Minted Citrus Punch

What better way to wrap up hot summer reading week, than with a cool recipe from Company's Coming?

This homemade punch is sweet and refreshing with a hint of mint.

What you need;

* Can of mandarin orange segments (with 10 oz. 284 mL juice)
* Boiling water 4 cups (1 L)
* Fresh mint leaves 1 cup (250 mL)
* Peel of medium orange, white pith removed, cut into strips
* Peel of medium lemon, white pith removed, cut into strips
* Can of frozen concentrated lemonade, 12 1/2 oz. (355 mL) partially thawed
* Can of frozen concentrated orange juice, 12 1/2 oz. (355 mL) partially thawed
* Grapefruit soft drink 4 cups (1 L )

Spoon mandarin orange segments and juice into ice cube tray for a total of about 12 cubes (see Note). Freeze for at least 4 hours until firm.

Pour boiling water into large heatproof bowl. Add mint and both peels. Stir. Cover. Let stand for 1 hour.

Strain mint mixture through sieve into small punch bowl. Discard solids. Add remaining 3 ingredients. Stir gently. Add frozen mandarin orange cubes. Makes about 10 1/2 cups (2.6 L). Serves 18.

1 serving: 111 Calories; 0.1 g Total Fat (0 g Mono, 0 g Poly, 0 g Sat); 0 mg Cholesterol; 28 g Carbohydrate; trace Fibre; 1 g Protein; 9 mg Sodium

Note: Add fresh mint leaves to mandarin orange segments in ice cube tray before freezing for extra colour and flavour.

Reprinted with permission by Company's Coming

Soup for Summer?

It's officially summer and what better way to kick it off than with Melon Berry Soup by Company's Coming. It's as yummy as it is pretty.

The colours in this vibrant soup excite the eye and the palate. Serve in chilled bowls for a light, refreshing dessert on a hot summer evening.

What You Need:

Chopped ripe cantaloupe ~ 5 cups - 1.25 L
White grape juice ~ 1 cup - 250 mL
Lemon juice ~ 2 tbsp. - 30 mL

Fresh (or frozen, thawed) raspberries 1 1/2 cups - 375 mL
White grape juice ~ 1/3 cup - 75 mL

Process first 3 ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl. Chill, covered, for at least 2 hours until cold. Makes about 4 1/2 cups (1.1 L).

Process raspberries and second amount of grape juice in blender or food processor until smooth. Strain through sieve into small bowl. Discard seeds. Chill, covered, for at least 2 hours until cold.

Drizzle over individual servings. Serves 6.

1 serving: 96 Calories; 0.6 g Total Fat (trace Mono, 0.1 g Poly, trace Sat); 0 mg Cholesterol; 24 g Carbohydrate; 3 g Fibre; 2 g Protein; 13 mg Sodium

Reprinted with permission by Company's Coming; http://www.companyscoming.com/