How to make ice cubes

Yep, for some reason I am the only one in my house that knows how to do this, so I was thrilled when my fridge did it for me! For those of you who don't have a servant fridge...

Ice Cubes

By CHRISSYG on April 14, 2010

Photo by Peter Quale

1035 Reviews

• 
• Prep Time: 2 mins
• Total Time: 2 hrs 2 mins
• Yield: 2 trays

About This Recipe

"I'm publishing this recipe because I'm sure that there are other families who have members, who don't know how or have forgotten how to make ice when the ice tray is empty."

Ingredients

• 2 cups water ( approximately)
• 2 tablespoons water ( additional if needed)

Directions

1. Empty the ice cubes that are left in the trays (if there are any left) into the bin.
2. Take the trays over to the sink and fill them with cold water.
3. Place the water filled ice trays back in the freezer.
4. Replace the ice bin if you had to remove it.
5. Shut the door to the freezer.

How to boil water

Well Saucy is amazingly busy today, so as any good Bestie would do I said I would cover for her.  I didn't tell her it would be anything exceptional or wowing though.  Just in case I couldn't pull off anything exceptional or wowing. Make sure you leave Saucy a note below to let her know you are thinking of her and her crazy life!  She could use the good words!  Now onto the nonexceptional and nonwowoing recipe! 


This recipe was found over at Food.com by Sharon123


How to Boil Water
(seriously, had to teach my Residents this)

Ingredients

• water
• salt (optional)

Directions

1. Open your cupboard or wherever it is you store your cookware.
2. Locate a 12-quart stockpot. If you do not have a 12-quart stockpot, you may use whatever size pot you have; in that event, keep in mind that serving size here is 1 cup and there are 4 cups in a quart. Do the math.
3. Place your pot in the sink under the tap. If you have never used a sink before, it is the large depression in your counter top. (If you live with someone else, they may have filled it with dirty dishes; in this case, wash them or simply remove them from the sink and place them in the oven — someone else will eventually discover them there and wash them.).
4. Turn the cold-water knob to the "on" position. Some people (like my dad) prefer to let the water run a little bit. This is optional but encouraged — if it's a hot day or someone has previously used the "hot" water knob, the warmer water will eventually be replaced by truly cold water.
5. Fill stockpot to within a couple inches of the rim.
6. Lift stockpot from sink and transfer to stove. (Although appearances may vary, the stove is the thing with 4 or more circular metal bands on top of it; alternately, it may be a completely flat black glass surface. If you are unsure, ask your family, roommate, or neighbor for guidance.).
7. Find knob on stove that corresponds to the "burner" you have placed your pot on. In addition to words like "Right Front" or "Left Rear," there are usually little pictures near the knobs to indicate position.
8. Turn knob to "High" and wait until water boils. Depending on strength of your stove and amount of water, the boiling time may vary. Note: DO NOT WATCH THE POT; it will never boil in the event that you do.
9. Boiled water may be used for any number of applications. Serve hot but do not drink.

Beverages!

Before I get started just wanted to point out some changes to the blog!  On the left hand side you will see an About Us button.  For those of you who started with us that is just our intro from the beginning.  If you are new here, go check it out and see who is in charge of the Asylum!  Also, if the search box doesn't work for you, scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and you can see all the labels we have for our recipes!  Maybe you will find inspiration there!  Thanks again to everyone who has come to hang out at the Asylum table!

Now on to the fun!  We had a reader request for low calorie coffee drinks or teas, something different to get you through those hot summer days that are already here!  We would like to again apologize to our reader for your comment slipping through the Asylum cracks!
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Water and Tea

I just bought myself a cute pitcher at Target that looks like an old cream can.  It will be used a lot this summer.  We usually keep lots of drinks ready so we are not going to the soda fridge and our kids are only able to have them once in awhile.  We keep that fridge in the basement so we have to really want it to go all the way down there to get it!

Our go to is plain old water with fruits in them.  Fruit infused water, that's what it is called!  You can buy pitchers that have a separate area that the fruit goes into, or like so many on the internet use mason jars with lids!  They are portable, ready to go and can be thrown in a cooler for a summer trip!

Some ideas:
Lemon and or lime slices
Strawberries and kiwi
Cucumber
Orange and Lemon (my favorite)
Apple slices and a stick of cinnamon
Strawberry jalapeno

If none of those sound good to you, head over to Infused Waters and get some ideas!

My new pitcher will be filled with Tazo Iced Green Tea most of the summer and I like to add lemon slices and a little honey to make it sweeter, but I have been know to add whatever fruit is in my fridge!  Any tea that you make hot can be made cold as well, just follow the directions on the box.  Watch your sweeteners that is where we tend to get into trouble!
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Coffee

If you are a coffee drinker just make your favorite coffee and let it cool completely.  The better quality coffee you use the better the results!  Add ice to your cup and add your milk, this is where the calories and fat come from, so choose wisely or skip it all together!  Then add your flavoring, I have used everything from flavorings made specifically for coffee drinks and coffee creamers to what ever I find in my fridge.  The flavorings can be found in your coffee aisle.  They have plenty of sugar free or low calorie flavorings to choose from!  You can add a zero or low calorie sweetener to your drink as well, but I would stick to raw sugar-it worked for our ancestors!  Add whip cream-it is low in calories and fat!

If you want your coffee drink to be a more slushy/frap consistency, throw it all in a blender and give it a spin!  You can even add protein powders to make it a healthy choice!

If you are a Starbuck's customer HERE is a link showing you how to order your drinks low calorie!
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Lemonade

Why do I always picture a 50s housewife taking lemonade out to her husband that is mowing the lawn?

Ever tried Carrot Lemonade?  A friend made this for me once and I found the recipe HERE!  It was very yummy! 

I don't know where I found this recipe--

Fresh Mint and Ginger Lemonade1/2 c (packed) chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 c Chopped fresh ginger
1/3 c Honey
2 c Boiling water
1/3 c Fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 c (about) cold water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves
Lemon slices
Combine chopped mint, ginger and honey in medium bowl. Add boiling water. Let steep 30 minutes. Strain into 4-C glass measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract liquid. Add lemon juice and enough cold water to measure 4 C total. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Fill glasses with ice cubes. Add lemonade. Garnish with mint leaves.

One of my favorite blogs-Alice in Wonderland has a great homemade low sugar lemonade!
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This isn't a low calorie drink, but it is one of my favorites in the summer time.  Right up there with Chocolate Cherry Cokes! 

June Bug

Better Homes and Garden

 

Ingredients

3 cups ginger ale

4 tablespoons grenadine

4 tablespoons orange juice

3 scoops orange sherbet

Directions

1. Blend together ginger ale, grenadine, orange juice, and sherbet. Pour into ice-filled cocktail glasses. (To make a version with alcohol, add white rum.)

Note: If you are a alcohol drinker, you can add a flavored rum to this!

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I hope that helps and didn't make you even more confused!  It has been a crazy day here at the Asylum as I write this! Summer vacation is in full swing!  Do you think they will make my white jacket a pretty turquoise one?