The British Are Coming!

Drink Recipe.

I know that drinking a quintessentially British drink on Independence Day may seem a bit sacrilegious, but that's exactly what I'm suggesting. Because a Pimm's Cup is just that good.

Kind of like England's equivalent of a mojito, Pimm's Cups are fantastic to make in large quantities and will most certainly quench your thirst during the hot and sunny holiday weekend. I think you'll like it!



Pimm's Cup

2 oranges, cut into half-moons
2 lemons, cut into half-moons
1 English Cucumber, sliced
1 cup strawberries, sliced
2 cups Pimm's No. 1
4 cups Ginger Ale or Ginger Beer
6 to 8 large sprigs mint, crushed gently, plus a few loose leaves

Fill 2 pitchers 1/4 full with ice. To each, add a layer of orange slices, a few lemon slices, a layer of cucumber slices, and strawberry slices. Repeat the layering, reserving 1/4 of each for garnish. Pour in the Pimm's and Ginger Ale, dividing between pitchers, and mix with a long-handled spoon. Poke mint sprigs and leaves down into drink.

Divide drink among 8 tall glasses, with a few slices of fruit and cucumber in each glass, along with some mint leaves.

Beyond Burger Basics

Food variations.

Oh how I love a burger hot off of a charcoal grill. In fact I almost jumped over a neighbor's fence on the way home from the gym this week because the smell of their grilled goodness was so intoxicating.



For the Fourth of July, I have no doubt that a lot of grilling will be had by all. And while I love the basic ketchup, mustard, and pickle topping as much as anyone, I think it might be fun to do a burger bar for a big party.

To get inspiration, I'd definitely study the menu at Kuma's Corner (the most kick *ss heavy metal burger haven in Chicago). Here are some inspiration exciting combos:

YOB - Smoked Gouda, Bacon, Roasted Red Peppers, Roasted Garlic Mayo

High On Fire - Siracha Hot Chili Sauce, Prosciutto, Roasted Red Pepper, Grilled Pineapple, Sweet Chili Paste

Pantera - Roasted Poblano Pepper, Bacon, Chedder and Monterey Jack, Ranchero Sauce, Tortilla Strips

Now don't those inspire you to be adventurous???

Link Love

Tuesday Inspiration.

Kiss My Spatula
Blueberry Quinoa tart. The quinoa makes it healthy, right?



Simply Photo
Wild flowers, drinking glass, and twine. So simple, yet so lovely.



Studio with a View
LOVE these city map illustrations!!



Grey Likes Weddings
This signature cocktail display is SO pretty! It makes me thirsty.

Picnic Potato Salad

Recipe.

It just isn't a Summer cookout or picnic to me if I don't have some sort of potato salad. The only problem is that mayonnaise based salads and a long day in the heat do not make a perfect match. Which is why I love french style potato salads that are made with a vinaigrette style dressing instead.



My favorite recipe is from Ina Garten and over the years I have made slight variations to suit my taste. Every time I serve this, it's a huge hit. I think you should try substituting this out for your normal recipe this weekend for your 4th of July grill outs and get-togethers!

French Potato Salad

2 pounds small red boiling potatoes
2 tablespoons good dry white wine
2 tablespoons chicken stock
1 cup haricot vert
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 tablespoons good olive oil
1/4 cup minced scallions (white and green parts)
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves


Place the red potatoes into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until just tender. Remove potatoes with a colander and place in a bowl. Top bowl with a towel to allow the potatoes to steam for 10 more minutes. Add the haricot vert to the boiling water and cook for 1 - 2 minutes until only slightly tender. Drain and plunge in an ice bath to stop cooking.

Once potatoes are cool enough to touch, cut in 1/2 (quarters if the potatoes are larger) and place in a large bowl along with haricot vert. Toss gently with the wine and chicken stock. Allow the liquids to soak into the warm potatoes before proceeding.**

Combine the vinegar, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Add the vinaigrette to the potatoes. Add the scallions, dill, parsley, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Serve warm or at room temperature.

** This step is SO important as the potatoes and haricot vert will absorb a lot of flavor. It makes all of the difference.

Vanilla Roasted Berries

I always look for easy desserts that are light yet enticing when having summer get-togethers. This recipe from Poppytalk, address’ all of the above, and delivers in spades. It takes about 20 minutes and gives you a delicious topping for shortcakes, ice cream or pound cake. Couldn’t be easier and is still different enough to make people ooh and aah.

Plumen Light Bulbs

There is a new light bulb in town folks and it uses 80% less energy and lasts 8 times longer than incandescent lighting. The best part is that it is stylish.

On the Plumen website they mention that “It’s strange that the bulb, an object so synonymous with ideas, is almost entirely absent of imagination.” Well not anymore, grab your Plumen light bulbs and let them add effortless chic to your home or event.

Homemade Ice Cream

Recipes.

When I was a kid, I remember that on hot summer days we would bring out the old ice cream maker. And when I say old, I mean old.

We'd all take turns cranking away at at a contraption that looked like an oxygen tank landed in a wooden bucket of ice. But all of our efforts were so very much worth the results. The homemade ice cream that resulted was so delicious that it made the stuff from the super market seem very sad.



Now there are a ton of ice cream maker options that don't cost a fortune or require a family of 4+ taking turns cranking a handle forever. And I'm dying to make some fun and unique flavored ice cream. Here are some that I found recently that have definitely peeked my interest:

Pine Nut Rosemary Ice Cream

Candied Apple Ice Cream

Cookie No-Dough Ice Cream

Cherry Bourbon Ice Cream

Maple Walnut

Raspberry Ice Cream

Fourth of July Invites in a Flash

DIY.

Throwing a 4th of July bash but running low on time to prep?



Follow these easy instructions to create the adorable invites above using clip art. And then you can spend your time focusing on the most important part of a good party...the food, drinks, and entertainment.

Link Love

Tuesday Inspiration.

Dabble
If you want to test the waters in learning about a skills such as making pasta, portrait drawing, or knitting, this Chicago-based company is the place to go.



A Continuous Lean
The image of these umbrellas under the Cote d'Azur sky make me want to take a holiday STAT!!



Lara Ferroni
I love cherries. I love doughnuts. I’m pretty sure that I would love Cherry Cake Doughnuts.



Charles Luck
This stone vanity is absolutely stunning.

Jello Shot Jury

Don’t let the sheep in wolves clothing fool you on this one. At first glance it seems to be an elegant dessert, but in fact, it is a Jello shot. It seems that the 80’s Jello shot craze is coming back and being taken to a whole new level.

I’m having a hard time with this trend. Even though they might not admit it, most people secretly love Jello shots. But they require some slurping and some not so pretty Jello eating faces when consumed. My question to you fellow Hip Hostess’, “Will the Jello shot ever really become acceptable at a high end event?”