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Pineapple Chamomile Iced Tea Sangria Mocktail
With a refreshingly light sweetness from pineapple and ripe stone fruit, this non-alcoholic chamomile tea sangria makes use of summer’s abundant fruit and herbs. A touch of sage balances the drink and is just the right ingredient to add clean herbal notes without overwhelming the pitcher. Lounge away the afternoon with a glass then sip another well into the evening, as chamomile tea is naturally caffeine-free with a mild floral quality that’s mellow and smooth. Spoon cherry halves and nectarine slices in each serving along with plenty of pineapple, and this mocktail makes blazing days quite welcome. Ingredients 5 chamomile tea bags brewed in 4 cups water then cooled1 cup…
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Potato Salad with Crispy Shallots and Red Wine Vinaigrette
Topped with crispy shallots and dressed with red wine vinaigrette, this potato salad is destined for picnics and patio tables though it also lends that summery feel to a weeknight dinner. Scatter the shallots so each scoop includes them or serve on the side and allow everyone to top their own portion. The method for making the crispy shallots is simple and reliable, requiring mainly a watchful eye so they are removed when sweet and golden. A combination of petite yellow and red potatoes mix with roasted bell pepper and plenty of herbs to keep the flavor bright. For the best homemade potato salad, I pick small baby potatoes, peewee…
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Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Bursting with molten blueberries, these muffins have bakery style tops with tender middles made even more delicious with the use of lemon sugar, granulated sugar rubbed with lemon zest. I love the way the citrus shines in each muffin but still allows the blueberry flavor to take center stage. For a bit of added texture on top, I sprinkle homemade blueberry muffins with turbinado sugar before baking though this step is optional. The flavored sugar is a step I would not skip when making lemon blueberry muffins, since it introduces a bright and complex flavor that is quite different from lemon juice. There are many ways to make a delicious…
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Fluffy Ricotta Pancakes
A stack of fluffy pancakes with custard-like flavor needs nothing more than butter and pure maple syrup, though I have speckled these with sweet blueberries on occasion. With just the right amount of ricotta, they cook up tender and soft on the inside. Vanilla rather than more traditional lemon in this ricotta pancake recipe keeps them on the custardy side. For the most round, perfectly golden pancakes, I prefer to cook these one at a time in a skillet, though a griddle can be used for making multiple. Once you get a good feel for scooping the batter, flipping, and making these golden pancakes, repeat using the same rhythm until…
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Apple Cider Vinaigrette
With concentrated apple flavor, this dressing is one of my household staples. Whether I serve greens with a crunchy nut and seed topping or a grain salad with roasted vegetables, it enhances the ingredients while offering a delicious flavor all its own. Unlike an apple cider vinaigrette recipe made with mainly oil and vinegar, this version includes a cider reduction for the most satisfying apple goodness. Homemade dressings make any salad tastier and come together so quickly they are worth the extra step. In the farro version pictured below, apple cider is a natural pairing as it enhances the sweetness of pear and butternut squash while balancing the bitterness of…
