “It is SOOOOO easy”. She is sooooo right! Here is the recipe I used and the Lil Man could help. No heat! I imagine this would be wonderful for those of you who live in places where the temps are soaring as well. 

Let’s talk safety for a moment. First and foremost, make sure your jars and lids are CLEAN. I like to throw mine in the dishwasher on the “sterilize” cycle right before I use them. If this is not an option, place them in boiling water for 5 minutes and then place them in a clean dish rack to cool. this method will allow the jars to be held in the fridge for a couple of weeks or in your freezer for up to a year. Once you open the jar, use it within two weeks. In addition, this method will not kill E. coli. Make sure you wash and sort your fruit well.

A note about the recipe. As I looked at various recipes online and in my 4 preserving books (yes, I have them and read them. I just haven’t dove into the process yet, but I am getting there). I liked this recipe because it had considerably less sugar in it. This is the recipe on the Ball Real Pectin container. It is a keeper and alterations are highly frowned upon when making anything in a jar that you are going to keep over time. Trust the professionals. Also, I highly suggest buying the batch container. You can make as much or as little as you want at a time and save the rest for later. Good thinking Ball!

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BERRY FREEZER JAM

Makes 6 - 8oz jars of jam  

Helpful Supplies: Potato masher or hand mixer (the hand mixer is GREAT for the blueberries) and a flat-bottomed bowl for mashing / mixing fruit.

Course Breakfast, Side Dish

Keyword gluten free, kid-friendly cooking, seasonal recipes

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 60

Calories 34kcal

Ingredients

• 6 - 8 oz clean straight-sided jam jars with lids
• 5 cups crushed fruit single berry variety or mix & match
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons Ball Real Fruit Pectin Instant Pectin

Instructions

• Wash fruit and prep. This means remove stems, hull strawberries - if you want to get technical. Make those berries look pretty.
• Place berries into flat-bottomed bowl, one layer at a time and mash, mix, practice a little anger management. Pulverize that fruit using your potato masher or hand mixer. (said with a *smile*)
• In a separate bowl, mix sugar and pectin.
• Add fruit mash to pectin/sugar mixture and stir for 3 minutes.
• Ladle into clean 8 oz jam jars and cover. When filling jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace to allow for food expansion during freezing. Let stand for 30 minutes and use immediately or freeze.

Notes

THAT IS IT!!! DONE! BERRY JAM!! It is good for 3 weeks in your refrigerator or up to a year in your freezer. To defrost, just throw 'er in the fridge. Really, that is it.

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 18mg | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin C: 7.1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Now for the taste test….

EASY PEASY!!! Now it is your turn. Try it out. Seriously, you can do this! The taste of this jam will make it so you never buy a jar of jam again. Fruit from a local farm. Jam made in YOUR kitchen. Low sugar. Save a ton of money. Incredible over-the-top “Mom this tastes like our yummy strawberries from the garden” flavor. Are you sold yet?

Now you can do make freezer jam with Strawberries, Peaches or Pears, Raspberries, Blackberries,  Blueberries or  Cherries. If you use peaches, add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to prevent browning (Ew!).

Make it even EASIER…

Is it possible? Yes. As you gather that amazing fruit in flats over the summer. Clean it, process it, freeze it. Then when you need some jam, make a few jars. No need to have 40 jars filling up your freezer (or to HAVE 40 jars for that matter).

Other uses for this easy peasy berry jam:

•  ice cream topping
• use instead of syrup on pancakes (truthfully, this is how we go through it!)
• throw it in a blender when you are making margaritas (Did I just say that? Yes I did.)
• add it to plain yogurt to lower the sugar content
• toss a little into your smoothies to sweeten them up
• make oatmeal jam bars
• bake fish or chicken with a little on top ( I am thinking salmon with some blackberry jam…)
• add a little vinegar and make an incredible salad dressing

CONTINUE READING IN THE KITCHEN

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The post Easy Peasy Berry Freezer Jam first appeared on BonBon Break.

This summer pick-me-up margarita features sweet, juicy watermelon puree with a spicy kick from fresh jalapeno slices. We’d expect nothing less from Christin of Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Christin says: “Fresh, sweet watermelon puree, lime juice, Triple Sec, and jalapeno-infused tequila make these Jalapeno Watermelon Margaritas super summery and delightful. Infusing liquor with hot peppers is a must try for any lover of heat. The combination of sweet, salty, and spicy will wake up your taste buds and make them say ‘Let’s get this weekend started!'”

