Minty Cocktails!

Posted by Naomi Gabay

After the unofficial start to summer, the season is finally here! And what's better to cool you off than an icy cold cocktail? How about a refreshing mint cocktail! Allen Katz gives us the perfect recipes today to kick off the season!

Brandy Smash
Ingredients:
8 fresh mint leaves
2 ounces Cognac
1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Directions:
1. Gently muddle mint in the base of a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice. Fine strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

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Fruit & Veggie Challenge: All About Avocados

Posted by Lisa Mantineo

As we often mention on the show, our main goal on Everyday Food is to provide you with inspiration in your kitchen. This week our listeners definitely turned the tables and inspired Betsy to look beyond guacamole when it comes to making a meal with avocados. So, to return the favor she has picked out three knock-your-socks-off avocado dishes for this week's Fruit & Vegetable challenge! From appetizer sized toasts to a salad & pasta idea, we encourage you try something new and make at least one of these meals.

For new listeners: If you're interested in making your meals a little healthier by using more fruits and vegetables, then you might want to sign up for our Fruit and Vegetable Challenge. The goal of the program is to incorporate more produce into your busy schedule. If you want more info on the challenge, read our first post about it.

Don't forget: Keep track of the amount of servings you are eating throughout the week. Simply email us -- everydayfoodradio@yahoo.com on Thursday night with the fruits and vegetables you've consumed and the number of servings per day.

Tomato-Avocado Toasts
Tuna, Avocado, and Romaine Salad
Asparagus, Snap Pea, and Avocado Pasta

SEE MORE RECIPES FROM PREVIOUS FRUIT AND VEGGIE CHALLENGES:

Fast & Fancy: Respecting Rice!

Posted by Jennifer Sendrow 

In between cooking and hosting a television show about cooking, Alex Guarnaschelli has become one of our all-time favorite guests on Morning Living. Who can forget the time that she told our Thanksgiving hotline callers, “Never forget that the turkey is driving this bus, and we’re just the passengers”? She’s a chef with a wit as sharp as her cleavers.

Today she joined us for Fast & Fancy with two great recipes for rice. Truth be told, I’ve always thought of rice as a culinary b-side, with the hit song being the curry or stir-fry that goes on top. Alex calls rice “the little black dress” of the pantry, an all-occasion staple that goes well with everything and always looks good. I might be sold. Check out her fast basmati pilaf and fancy risotto and tell us if you’re ready to give rice a little respect.

SEE RECIPES AFTER THE JUMP

Baking Day Thursday

Posted by Mario Bosquez

Thursdays are "baking days" on Living Today and they're always chock-full of learning experiences. Neil Kleinberg, chef and owner of Clinton St. Baking Company and Community Food and Juice (both located in NYC) shared valuable baking tips and great cake recipes.

Black Magic Cake

Classic White Cake with Fresh Strawberries

These cakes make perfect birthday cakes. Among his baking tips for the tastiest birthday cakes:

- Don't make the icing too sweet
- Keep the flavors seasonal and simple. For example: use fresh, chopped strawberries in between layers.

Thanks to Chef Neil Kleinberg for these tasty recipes and great ideas!

What's your favorite Birthday cake?

GET THE CAKE RECIPES

The White Wines of Summer

Posted by Mario Bosquez

Every Wednesday, we have a "Wines-day" segment on Living Today where we learn something new about wine. Yesterday, we received amazing suggestions for white wines from Ellisa Cooper, director of education for The Barterhouse in New York City. Her suggestions:

Jacques Lurton Touraine Sauvignon blanc 2007

Circumstance Stellenbosch Sauvignon blanc 2006

Domaine aux Moines Savennieres Chenin blanc 1994

What's your favorite white wine of the summer?

Good vs. Bad Pet Foods

Posted by Alexis Tirado

Dr. Marty, Martha's very own vet and host of his own radio show, was recently on Martha's TV show to discuss pet foods. In the first segment, Dr. Marty talks about healthy human foods that you can feed your pets. At the 2:15 mark, Dr. Marty introduces Lola, a Yorkie Terrier on the segment and Francesca (one of Martha's Frenchies) growls at her! Francesca gets so miffed that Martha takes her off the table. It's quite hilarious!

In the second segment, Dr. Marty reveals all human foods that you shouldn't give your pet! Who knew onions were a big no-no?!

How to Make the Best Burger

Posted by Mario Bosquez

Summertime calls for grilling up the best burgers possible so George Motz, author of "Hamburger America," paid a visit to my show, "Living Today." His book is a guide to the best burger joints in the nation! Here's George Motz  on the right.

On air, George told us to make perfect burgers, make sure you do not compress the meat patties. He suggests taking an ice cream scoop, picking up the ground meat with that and placing it in the lightly oiled skillet. Then, with a rigid spatula, gently press the burger into a generally round shape -- no more pressing is needed on the meat.

For grilling a perfect burger; place the patty on the grill and absolutely refrain from pressing down on the burger during the cooking process. George says this guarantees a juicy burger!

George is also a purist; refraining from putting what he describes as a "salad" in the burger (lettuce, tomatoe, etc.) Instead he is a huge proponent of cheese and onions.

A burger from Bobo's Drive In, located in Topeka, Kansas.

Which is your favorite way to enjoy burgers? Also, if you need more burger inspiration check out Martha's burger ideas.

Create a Stellar Resume

Posted by Alexis Tirado

Working in media can be daunting sometimes -- especially with this economy! Every week, I hear bad news about yet another friend being laid off from a magazine or newspaper. And every week, I always receive emails from friends with updated resumes. Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time I received a resume...well, you get the hint!

Sandy's Brown Sandwich

Posted by Sandy Gluck

So, Lisa Mantineo (aka Monty), my producer has been talking up this brown bread she had in Ireland. Last night I tried to channel her and recreate it. Well, the bread was fine, not knock-your-socks-off, so I'm going to keep working on it. It did make its way into today's sandwich. My recent trip to Vermont inspired me to add Cabot cheese to the sandwich too. Slices of brown bread, slathered with butter, topped with cheese, and thinly sliced Winesap apples or just use your favorite apples. Oh, and caramelized onions -- make a double batch while you're at it and save for another day!

 

SEE SANDY'S RECIPE AFTER THE JUMP

A Martha Stewart alum throws a dinner party!

Posted by Lisa Kamen

After working for Martha Stewart Living Radio for two years I felt so inspired by my surroundings that I decided to go to culinary school. I wanted to share some pictures from my final school project. The assignment was to design a four-course menu for a dinner party. I tried to take my cues from Martha by choosing springtime as my theme and a menu of simple, delicious, and seasonal food.Thanks to Betsy and Kim and the "Morning Living" listeners who have helped me every step of the way. Below are the final results.

I liked the way the hydrangea and the green table cloth enhanced my spring theme. Photo credit: Ben Duchac

The simple yet colorful table setting. Photo credit: Ben Duchac

This was my first course. A trio of bruschetta from left to right: a fava bean and avocado puree, tomato rubbed bread and Serrano ham, and lastly homemade ricotta with lemon zest and sea salt. Photo credit: Ben Duchac

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