Red wine pasta. You actually cook the pasta in a full bottle of wine in a wide shallow skillet and it absorbs it perfectly. I didn’t even know that was possible. My family loved it, but can you even imagine bringing that to your next GNO, barbecue, or book club meeting?! <My husband just asked what a GNO was. Sorry. Girls’ Night Out.> It’s ridiculously easy. My husband could make it, and he’s only vaguely aware of where the kitchen is in our house. The color is stunning. And it’s just as delicious as you’re hoping it would be reading this. A huge thanks to Running Press for letting me share the recipe with you!
My review of the book is right after the recipe, but the whole book is summertime effortless. You’ll be out in the sunshine instead of the kitchen in no time. Bring It!: Tried and True Recipes for Potlucks and Casual Entertaining
I grew up in Wisconsin. People know about the cheese, beer, and bratwurst. Scandinavian bakeries are a really big deal there, too. Everyone’s got strong opinions about which bakery is the absolute best to get kringle and Danishes for holidays, gatherings, and weekends. Oh, I miss those bakeries! When I have a craving, I love to make them at home now. One of my favorite Scandinavian cookbooks is 
by Trine Hahnemann. A huge thank you to Quadrille for letting me share her recipe for Poppy Seed Danishes with you! They are so delicious! (And yeah, she has a recipe for Kringle in there, too!) My review of the book is right after the recipe. Amazing book.
This is for all of my gluten-free friends. I love feeding people. We eat everything in this house. But I LOVE to have solid books on hand to be able to accommodate friends when they show up, and whip up deliciousness for different dietary needs. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, 
. 
Rahr Brewery does an Oktoberfest 5K each year. People dress in lederhosen and dirndls and go for a run. Afterwards, there’s beer, brats, and music. It’s ridiculously fun. Last year, Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co. (TX Whiskey) were handing out whiskey shots mid-course. Nice.
Mmmmmm. I love a killer salad. And Watermelon and Feta Salad is just that. Grilled watermelon. Yeah. It totally wants to be grilled. It is soooo good that instead of the polite, “No. You go ahead. I insist.” people will will avoid eye contact to grab an extra spoonful. The recipe is out of 
. It’s coming out this Tuesday! A big thank you to Quadrille for letting me share the recipe with you! My review of the book is right after the recipe.
, when he mentioned that Sam Kass introduced him to the Obamas, and that’s how Marcus got to cook dinner for them, when this book, 
, came across my desk. I was very excited to thumb through it and see what a president gets to eat, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Beautiful book. I was surprised by the simplicity of the dishes. Kass’ style is simple preparations of nourishing food, with easy, perfect techniques that develop a lot of flavor. It’s good for you, feel good food, and it’s yummy. It’s all family pleasers. The kids have enjoyed the dishes as much as my husband and I.