The owner of my local strawberry stand recently let me know that their first batch of organic blueberries were just picked. I got so excited that I headed over yesterday to pick up both the juicy red strawberries and the pop in your mouth bright blueberries. Much can be done with the berries: they can be folded into batters or pureed into sauces, however I'm in the mood to enjoy them in their pure and original state. A big bowl of berries, whatever kind you have access to, makes for the perfect light and fresh ending to a heavier meal. Drizzle a little creme anglaise over the top and you are in for one decadently simple and divine dessert. Make it tonight and enjoy the sauce all week, read more

This weekend I went to a new pal's birthday bash and wow does she know how to entertain! The table had a nice spread of local quiches, breads, meats and more, but my favorite nibbles - the ones I literally had to tell myself "STOP. BACK AWAY. YOU LOOK LIKE A PIG!" - were the Clairesquares - a delicious three layer concoctions consisting of buttery shortbread, smooth caramel and fine Belgian chocolate. I've had combinations like this before, but these were amazing. They're made with 100% preservative free ingredients and contain no trans fatty acids. If you like chocolate, caramel, shortbread and all things delicious, then do yourself a favor and order a pack. Actually, you should order two, you'll thank me later. A pack of five squares is available for $12.

If you'd rather make your own, we've got a recipe for something similiar, to check it out, just read more

Are you watching this season's reality cooking shows and thinking to yourself, "Hey, I could do that?" Well, if you are, then pack your knives, even though season 3 just started, Top Chef 4 auditions begin soon. - via They Cook. We Dish.

A few weeks ago I attended the closing gala for San Francisco's Cocktail Week. The event was a casual happy hour spotted with lovely specialty drinks by the talented Absinthe Bar bartenders. The party served as closure to the week, as well as a release party for Art of the Bar, a cocktail book by the Absinthe bartenders. So naturally, they were showing off some of their specialty drinks.

I was lucky enough to experience several different selections, but the one I was gaga for was called French 75 - a champagne cocktail made with gin and citrus juice. If you've never had one, treat yourself tonight. It's simple, it's classy, it's tasty. Get the recipe, just read more

Summer has arrived and with it my desire for all things blended and tropical. Margaritas, daiquiris, piña coladas... you name it and I'll be making them at one of my parties this summer. There's only one problem: I don't have any fabulous glasses to serve these cool cocktails in! The glass is an integral part of making the drink memorable, so I need you to help me find the perfect ones for frozen drinks. I already have red and white wine glasses, champagne flutes, water goblets, and martini glasses but my collection lacks one for those summer cocktails. So, save your glasses in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Frozen Drink Glasses. I can't wait to see the great glasses you discover!

To better understand how to use this fun feature, read geeksugar's guide to bookmarking on TeamSugar.

This week on "The Next Food Network Star" the contestants were faced with two interesting challenges. First they had to present one section of a recipe in front of the camera, and then they had to come up with a signature grill dish. I must say, I was actually entertained by this episode, the editing and pacing were comfortable, and unlike last week's ludicrous wedding challenge, the challenges really seemed like a good way to determine a new star. Plus, having Giada de Laurentiis as this week's host/judge was a nice treat. To see what happened this week and find out who got kicked off, read more

Drying wine glasses can sometimes be a pain. Towels can leave awful streaks and lint, and sitting them on the counter causes condensation spots to form, and besides the lip is making a perfect seal with the counter meaning there's no air coming in to help out. Just imagine, if only there was a way to get air flowing into the glass... Turns out there is and it's one of those "'Doh! Why didn't I think of that?" tricks. To dry your wine glasses, just set down two chopsticks parallel on top of a dishtowel and place the glass on top! Square shaped chopsticks work best, but as long as you set them far enough apart, the round ones work too.

Got a wine glass drying tip for us? Share it below!

If I cook mushrooms (like the ones in yesterday's portabella mushroom burgers, I usually try to make just enough so that they'll all be consumed that same day. However, if I have any leftover, I'll dice them up and toss them into a salad, or warmed-up and sliced into an omelette. Own of my other favorite things to do is toss it into pasta. If you've got any mushrooms leftover, or are just looking for a simple weekday dish, then read more

Since my little sister is graduating on Father's Day, my dad and I agreed to postpone the real father's day festivities until the following weekend - just in time for a big, local Nascar race. To celebrate dad, I'm inviting all of his buddies (and mine) for a chic picnic at the car races. Since they take place in Sonoma, it will be more of a wine and sandwich party rather than a beer and hot dog sort of thing. To start things off I'm making the invitation, a red, white, and black affair so come party with me, just read more