Beverages
Red Berry Frappé
By Sheila Lukins
Cosmopolitan
This recipe is from Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City.
By Eben Freeman
Goldies
Goldies, my organic twist on a Twinkie, have become one of my most notorious treats. I like to bake these with an easy chocolate cake (which just happens to be vegan) as a base, as it's the perfect partner to the sweet, creamy filling and dark, almost Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache . For a chic finish, I brush them with gold metallic dust.
To give the Goldies their unique look, you will need specialty baking pans. These pans are commonly sold as éclair pans, but since éclairs went out of style two decades ago, you may have better luck ordering them (and the wrappers if you want) online through cooking-supply stores such as kitchenkrafts.com, sugarcraft.com, or cakedeco.com.
By Sarah Magid
Whipped Flour Buttercream
I love using this as a frosting or a filling because it is light and creamy, and less sweet than the Classic Americana Icing. It tastes just like whipped cream.
Editor's note: This recipe is used as the filling for Sarah Magid's Goldies , an organic take on Twinkies.
By Sarah Magid
Coffee-Rubbed Cheeseburgers with Texas Barbecue Sauce
Freshly ground coffee adds a depth to the spice rub and brings out the flavor of the meat. Be sure to keep the rub recipe handy. The spice rub would also be great on steaks and chicken.
By Fred Thompson
Sweet Tea with Vodka and Lemonade
A perfect summertime cocktail. Because it's a combination of iced tea, lemonade, and booze, we've dubbed it the Tipsy Arnold Palmer.
By Fred Thompson
Beer-Marinated Flank Steak with Aji and Guacamole
Colombia may be the best kept barbecue secret in South America. Sure, Argentina gets the attention for its cowboy-style asado. And Brazil has enjoyed spectacular success exporting its rodizio-style restaurants—the kind where the waiters parade spits of grilled meats through the dining room. But Colombia? I doubt that most North Americans could name a single Colombian grilled dish. Well, it's time to shine the spotlight on the only country in South America to have coasts on both the Atlantic and the Pacific, whose cool-weather ranching district produces well-marbled, full-flavored beef, whose grill masters make extensive use of marinades (unlike the simplicity prized by their Argentine counterparts), and whose mastery of the art of grilling on charcoal extends to some unique techniques. Here's a not-so simple flank steak redolent of cumin, green onions, and beer.
By Steven Raichlen
Cappuccino Brownies
The white chocolate ganache mimics the steamed-milk foam on the top of a cappuccino. A dusting of cinnamon completes the homage.
By Lisa Zwirn
Beer-Braised Hot Dogs with Braised Sauerkraut
The combination of sauerkraut, sausages, and mustard is well loved in Germany—and beyond. Here, dark beer enhances the sauerkraut, and the hot dogs are simmered in fruity Belgian lambic.
By Andrew Schloss
Cheddar Dogs with Cider-Braised Leeks and Apples
Leeks and apples simmered in cider add a hint of sweetness—a nice contrast to the sharp melted cheddar. If you can find oblong pretzel rolls at your market, they'll make an ideal accompaniment to these English-style hot dogs.
By Andrew Schloss
Tamarind and Vodka Cocktail
For the kids, simply serve the cocktail base over ice—hold the vodka, naturally.
By Dave Kovner and Becky Kelso
Pluot and Prosecco Fizz
Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, and cava, a Spanish sparkler, both work well in this pink drink, which is as pretty as it is refreshing.
By Amelia Saltsman
Doro Wat
When I take people out for Ethiopian food for the first time, this chicken stew, called doro wett (also spelled doro we't, doro wat, and doro wet), is a great introduction. It's the first Ethiopian dish I ever had, and I immediately liked the tender meat, the spicy eggs, and the flavorful sauce laced with berbere and ginger. It's a great dish to make for people who haven't eaten African food before, because it's easy to understand and like.
Don't be alarmed when the sauce doesn't bind together and thicken like a traditional European-style sauce—it should in fact be liquidy and broken to soak into the injera it is served on.
By Marcus Samuelsson
Broiled Tofu With Miso (Tofu Dengaku)
A sweet-and-salty miso glaze turns tofu into little bites of comfort food, traditionally served on skewers.
By Elizabeth Andoh
Grilled Pineapple with Brown Sugar, Coconut, and Rum
If your grill is already fired up, why not give it a quick brushing and throw dessert on there, too? A balanced tropical marinade brings depth to caramelized pineapple.
By Melissa Roberts
Mexican Hot Cocoa
It's not a real party without chocolate! Savor this sweet treat and you'll get 20 percent of your daily calcium.
By Adeena Sussman
Beach Bourbon Slush
My sister likes to call this drink an adult Slurpee®. And in some ways she is right. It's really almost like a whiskey sour that's been frozen and stirred so that it crystallizes like a granita. It may be the ultimate hot summer day libation. But be warned, once you fix this for your friends and neighbors, they'll expect it all through the summer heat. And you can either brew the tea and let it cool, or use bottled or canned.
By Fred Thompson
Shrimp Scampi with Green Onions and Orzo
This dish is like risotto (only quicker and easier) and features cooked orzo topped with garlicky shrimp.
By Jill Silverman Hough
Seared Duck Breast with Cherries and Port Sauce
By Diane Rossen Worthington
Strawberries Romanoff with Crème Fraîche Ice Cream
French pastry chefs dedicated this classic dessert to the Russian royal family. In this version, Grand Marnier-soaked berries are served with a tangy homemade ice cream (in place of the usual whipped cream). If you'd like, serve some sweet, crisp cookies alongside.
By Diane Rossen Worthington