Although I'm not a huge drinker of tea, on a hot day, I love a refreshing glass of icy cold tea. To get the party started at a Memorial Day barbecue, I suggest offering each guest a glass of spiked sweet tea upon arrival. I love this recipe because it's sort of like an adult Arnold Palmer. It's a mixture of tea, frozen lemonade concentrate, and vodka. Also stock up on an affordable white wine, like Opala Vinho Verde, and fill an ice bucket with your favorite beer.

To get the recipe for the sweet tea — it's the perfect Summer sipper to enjoy leisurely in the sun — read more

It appears Bravo has decided not to put all of its eggs in the Top Chef franchise basket. Author, New York chef, and onetime dancer Rocco DiSpirito is soon to have his own show, too. Today, the cable network officially introduced the program, Rocco's Dinner Party, on its blog, The Dish.

Each episode will feature four different contestants, from restaurateurs to home cooks, facing off in a three-round cooking elimination. In the first round, contestants will cook their favorite dishes for Rocco; in the second, they'll create an appetizer and concept for the week's assigned dinner party theme; in the last, the two remaining contestants will fashion a complete menu and decor to win.

To me, the concept sounds remarkably similar to Food Network's Chopped — only with parties. Still, I could see how Rocco's star power could make it successful. Will this be the next big cooking hit for Bravo?

When I hear the word scramble, I automatically think of eggs. However, this vegetarian-friendly recipe replaces the eggs with crumbled tofu. The resulting dish, seasoned with chili powder and cilantro, is flavorful and hearty. Feel free to use the recipe loosely, if you prefer red peppers and mushrooms, throw those in place of zucchini and corn. For a complete balanced meal, serve the scramble with warm tortillas and black beans. To look at the savory and satisfying recipe, read more

From the flowers to the music, there are a number of crucial elements to every wedding, but in my opinion, there's nothing more exciting than planning the actual cake. Regardless of whether or not she's looking into cake toppers, the cake tower is sure to be at the top of the bride's mind, and a new book, Wedding Cake Art and Design: A Professional Approach by Toba Garrett ($50), is here to help. I had a chance to preview the book. See my assessments of it when you read more.