June is National Iced Tea month and with the warm weather and long, lazy days, there's no better time for a thirst-quenching glass of iced tea. While making iced tea can be as simple as pouring fresh brewed tea over a tall pitcher of ice, there are hundreds of more complex varieties. I've scoured the Internet for the most innovative recipes. Here you'll find seven of my favorites; these are the iced teas I plan on sipping all Summer long.
Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Pasta With Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese
When it comes to baked pastas, most people think of lasagna or macaroni and cheese. However, ziti, a thick, tubular pasta, is ideal for baking, especially when coated with a dense, rich sauce.
This comforting version is made with turkey sausage and canned tomatoes. It's a no-fuss, simple dish that's sure to win over even the most finicky eaters. To make this for your family tonight, get the delicious MyRecipes.com recipe and read more
Come Party With Me: Waterpark Party — Drinks
Lately I've been into making cocktails with rum. I'm sick of vodka drinks and have since started experimenting with the Latin libation. For the waterpark party, I plan on mixing up this refreshing rum punch. It looks like lemonade, so if anyone asks what we're sipping that will be our quick reply! This potent cocktail, from the inventive minds of MyRecipes.com, is a blend of rum, brandy, and pineapple, orange, and grapefruit juices. To make it more thirst quenching, I'll float a splash of sparkling water on top.
Get the tantalizing recipe when you, read more
Come Party With Me: Waterpark Party — Desserts
Although we will be splashing around in bathing suits, I want to offer my friends one decadent treat at my waterpark party. A chocolatey brownie — kept cold in a cooler — is deliciously rich.
This wonderful recipe, from our friends at MyRecipes.com, is simple and straightforward. I'm not a fan of walnuts in brownies, so I'll substitute chocolate chips! To learn how to make this portable picnic dessert, read more
Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled-Salmon Salad
During the Summer, I try to consume as many dinner salads as possible. This grilled salmon salad, from the wonderful minds of MyRecipes.com, is healthy yet filling. The salmon is marinated in a fragrant spice rub before being quickly cooked on the grill. A tomato vinaigrette adds freshness while goat cheese provides a creamy texture. Pine nuts and green onions are a necessary crunch that balance out the buttery texture of the salmon. For the simple yet scrumptious recipe, read more
Fast & Easy Dinner: Thai Chicken with Basil
Take advantage of Summer's bounty of fresh basil with this fragrant recipe. If you have access to different types of basil, use both classic basil and lemony Thai basil. To make this quick meal chicken chunks are cooked with garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and Asian fish sauce. The basil is added at the last minute. This delicious dinner from our friends at MyRecipes.com is perfect for a weeknight. Learn how it's made and read more
Come Party With Me: Summer Solstice — Dessert
After serving the Italian style meal at your summer solstice dinner, wait at least a half an hour before offering guests dessert. Set up a decadent dessert buffet with fresh berries and store bought sorbet. Supplement the menu with one show stopping, homemade dessert. A cold, creamy chocolate silk pie is rich and delicious. The pie has to be made in advance making it an ideal finish to a party. To check out the recipe, which I found on MyRecipes.com, read more
A Delicious Dessert Without All the Fat
Rarely do I find a recipe whose ingredient list calls for reduced- or nonfat milk. I've always thought for the best results — especially when it comes to desserts — whole-fat milk should be used. However, when I saw this recipe for a rich, creamy, decadent crème brulee — that's made with 2 percent milk, I knew I had to give it a try. The process is simple, but takes some time because the vanilla bean steeps in the milk. To look at the recipe, a great one from MyRecipes.com, read more
Fast & Easy Dinner: Thai Steak Salad
To get non-veggie-eating meat lovers to consume more greens, consider making this recipe. It's a flavorful steak salad that combines the best of both worlds. With its Thai style ingredients and structure, this salad is wildly delicious. The dressing is a mix of lime juice, fresh ginger, and chili paste and the salad is packed with fresh herbs and crunchy red cabbage. Thanks to MyRecipes.com you can experiment with this scrumptious salad tonight. Get the recipe when you read more
Not Your Regular Nachos: Creamy Adobo Chip Nacho Bites
This week I found an interesting recipe on MyRecipes.com and it inspired me to create these bite-sized, creamy nachos. The baked chipotle chips are topped with a creamy goat cheese mixture and a cilantro salsa. Avocados were finally ripe at my grocery store, so I was able to blitz up a quick, easy guacamole. These make for a playful presentation and would look lovely on a graduation party menu. To see how I made these incredibly scrumptious nachos — once you pop, you can't stop — read more
