Recipe Corner: Frappes and Pasta
There a few things about myself that I cannot deny.
One – I have a terrible sweet tooth.
Two – I’m frugal.
These two factors came into play as I took to the kitchen to create a few custom recipes.
Hey. Stop laughing. I can TOO create stuff in the kitchen and not burn it!
I don’t claim to be creative in the kitchen at all. DH makes most of the meals. Yes, I like to cook but it just seems like more often than not, I manage to mess things up. So when I have the opportunity to create just one item at a time and truly focus, I don’t do too bad. I’m just not great at multi-tasking… in the kitchen.
My challenge was to create two recipes using Nestle Coffee-Mate creamers. One to mimic a coffee house drink and the other something more unique. Seeing as I don’t like to spend a lot of money, creating something to replace the frappe at the coffee shop seemed like a great idea. I headed to Walmart and picked up the needed ingredients and returned home excited about my new recipes.
Know what? I nailed it. Know how I know? Because DH liked it, too. And he’s not a fan of coffee drinks unless they’re the equivalent of a milkshake and don’t taste like coffee.
Not only is this drink inexpensive, it’s delicious. And easy. With only 5 ingredients, two of those to create the yummy topping on the drink and one being ice, it’s really only a two-ingredient drink.
Yeah. EASY. Can’t really mess up with only two ingredients!
Here’s the quick and easy tutorial for making one large drink:
Peppermint Mocha Frappe
4 oz Coffee-Mate Peppermint Mocha Creamer
2 Tbsp Mocha Cappuccino Mix (I prefer Daily Chef from Sam’s Club)
3 Cups Ice Cubes
Optional – Whipped Cream and Sugar/Chocolate Sprinkles for topping
Heat 4 ounces of Coffee-Mate Peppermint Mocha Creamer in the microwave. Time varies by microwave but it only needs to be hot enough to dissolve the mocha mix.
Stir in 2 tablespoons mocha mix until completely dissolved. Fill blender or container with 3 cups ice cubes. Add creamer mix to the ice and blend to desired consistency.
Add to tall glass and top with whipped cream and chocolate sugar sprinkles. (I also used a zester to shave some chocolate from one of the kids chocolates.)
Add a straw and enjoy!
For a version that is a little more kid-friendly, replace the mocha cappuccino mix with hot chocolate powder. We made one using Coffee-Mate Hazelnut and hot chocolate and the girls loved it!
As for a second recipe, I decided to go with something a little heartier. Pasta. Being Italian, I could eat pasta every day. But I don’t. It’s more of a treat. I searched for recipes that used pasta, vegetables, cream and hazelnuts and found one that sounded pretty good on BettyConfidential. I modified it to fit my needs and am thrilled with how it turned out. The kids even loved it and didn’t complain one bit about the fact it has spinach in it!
Penne with Spinach & Hazelnut Creme
12 oz package Ronzoni Garden Delight Penne
3 Tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1/2 cup Coffee-Mate Hazelnut Creamer
6 oz Goat Milk Cheese (I used a solid cheese, a crumble would work better!)
2 Cloves Garlic
Juice of half a lemon (I used imitation lemon juice)
6 oz Baby Spinach Leaves
Cook the pasta according to package directions. While that is cooking, being to prepare the sauce.
This is a pretty quick recipe so plan accordingly. Measure the ingredients.
Melt the butter in a large skillet. When melted, add the heavy cream and Coffee-Mate creamer to the pan. Warm until it reduces a little, approximately 5 minutes. Add the goat cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Add the garlic and lemon juice as well as salt and pepper to taste.
Drain the pasta well then pour it into the cream mixture. Next come the greens. Stir the spinach and pasta until they are completely mixed in. The spinach will warm and wilt a little.
Serve and enjoy!
Next time you see Coffee-Mate creamer on sale, grab some extra and think outside the (coffee) cup!
For more information on Nestle Coffee Mate products, visit their website or find them socially on Facebook and Twitter. A coupon for Coffee-Mate can be found online so be sure to print it before heading to the store!
I was surprised that you created a pasta dish. I admire your creativity.
oh yum!!! adding to list of things to make
Yum! this is something I’m def going to be making with my husband and I. Thanks so much for sharing!
OMG that all looks amazing! YUM!
Mmmm those both look so good! My scratchy throat could use a cold drink like that right now.
Oh that pasta looks FANTASTIC! I’ve been known to use creamer if I’m out of milk or cream!!! hahaha! 🙂 Whatever works, right? Thanks for sharing!
I could use a peppermint frappe right about now. Oh my that looks so good.
That pasta looks heavenly!!
These both look super yummy! I love all things peppermint and never would have thought to use creamer in pasta sauce.
Whipped Cream is NEVER optional!
That is so funny, I thought I was the only person who uses coffee creamer like milk in recipes! LOL! I love making Frappes at home, it saves us so much money!
Wow, I never thought to make pasta sauce with a coffee creamer! How brilliant! that Penne with Spinach looks amazing.
Whip cream should be it’s own food group. Just sayin’
😉
I never though of using this with pasta, but this looks amazing I would love to try it.
I will not stop drooling on my monitor!! I want both of those recipes in my belly. Never thought of a hazelnut sauce on pasta — YUM!
So clever to create a pasta dish, I’ve never thought of using coffee creamer that way but it certainly makes sense. And looks delish!
I never would have thought to cook with it! What a great idea!
I love Frappe’s, I bought this creamer at Christmas and it was so tasty in my iced coffee!
Oh my! They both look wonderful! I want to try them both. I don’t think they would come out looking as tasty if I were to make them, but I will certainly try!
