• Pineapple chamomile iced tea sangria
    Drinks

    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…

  • Potato salad with crispy shallots
    Food

    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…

  • Raspberry peach mocktail
    Drinks

    Raspberry Peach Mocktail with Rosemary

    Sunlight poured through the window just as I put the finishing raspberries in my glass.  A quick storm gave way to such glow I was happy to have a drink ready for the moment.  Plentiful rain has given us rejuvenating late afternoons and kept the herbs growing strong, making rosemary a natural addition to this raspberry peach mocktail.  Prepare the peach puree and raspberry syrup during the next midday storm and fill your glass as it starts to slow, then kick back and watch the summer light burst. Mix this drink again when the sun is unflinchingly strong for another fill of summer goodness.  Lounge about, bask in the light,…

  • Strawberry tomato salad
    Baking,  Food

    Strawberry Season Recipes

    As the days grow longer, dishes get brighter with red bursts of strawberry and brilliant yellow slices of heirloom tomato.  This is the time to linger over a meal and let the berries of the season carry you into eventual summer.  Since strawberries are a featured ingredient throughout Thirsty Radish, I gathered a few of my favorite strawberry recipes along with some new ones and tips.  They are the foundation for beautiful meals that are worthy of gathering over but also perfect for weeknights.  Grilled Strawberry and Heirloom Tomato Salad After a brief stay in the grill pan, strawberries become even juicier, which makes them the ideal salad addition.  This…

  • Heirloom tomato salad
    Food

    Heirloom Tomato Salad with Basil Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

    Late summer may be the most relaxed cooking time of the year.  All it takes to put together a beautiful salad is a basket of heirloom tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a bright dressing, in this case my basil blue cheese vinaigrette.  Soon we will be slicing squash and roasting pumpkins, but for now, we still have brilliant tomatoes in yellow, purple, and green, with stripes and ridges that make you miss summer just a bit before it even ends. Perfectly ripe summer tomatoes can be enjoyed with a bit of salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil, but they shine just as much with a scattering of herbs…