Mellow & Magnificent Castelvetrano Olives: How To Enjoy Them

[1] Castelvetrano olives served with drinks at Maiden Lane | NYC (photo © Maiden Lane). [2] We could eat the whole bowl (photo © Musco Food). [3] Castelvetrano olives, cherry tomatoes, and garlic sautéed in EVOO make a delicious snack, appetizer, or topping for proteins and grains.   Olive connoisseurs love Castelvetrano olives (pronounced kah-stell-veh-TRAH-no).…
Continue reading “Mellow & Magnificent Castelvetrano Olives: How To Enjoy Them”

JULY 4TH FOOD: Red, White & Blue Sorbet Float

What happens the day after Father’s Day? We start planning our Independence Day menu. Tee up this Red, White & Blue Sorbet Float for July 4th or any hot summer day. The recipe is courtesy Van Gogh Vodka and uses Van Gogh Açai-Blueberry Vodka. But if you have another blueberry-flavored vodka at home (or a…
Continue reading “JULY 4TH FOOD: Red, White & Blue Sorbet Float”

TIP OF THE DAY: More Affordable Champagne Cocktails

A yummy Prosecco cocktail that can be adapted into a mocktail. Photo courtesy Harvard Common Press.   Champagne cocktails make any occasion more festive. And they don’t require Champagne, per se, but can use more affordable bubblies such as Prosecco and Asti Spumante from Italy, Cava from Spain and Sekt from Germany. You can also…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: More Affordable Champagne Cocktails”

TIP OF THE DAY: Shredding Cheese

If you’re fond of making cheese omelets, chili, pizza, quesadillas and other dishes requiring shredded cheese, you may have noticed that shredding semisoft cheeses can be more taxing than it should be. Cheese gets stuck in the large holes of the box grater, requiring ongoing unclogging. Here are two solutions: Spray the grater with nonstick…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Shredding Cheese”

COOKING VIDEO: Hibiscus Punch

  Hibiscus is a popular ingredient in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Mexico. It’s used in beverages, salads, side dishes and desserts, among other things. It’s way overdue to break out in the U.S. Along with our Top Pick Of The Week—hibiscus iced tea—try this hibiscus punch, known in Egypt as karkadé (pronounced…
Continue reading “COOKING VIDEO: Hibiscus Punch”