Recipes
TASTE THE SUNCOAST...
Whether you're a neighbor in Sarasota or 3,000 miles away in Santa Barbara, Suncoast Girl is sharing these favorite Florida recipes with you! Enjoy!
Coconut Mocha Paradise
Do you dream in coconut? Blend some invigorating coffee beans with a touch of paradise in this cool, frothy, creamy beverage. Makes a dessert all on its own or can be served alongside your favorite sweet treat.
Ingredients:
1 cup iced coffee
Chocolate syrup
Flaked coconut
Whipped cream
Optional: scoop of vanilla, coffee, or chocolate ice cream
To prepare:
Pour iced coffee into a tall glass. Spray on a layer of chocolate syrup and mix. Optional: Scoop in your favorite flavor of ice cream. Drizzle extra chocolate syrup on top and finish with a cloud of whipped cream. Sprinkle coconut flakes on the whipped cream and drink immediately.
PARADISE IN A GLASS!
The Ultimate Key Lime Pie
Key Lime Pie is the signature dessert of the Sunshine State, and it wasn't easy to find the recipe for the ultimate one. This recipe is a combination of sweet cream lace and a tangy, refreshing filling within the shell of a crumbly golden graham cracker crust. Best of all, it's a simple recipe with just 5 ingredients! Whip up this Florida treat for a sweet finish to your next BBQ or dinner party:
Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup of key lime juice
Your favorite whipped cream
1 graham cracker pie crust
Lime zest to taste
To Prepare:
Beat milk, key lime juice and lime zest with your electric mixer on medium speed.
Spoon the mixture into pie crust.
Decorate with whipped topping along the edges.
Optional: garnish with lime peels.
SERVE CHILLED & ENJOY!
Tropical Fruit Cocktail Platters
Don't throw out those extra key lime rinds or unused juice! Instead, use them to dress these fruit cocktail platters that offer a taste of the tropics. Head to your local Suncoast farmer's market and buy the freshest in-season fruits. You might find pineapple, watermelon, papaya, mango and oranges to blend into a chilly, totally sweet and natural treat.
Ingredients:
Your choice of local in-season fruits
Key lime juice for dressing
Lemons for garnish
Optional: sprinkle of sugar on top
Optional: dusting of chopped herbs (basil is ideal and add a pop of green)
Optional: dusting of chopped herbs (basil is ideal and add a pop of green)
To Prepare:
Slice the fruit up or dice into chunks.
Artfully arrange on white porcelain or glass serving platters.
Garnish with lemon slices.
Optional: sprinkle light sugar or herbs on top.
Optional: sprinkle light sugar or herbs on top.
TASTE THE TROPICAL SWEETNESS!
Bow-tie Pasta with Pesto & Florida Tomatoes
Florida is not known for its pasta dishes, but it is known for its delectable tomatoes, which are the second leading crop in the state after oranges. This dish combines the fun shape of bow-tie pasta with fresh basil pesto sauce, ripe Florida tomatoes and a few greens tossed in for good measure.
Ingredients:
1 box of bow-tie pasta (Barilla is Suncoast Girl's pick)
1 container of tomatoes (look for the Product of Florida label)
1 jar of pesto sauce (Again, Barilla makes amazing green basil pesto, or you could break the mold with their sun-dried tomato pesto for an extra vibrant red color in your pasta dish and the perfect complement to your fresh tomatoes).
Optional: salt & pepper to taste
Optional: additional grilled veggies like peppers or asparagus
1 container of tomatoes (look for the Product of Florida label)
1 jar of pesto sauce (Again, Barilla makes amazing green basil pesto, or you could break the mold with their sun-dried tomato pesto for an extra vibrant red color in your pasta dish and the perfect complement to your fresh tomatoes).
Optional: salt & pepper to taste
Optional: additional grilled veggies like peppers or asparagus
To Prepare:
Boil 2 cups of water in a medium sauce pan.
Pour pasta into sauce pan; cook uncovered at medium heat until tender.
Chop tomatoes into slices.
Mix pasta and sauce; toss with tomatoes and a handful of greens (steamed kale or Swiss chard make this dish an irresistible superfood!)
SERVES TWO - OR ONE SERIOUS PASTA LOVER!
Shrimp & Citrus Salad
Seafood and citrus fruits are two of Florida's freshest and most authentic ingredients. This light, healthy salad combines the best of both and makes an elegant presentation. Prepare your taste buds for a refreshing journey!
Ingredients:
1 bag of spring mix lettuces
2 sliced oranges
1 sliced grapefruit
1 cup of grilled shrimp
Optional: sliced almonds for a protein boost
Your favorite citrus vinaigrette
To Prepare:
Toss ingredients with dressing in large mixing bowl. Serve immediately.
DIG IN!
Suncoast Girl Smoothie
On hot summer days in Southwest Florida, sun coasters like to cool down with vitamin-packed smoothies. This personal favorite blends Florida orange juice and unsweetened almond milk for a beverage that's nutrish and delish!
Ingredients:
2 frozen bananas, precut into slices1 cup orange juice
1 orange, cut into chunks
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Optional: 1 tsp vanilla extract
To Prepare:
Mix all ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth and creamy. Garnish with a whole strawberry and orange slice.
SIP & SAVOR!