Friday Favorites 7.13.12

Guys, I can't believe we're nearing the end of July. We are dead in the middle of what it is to be "summer." (We are on Friday the 13th, to be exact!) Everyone is entertaining outdoors, cooling off with ice creams and sorbets, and endlessly looking for new ways to make eating and cooking more hassle-free in this hot weather. We're approaching a 90-degree week here in Chicago and all I've got on my mind is: what can I make that won't overheat my kitchen and my nerves? I've put together a list of summer essentials, from barbecue dishes to cocktails. With one more week to go in July, we need all the help we can get when it comes to surviving summer cooking and entertaining.

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Friday Favorites 7.13.12

Photo courtesy of La Tartine Gourmande

Rainier Cherry Tart: Aside from the abundance of fruit desserts available in the season, to me, cherries are so quintessentially summer. I'm not one to indulge in a latticed cherry pie, nor am I inclined to make one, but this tart seems simple enough to prepare and looks just as gorgeous.

7 Sauces of the Summer: Let's be real: when it's summer, you're rarely in the mood for some hearty, creamy Alfredo. If you are, more power to you. For everyone else looking for a lighter accompaniment to their pastas, salads, and sandwiches, Food52 has you covered.

The Perfect Scoop: If you are fortunate enough to own an ice-cream maker and you want some more inspiration, this book is definitely for you. It's time to put away your go-to vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream recipes and dive head-first into this book of delectable frozen treats.

Preserving the Harvest: I can't believe I have never thought of doing this. Well, I can. I have no culinary background. But, I digress. This article highlights the ingenious technique of freezing herbs in oil for later use. Not everyone uses store-bought herbs and leaving them in the fridge leads to waste. Finally, you can put your mind at ease and save your leftover herbs!

Barbecue Main Dishes: If you didn't get enough barbecue during your 4th of July weekend, take a look at the roundup of BBQ. There is something for everyone, and something for every meat and vegetable that can be grilled, marinated, and, of course, barbecued.

Sweets Without Heat: We had a power outage a week ago and right in the middle of baking, too! Thanks to TheKitchn, you can give your oven a well-deserved break and prepare these cooling desserts. You've got everything from a strawberry icebox cake to a mango panna cotta. Feast your eyes and taste buds.

Summer Cocktail Recipes: What is summer without a refreshing drink in hand while you lounge around in your patio? Or just in your kitchen while you prepare your cold no-bake dessert, right? That's probably more like it.  Enjoy your own happy hour with a low-calorie piña colada or a peach wine cooler, among others.

Silpat Silicone Cookie Sheet Liner: I have Spencer's mom to thank for introducing me to this novel baking essential. I guess I should thank his dad for buying it as a Christmas gift... You don't need any greasing or cooking spray. Just lay your cookie dough or batter right onto this liner and it comes off just as easily as it's laid on. Seriously, you will buy about 5 of these.

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xo,
k.