The other day, I cohosted a barbecue so, of course, I served a signature cocktail. As an added challenge, the barbecue was actually a baby shower, and the guest of honor was pregnant. So I searched for a recipe that would be just as refreshing without booze as with it.
I dug this recipe out of my recipe file, ripped out of InStyle magazine years ago and just waiting for its moment. It's great for big groups since it can be made in large batches, and I like that it uses vodka instead of the usual rum, since I have a lot of friends who find rum off-putting. It's very tart and sufficiently sweet, and without the vodka, it's just a minty homemade lemonade. To get the recipe, read more
We started off our social calendars this week by hitting up the BevMo wine sale. Of course, we couldn't miss this season's second episode of The Hills. PartySugar's also been busy planning her own birthday bash — it's going to be great! — and I hit up the book launch party of one of my favorite chefs. Have you had your finger on the pulse of what's going on at YumSugar? Take our quiz to find out!
In the Summer, I prefer to eat light flavors and — especially if it's as hot as it is in San Francisco today — avoid the oven as much as possible. For these reasons, I'm obsessed with my Calphalon grill pan, possibly the best $40 investment in the world. What about you? Are you a frequent user of the grill pan?
Grilled kabobs are ideal for a family of picky eaters. Arrange an assortment of ingredients and invite everyone to make a skewer to his or her liking. The vegetarian can avoid meat, and the mushroom-hater will gladly load his skewer with onions and roasted red peppers. This recipe calls for a mild, firm fish, so choose your favorite, be it halibut, salmon, or swordfish. To look at this crowd-pleasing recipe, read more
I'm hosting my birthday party at a chic city bar, but I'll be bringing my own decorations to create a unifying theme for the bash. I'll use pink accessories to go with the invitations, including pink votive holders, flamingo toothpicks for the finger food, pink lilies, and handmade pink pom poms hung from the ceiling.
On the tables, I'll lay out placemats and pretty matchbooks for the guests to take home as favors. These curved saucer martini glasses will be perfect for both the featured cocktail and a champagne toast. And of course, I can't forget an elegant dessert dish for the yummy chocolate cake.
To promote the start of college football season and the inaugural Chick-fil-A College Kickoff game, Chick-fil-A is giving away its new and improved (that is, larger) Chick-n-Strips for free on Labor Day, Sept.1.
The catch? While you don't have to get decked out in a cow suit, the deal only stands for customers who show up wearing football team attire. Wear any football team logo and get one free order of Chick-n-Strips (three count) anytime from 10:30 a.m. to close at participating locations.
Have you tasted the chicken from this cult favorite? Will you be trying to score some free chicken strips?
The other day, I cohosted a barbecue so, of course, I served a signature cocktail. As an added challenge, the barbecue was actually a baby shower, and the guest of honor was pregnant. So I searched for a recipe that would be just as refreshing without booze as with it.
Rick Cardona
Mon Showroom
Just Cavalli