TIP OF THE DAY: Summer Cheeses

[1] Yellow tomato Caprese Salad (photo courtesy Elegant Affairs Caterers | FB. [2] Artistic Caprese Salad (photo courtesy Great Performances | FB). [3] Watermelon Caprese Salad. You can also use mango and other stone fruits (photo courtesy Watermelon.org).   On the hot days of summer, lighten up on your cheeses. Switch the heavier blues, cheddars…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Summer Cheeses”

TIP OF THE DAY: Mix Up Some Coolers

[1] Blackberry cooler (photo courtesy FreidaFroo.Wordpress.com). [2] A peach wine cooler (here’s the recipe from TasteOfHome.com). [3] Watermelon cooler with green tea and white wine (photo courtesy Serendipitea.com). [4] Commercial wine coolers: the lowest common denominator (photo courtesy Majestic Brands).   WHAT’S A COOLER? Short for wine cooler, a cooler is a tall drink typically…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Mix Up Some Coolers”

TIP OF THE DAY: Watermelon Salad

Watermelon is one of the edible geniuses in the Cucurbitaceae family, also called the gourd family. The most important family members comprise five genuses: Citrullus: watermelon and some other melons. Cucurbita: squash (including pumpkin), summer squash (yellow squash, zucchini), some gourds. Cucumis: cucumber, some melons.   Non-edible members include: Lagenaria: inedible (decorative) gourds Luffa/loofah: a…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Watermelon Salad”

TIP OF THE DAY: Throw A National S’mores Day Party

[1] Classic S’mores (photo courtesy Dandies vegan marshmallows [they’re great]. [2] Gourmet S’mores made with a Petit Écolier chocolate-topped biscuit and a chocolate chocolate chip marshmallow (photo courtesy Plush Puffs gourmet marshmallows). [3] No-Bake S’mores Pie (photo courtesy Brown Eyed Baker; here’s the recipe).   August 10th is National S’mores Day—that warm, gooey delight for…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Throw A National S’mores Day Party”

TIP OF THE DAY: Combine Summer Fruits & Vegetables

[1] Mix summer fruits and vegetables into a salad or a grain bowl (recipe below; photo courtesy Elegant Affairs Caterers). [2] Use the “bundt technique” to neatly remove the corn kernels (photo courtesy SimplyRecipes.com).   Mix it up this summer. Beyond fruit salads and mixed grilled vegetables, combine the two produce groups into new concepts.…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Combine Summer Fruits & Vegetables”