I’m so surprised that the hazelnut creamer is in your pasta dish! I often keep it on hand for my tea but never once considered using it in a food recipe. Yummy!
That pasta looks absolutely delicious! I love anything with goat cheese in it.
That Peppermint Frappe Mocha looks really great. My husband really loves mochas. 🙂
The pasta dish looks like a winner to me. I love everything in it!
That pasta looks delicious!
I would have never thought about using Coffee Mate in a savory dish. Interesting!!
Those are both great recipes…thanks for sharing.
My Husband is going to love the frappe. He is a huge fan of mochas
I love pasta! I would be interested to see what the hazelnut creme flavor tastes like with the pasta.
Where I come from a frappe isn’t necessarily coffee….it’s whatever flavor ice cream you want it in.
Looks like you did an awesome job for not being a cook. I love frappes at Starbucks but that can cost way too much going there all the time, so I’ll need to try out your recipe. Thanks!
These recipes are so clever! I never would have thought about using these creamers in anything but my coffee. My fridge is almost never without Coffee-Mate Hazelnut creamer. And, I just happen to have some spinach and penne on hand.
oh wow! both these recipes look so delicious!! but that Peppermint Mocha Frappé is to die for
That frappe looks delicious and I never knew how to make one at home. I’m going to try this recipe here at home.
I wanna live with you. I would gain weight fast. You are such an amazing cook!
I know when I’m hungry or thirsty where to go, I’m going to head over to your place. That loos great both of them.
Would love to try both of these! The frappe looks delicious. I was just looking for Coffee Mate in the store. I guess the Fat Free Sugar Free is great for adding flavor to recipes without all the calories.
I see you have your little chefs helping you. The pasta looks delicious, really nice and creamy!
Dang…how’d you know I was drooling?!?! Adding hazelnut cream to a pasta recipe is so unique. I’m going to have to try it out for myself.
I will have to make this one for myself. My husband will not eat anything with Goats Milk Cheese because it usually makes things too rich. I will give it a try and see if I can convince him, I am curious about the coffee mate and how the flavor turns out using it.
I would have never thought to use coffee creamer in pasta, but that Penne with Spinach and Hazelnut looks absolutely delish. Adding to my recipes.
I’ve always used tomato based sauces so this one is a huge stretch for me! Have you tried it with other Coffee-Mate flavors or would you recommend just sticking with the Hazelnut flavor?
I’ve only tried the Hazelnut but I think their Sweet Cream would work also.
I never thought to add to pasta before. I am going to give it a try. Looks yummy (kim)
I was really surprised to see Coffee Mate in a pasta dish but it looks delicious. I like to think outside the box when creating dishes too. Now I want to come over for dinner. 🙂
I can’t believe you used a creamer in a pasta dish – so surprising, but makes total sense!
That pasta dish looks fantastic, and easy too. I am going to show this to my Dauther and let her try making it..
The pasta and spinach recipe looks soooo good. Thanks for sharing.
I love how you incorporated Coffee Mate into your recipes. I could so go for that Peppermint Frappe right about now!
My mom is a huge Coffee Mate lover, though she only used it in her coffee. Who knew you could use it for cooking too!? I’ll have to tell her about these recipes!
Ok I did not know you could use coffee mate to cook with . this is really awesome I am going to try this. YUM!!
I can so relate to you. I love sweets but at the same time I cut back as much as I can due to the economy. Your frappe looks so tasty.
I am not a fan of coffee drinks either but this one looks absolutely delicious. From reading this post, I can tell that you love to create in your kitchen. The pasta dish with spinach looks yummy too and I love that you have a helper.
Yum! I am going to have to try both! I love pasta, and I think the incorporation of spinach into the pasta dish looks fabulous! This is going on my to-do list.
That pasta looks amazing. Yum! Thanks for sharing.
I never thought about using creamer in anything other than coffee. These look pretty tasty!
Put spinach and pasta together and I am always a fan! I have never thought about using flavored creamer in recipes
That penne with spinach looks amazing! I think I was drooling for real
Wow this looks really great! I’ll have to try it out. Yumm drink. That looks fantastic
Oh man that pasta looks so good. I never thought to use creamer!!!
This pasta… Oh my! That made me so hungry just looking at it! Thanks for the reminder to not drool! I’ve never thought to use coffee creamer in regular dishes like that.
We absolutely love pasta in our house so I will have to give this a try. I’m sure the kids would love it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I am actually drooling looking at the picture of Penne with spinach. I am saving this recipe because I know I will have to make this soon.
I think almost everything is better when it’s homemade! Love the Frappe! OOO and that Penne with Spinach & Hazelnut Creme looks amazing!
That Peppermint Mocha Frappe looks ah-mazing! I never thought about using creamer in a pasta sauce – such a good idea!
Totally drooling now! I have a sweet tooth as well & that frappe is so easy!
Oh I love the way you prepared the pasta with spinach! I will add that next time for my Friday cooking. Thank yoU!
Now this is something I’d love to give a try – looks so yummmy!
Who knew you could use coffee-mate hazelnut cream in a delish recipe like this. Wow looks amazing. Love how you used all these ingredients. Wonder if I could add a little broccoli.
The frappe looks so good! Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for the post.
I love pasta! This would be fun to try
The Penne with Spinach sounds looks soo good and I love peppermint, so I must try the Peppermint Mocha Frappe!!!
I will have to try this out!
These recipes look very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
I’m guessing you don’t have a lemon tree in your back yard 🙂 I didn’t known there was such a thing as imitation lemon juice.