Nothing says summer like watermelon, and this fresh cocktail will get you in the spirit of the season.  Celebrate the warmth of summer with a cool drink full of spicy heat! Cheers!

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MORE MOUTHWATERING MARGARITA RECIPES:

• Cucumber-Lime Margaritas
• Chambord Margaritas
• Clementine Margaritas
• Sangrita {Sangria + Margarita}

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I truly have my GENIUS friends to thank for this incredible list and we also have Road Trip Tips to Keep Your Kids Engaged.

Must-Have Items on a Road Trip with Kids

• Baby wipes (mentioned multiple times)
• Road tunes (check out these Pandora Playlists and these fun playlists from Mama’s Morning Groove)
• Healthy snacks (GREAT ideas here)
• Camelbacks
• Sunscreen (link is to our new favorite!)
• Activity books
• Headphones
• Chargers
• First aid kit
• Washcloths in a baggy with bottled water for a refreshing face in the middle of a hot afternoon
• Cameras for the kids
• Audio books or radio theater programs (Side note: Check your local library. They probably do digital lending and include audio books. I download a “family book” to my iPhone that we can listen to together, then add a couple to each of their iPads. Headphones are a must, then!)
• Travel bingo
• Window markers or dry erase markers and paper towels
• Benadryl (Note from a friend: One of my kids had a crazy sudden allergic reaction while we were driving in the middle of nowhere. It was terrifying. Now I keep it in my glove box at all times.)
• Walking shoes and easy slip on shoes
• Magnetic play sets
• Tick kit (tick remover, magnifying glass, antiseptic wipe, Ziploc to seal tick into, rubbing alcohol -to pour into the baggie with the tick, instructions for proper tick removal, identification, tape to label bag with time, and location of bite)
• Yelp app (We have had incredible luck with finding great restaurants!)
• Waze app (This is a MUST! Give it to your kids and let them navigate the way!)
• AAA card
• Travel neck pillows
• Trash bags
• Small bags for grabbing on the go (dry bags and StuffIt sacks are GREAT!)
• Hats
• Chapstick
• Quarters (From a friend: “…quarters for the kids to pay me if there are “incidents” ( which include, poking, hitting, and yelling STOP IT!). You keep your side of the street clean and incident-less, you keep your roll of $$$$.”)
• Lavender oil to keep the driver relaxed.
• Good old-fashioned road map and highlighters
• Laundry detergent
• Rainbow Loom (heh heh – we should probably add fidget spinners, slime and bottles for flipping. Nope.)

Cool products

 Back Seat Organizer

Car Organizer

Nite Ize LED light — the arms are flexible!

From the “Sense of Humor” category:

• Earplugs (funny, but not a bad idea for the kids!)
• Corkscrew (self-explanatory)
• Cheese from a can (no comment)
• Duct tape (this was mentioned several times)

Best advice

From a friend: “Pack the mental attitude that things are going to happen out of your control and that in my experience these perceived negatives can be gateways to unforgettable experiences. Be like water and flow!”

What would you add to the list?

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The post What are the “Must-Have” Items on a Road Trip with Kids? first appeared on BonBon Break.

Margaritas, sangria, whiskey lemonades and Mosow mules, this list is packed with the best drinks to enjoy this summer.

Over 50 cocktails perfect for summer from food bloggers across the country that we love!

 Over 50 Cocktails Perfect for Summer

 Blackberry Vodka Tonics by Life As A Strawberry 

 Nutella Martini by Dining with Alice 

 Raspberry Moscow Mule by Treats and Eats  

 Lavender French 75 by Love and Lemons  

 Strawberry Sangria by Gimme Some Oven  

 Orange Mint Julep by A Communal Table 

 Watermelon Poptini by Snappy Gourmet

 Blue Hawaiian Cocktail by Baking Beauty  

 Key Lime Cooler Cocktail by Perpetually Hungry  

 Blood Orange Mojito by Cooks with Cocktails  

 Grapefruit Paloma by House of Yumm  

Bourbon Arnold Palmers by Dining with Alice 

 Rhubarb Mojito by Living Sweet Moments  

 Blueberry Basil Lemonade by Noshing with the Nolands

 Sweet Whiskey Lemonade by Life As A Strawberry  

 Blueberry Lavender Fizz Cocktail by Betsy Life  

 Orange Creamsicle Cocktail Recipe by Ann’s Entitled Life  

 Beer-Ritas by Chaos is Bliss  

  

