55 Summer Favorites

       

Food & Wine

16.  The Recipe Box - This is a great new site from one of my favorite blogs The Hostess with the Mostess (click at your own risk - you'll be hooked!)  Billed as a place to "share and find fabulous recipes" that is exactly what I've been doing, starting with these delicious Black Pepper and Garlic Chicken Wings, which would pair nicely with the See-Through Sangria shown above.

15.  Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay - I have to confess that this has been one of my favorites all year.  It's just right for me - light, fresh, reasonably priced and a tad sweet, so it's no surprise to me that it's from one of my favorite wine-producing countries, Australia.  I'm also a big fan of Lindeman's Shiraz.

14. Guacamole and Tortilla Chips - I think it's safe to call this an addiction for me.  I must have this at regular intervals all summer long.

13. Monogrammed Stainless Steel Beverage Bucket (top) I think this is a great housewarming or even a wedding gift that would see many summers.

12. Red Velvet Cupcakes - I know, I know - cupcakes are everywhere now.  Last January, my cousin  ordered a set of red velvet cupcakes from Make My Cake and they were SO delicious.  I'm not sure if Make My Cake is still there (I've got to get up to Harlem this week!) but believe me when I tell you, I will get my red velvet cupcakes from somebody, somewhere - and very soon.  By the way, I copped the cupcake picture from Cupcakes Take The Cake, which is done by my same name blog bud Nichelle and her two pals Rachel and Alizinha.

11. Good Enough to Eat - I don't list restaurants in my sidebar for nothing.  The food at Good Enough to Eat is so, so good, that lines regularly form outside of their tiny space on 83rd and Columbus.  That's why it's too cold for me to go in the winter!  The first time I went, I made the mistake of going after a snowstorm - and we all stood outside and froze before we were seated.  So, Good Enough to Eat is a summertime favorite for me.  I alternate between the Bacon Waffles or one of their omelettes when I'm not getting a special (I had Grand Marnier Waffles there once - delicious!) 

10. Cafe Lalo As for Cafe Lalo, it's been one of my favorites for several years now.  I love it so much, I take everyone (and I do mean everyone) I know to eat there at least once.  The desserts are worth the devotion - especially the Brownie Chocolate Chunk cheesecake.  And the cappuccino's not bad either. 

9.   Oprah's Frozen TangOrita -  I am a die-hard, un-abashed and unashamed Oprah-holic.  Hate on her haters, now or later, but she's still the Queen!  Oprah had a summer favorites show recently and she revealed yet another one of her drink creations.  I'm sure the haters were thrilled to hear that she squeezed the fresh tangerine juice from tangerines grown on the grounds of her uber-fabulous Santa Barbara estate. 

Aw, don't sweat it - just think of it as HateOrade and drink up!

Oprah's Frozen TangOrita

• 4 ounces tangerine juice
• 2 ounces tequila, Patron Silver
• 1/3 ounce (or "hint") of triple sec
• Crushed ice
• Floating mint leaf
• Colored salt and sugar mix on rim
• Garnish with tangerine slice

Squeeze four ounces of fresh tangerine juice. Add two ounces of tequila and a hint of triple sec. Blend with crushed ice, and add a mint leaf. Garnish with a slice of tangerine and a mix of salt and sugar around the rim of your glass.

Comments

[Ms. New Beauty]

Make My Cake has the best cupcakes! They were still there as of New Year's Eve, because a friend got some for our celebrations. This post really has me craving some cupcakes, at 9 in the morning!

[Nichelle]

I know what you mean! I had to call my cousin to make sure it was there and it is, so I'll be there TONIGHT to get my cupcakes!

[Lianne]

OMG!! I saw that Oprah episode I was running out to find all the ingredients...it sounds so yummy. I love your "55 lists" Nichelle!

[Nichelle]

Thanks Lianne!