New recipe, July 25, 2014

Lime Zest Cooler from Rick Bayless' Authentic Mexican. It is very refreshing, but some of our tasters were surprised by the lack of acidity--it is made with the lime zest only, not the juice. We found that adding a few shakes of salt to a glass makes it even better. We give it a 4.

New recipe, July 24, 2014

A delicious nonalcoholic summer drink, Agua Fresca Veraniega, from Rick Bayless' Fiesta at Rick's. A 5--even our most particular nephews liked it!

New recipe, July 23, 2014

The 57 Chevy, from Spring 44 Gin. We give this a 3.

New recipe, July 21, 2014

Lemony Barley Salad with Kale Pesto from Food and Wine August 2014. Very bright. We give it a 3.

No wine this evening.

New recipe, July 20, 2014

Another day on the Courage Classic. So we had another cocktail, the Spring to Tonic from Spring 44 Gin. Tasty--we give it a 4.

New recipe, July 19, 2014

We are on the Courage Classic, and had a great team dinner with our team, Summits for Samantha. So the new recipe is the Ruby Canyon cocktail from Spring 44 Gin. This is pretty good--we give it a 3.

New recipe, July 18, 2014

BLT Pasta, from the August 2014 Cooking Light. Definitely tastes like a BLT, pleasant--we give it a 3. Could use a little more creaminess and spice.

Wine: Love Drunk Rosé 2013

New recipe, July 17, 2014

Asparagus Ricotta and Egg Pizza from the August 2014 Cooking Light. Pleasant. We give it a 3.

Wine: Crios Rosé of Malbec 2013--nice match

New recipes, July 16, 2014

Olive and Pesto Crusted Cod, with Summer Bread Salad, both from the August 2014 Cooking Light. Both are very nice, and not remarkable. We give them both a 3.

Wine: Rosanna Rosé Zweigelt 2013--a nice match

New recipe, July 15, 2014

Jerk Chicken with Grilled a Pineapple Salsa from the August 2014 Cooking Light. Very tasty--we give it a 4. Would have liked a spicier chicken--might mean adding another habanero, or maybe just thickening the marinade so more of it sticks. And we would grill the pineapple longer for more caramelization.
Served with an impromptu watermelon feta salad with lime juice and mint.

Wine: Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé 2013

New recipes, July 14, 2014

We started with a cocktail from the July 2014 Bon Appétit--the Sriracha-Lada, a variation of the Mexican beer and chile drink called the Michelada. We give this a 5! Do not use ice as the recipe suggests--just use cold ingredients! Viny and Larry, you should try this!

Dinner was from the August 2014 Cooking Light--Spicy Flank Steak Tacos with Watermelon Salsa--tasty, we think the meat should have been spicier. We give it a 3, a spicier rub would make it a 4.

Wine: Tablas Creek Vineyard 2006 Esprit-a nice match!

New recipes, July 13, 2014

We had Scott, Kate and Lucy Noble over for dinner (Jana is at Girl Scout Camp). We had Herbaceous Grolled Pork Tenderloin from the August 2014 Cooking Light, with grilled zucchini, tomatoes and bread. This was nice--we give it a 4.

Dessert was the Traeger Recipe of the Week--Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon Mascarpone. Very tasty--we give these a 4 as well.

No wine--homebrew this evening.

New recipe, July 12, 2014

We rode the Triple Bypass, so when we finally got home the new recipe was a cocktail--the Vitamin C Brew, made with beer. It was pleasant--we give it a 3.

New recipes, July 10, 2014

Moroccan Chicken Brochettes from the July 2014 Bon Appétit (5!!!). Served with pita, and an impromptu salad of cucumber and mint with olive oil, cider vinegar and salt (tasty--a 4!).

Wine: Rosanna Rosé Zweigelt 2013

New recipes, July 9, 2014

> From the July 2014 Bon Appétit:
>
> Aperol Mist cocktail--decent, we give it a 3. Served with a burger with the Cilantro Parsley Chutney (still a 4!) and a salad.
>
> Dessert is the Yogurt with Fresh Figs Honey and Pine Nuts--this is a 5!!
>
> No wine--we had the Aperol Mist
>

New recipe. July 8, 2014

Cilantro Parsley Chutney from the July 2014 Bon Appétit. Served on grilled chicken thighs, with Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad)

The chutney gets a 4--spicey and delicious!
We love the Mizeria for simplicity and flavor -- still gets a 5.

Wine: Wild Thing 2013 Rendevous Rosé--nice match!

New recipe, July 7, 2014

A burger served with two salads from the Jjuly 2014 Bon Appétit: Charrecand Raw Corn with Chile and Cheese (5!!) and Grilled Bread Salad with Sweet Peppers and Onions (4!!)

No wine: homebrewed Ordinary Bitter

New recipes, July 6, 2014

Three from the July 2014 Bon Appétit, and they all get a 5! Wonderful meal! Spiced Lamb Burger, Grilled Zucchini and Leeks with Walnuts and Herbs, and Grilled Eggplant and Greens with Spiced Yogurt.

Wine: Apaltagua Rosé 2012 Carmenere