Raspberry Strawberry Blended Mimosa by Practical Mommy 

 Sex on the Driveway by Mix That Drink 

 Watermelon Margaritas by Baking Beauty  

  

 

Hibiscus Margarita by A Communal Table

 Strawberry Prosecco Slushie by Snappy Gourmet 

 Blackberry Blue Nectar Bramble by Mix That Drink  

  

 

Strawberry Lemonade Bellini by Damn Delicious

 Easy Sangria  by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

 Smashed Bellini Cocktail by A House in the Hills  

 

 

Pineapple Vanilla Bean Martini by One Sweet Mess

 Spiced Baileys Ice Cream Floats by Sweet Peas and Saffron  

 Cherry Moscow Mules by Wine and Glue  

 

Blackberry Whiskey Lemonade by Life As A Strawberry 

 Rhubarb Cosmopolitans by Dining with Alice  

 Lemon Lime Daiquiri by Dinner with the Rollos  

 

Pineapple Margarita by Val Event Gal

 Riesling Peach and Cherry Slushies by Living Sweet Moments  

 Strawberry Thyme Margaritas by Life As A Strawberry  

 

 

Frozen Pineapple Coconut Rum Cocktail by Betsy Life

 Tropical Rum Punch Recipe by Ann’s Entitled Life  

 Watermelon and Gin Cocktail by Baking Beauty  

 

 

Pina Colada Cocktails by A Communal Table

 Spicy Mango Margaritas by Sweet Peas and Saffron  

 Fig and Lemon Fizz by My Diary of Us 

 

 

Orange Mint Tequila Cocktail by Mind Over Batter

 Jalapeno Watermelon Margarita by Spicy Southern Kitchen  

 Chambord Margarita by Iowa Girl Eats  

 

 

Strawberry Gin and Tonic by Farm Fresh Feasts 

 Kiwi Rum Quencher by Ann’s Entitled Life  

 Red, White and Blueberry Margarita by Gimme Some Oven  

 

 

Grilled Pineapple Jalapeno Margarita by Platings & Pairings

 Blood Orange Bourbon Cocktail by The Little Epicurean  

 Tiki Punch by One Sweet Mess

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Don’t save all of those sweet, ripe strawberries for dessert! They’re great in savory dishes, too. Christine of Cherry on My Sundae shares her fresh, tasty recipe Blackened Chicken and Strawberry Salad.

This flavorful salad makes a perfect summer meal. Spinach, feta, dried cranberries, and lots of fresh strawberries complement the chicken perfectly, and the dish gets extra strawberry goodness from a homemade strawberry vinaigrette.

Christine recommends using “fresh strawberries to really make them shine in the salad. The sweet strawberries with the tangy balsamic vinegar is a great combination, as is almost every fruit with balsamic vinegar!”

With its tantalizing flavors and gorgeous presentation, this simple salad would make a lovely meal to serve guests on a hot summer evening. Enjoy!

Yum

LOVE STRAWBERRIES? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT RECIPES:

• Strawberry Cordial
• No Bake Balsamic Strawberry Tiramisu
• Homemade Strawberry Pie

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Check out the Kitchen for more recipes and tips!

The post Blackened Chicken & Strawberry Salad first appeared on BonBon Break.

When the weather heats up there’s nothing more satisfying in the summer than a refreshing meal that doesn’t require heating up your kitchen. Simple to grill, the sweet fruit is perfect to sear when you are making other meals on the grill. Keep the grilled pineapple stored in the fridge for an easy-to-assemble lunch or dinner salad.

For her Grilled Pineapple Caprese Salad recipe, Betsy balances the sweet and smoky flavors of the pineapple with creamy burrata cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. We love this original twist and simple perfection of this Grilled Pineapple Caprese Salad recipe.

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Just two ingredients and a quick spin in your food processor will have you enjoying this refreshing adult treat. Alice was inspired to create this recipe with a glass of leftover wine from a party. This is a super simple recipe that can be served at a dinner party or on your next Netflix date.

Alice says this about her Cabernet Sorbet, “As moms, we need something super easy to make and also isn’t it nice when you have something just for yourself. I’ve served this as a dinner party palate cleanser (yes, I’m fancy like that), in my backyard for a ladies drink night and I’ve also enjoyed it in my pajamas, sitting on the couch celebrating the kids going to bed at a normal hour.”

We love the simplicity of this recipe and agree that moms deserve an adult-only ice cream treat!

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