Many vegetables, like zucchini, cucumber, and eggplant, have a high water content, so to avoid my dishes turning into a diluted mess, I like to treat the vegetables by salting and draining them first. The key is to sprinkle them with a liberal amount of kosher salt (but don't go overboard!), then wait patiently for 15 minutes for the salt to draw out the water by osmosis. Then, depending on the Read more

Did you know that there's a group in the community that's devoted to drinks? It's called Let's Have a Drink, and it's your spot to talk all things cocktail, wine, and spirits. Here, brisas shares a favorite new concoction. My friend recently treated me to this tasty cocktail, it combines a bunch of fresh citrus, cucumber, mint, vodka and a touch of soda water! It was delicious and refreshing, Read more

If you're like me, your garden is overflowing with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and basil. You basically have a salad with those three, but if you add a few more key ingredients, this salad will be your new favorite Summer dish. This salad literally takes 15 minutes or less to make. To see the simple recipe, read more Read more

At the daily Grand Tasting in Aspen, there are literally hundreds of bites and sips to choose from, so a true standout is one that you can't resist making repeat visits to. One of those booths came from Mercadito, a group of restaurants in New York, Chicago, and Miami serving Southern Mexican taqueria-style specialties. Not only did they offer tacos filled with layers of flavor, but they also Read more

While it doesn't quite feel like Summer with the Bay Area's cool weather, I still want to enjoy a simple yet delectable salad. Tossing a mildly spicy ginger dressing over grilled flank steak with sweet pineapple, peppery radishes, and refreshing cucumbers proved to be a great sweet-and-salty combination. The preparation is easy, with only a bit of chopping, a quick dressing, and flank steak Read more

I am always tempted by cocktails with cucumber in them but often disappointed. Aside from the classically refreshing Pimm's Cup, the cucumber-based recipes I've tried have either been too sweet, not sweet enough, or way too much trouble. The Gordon's Cup, however, made me giddy, and it wasn't just the 1/4 cup of gin. This cooling Summer cocktail is easy to make: simply muddle lime and cucumber in Read more

Nothing gets the conversation rolling at a party like flowing drinks. For a Bastille Day lunch, serve a refreshingly light apéritif-based cocktail, such as the Lillet-basil concoction seen here. Lillet is a French alcoholic drink made from a blend of wine, brandy, fruits, and herbs. Traditionally it's served over ice, but this recipe makes it more festive by combining it with fresh orange Read more