Summertime | DanaSlatkin.com

Barefoot Peach Bellinis, Sugar-Free

06/15/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

June is a month of goodbyes. My kids graduate — from preschool, elementary school, and junior high — leaving behind familiar classrooms, teachers, and friends. My oldest takes off for camp in Maine. And the rest of us bid our annual adieu to L.A. as we recamp to a tiny mountain town in Colorado. There will be tears of joy and farewell hugs. And (you know me so well by now) my kids will get a good dose of mom wisdom to pocket for their journeys ahead. But lest you think I’m about as much fun as fish oil, I assure you there will be numerous festivities. We’ll mark the milestones with bubbly drinks, bountiful fare, and plenty of togetherness around the table. This effervescent summer cocktail is what I’ll be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beverages

Summer Entertaining 101

05/24/2012 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

The grilling season officially kicks off this weekend, and so do my shoes! Time to unplug, unwind, and reboot for summer. But how easy is it to pull off? Here are a few do’s and don’t’s to keep your cool… DO… Blend In. Summer cooking tends to rely more on fresh fruits and vegetables in the raw. Blend them into smoothies, frozen cocktails, creamy salad dressings, gazpacho and yogurt-based soups. Invest in a powerful but quiet blender to do the job. Go casual. Family-style is the way to go in summer…meaning glass pitchers, giant wooden bowls and beautiful platters. Your guests help themselves while you enjoy the company. Improvise. You don’t need elaborate centerpieces to decorate … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 90210 Style, Dairy-free

Pineapple-Lime-Mint Agua Fresca

08/17/2010 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

It’s hard to admit that summer is almost over. The back-to-school catalogs are clogging my mailbox, my appointment book is crammed with check-ups and haircuts, and my kids are desperately trying to finish their summer reading. Even though there are plenty of sunny days ahead, I can’t help wishing summer would last forever. How do you maintain that carefree spirit even when we are all back to the grind? I say, bring on the fruit. Agua Fresca is a classic Mexican drink, made with equal parts fresh fruit and water. For this recipe, blend the juiciest pineapple you can find (frozen defrosted fruit will work, too) with lime or lemon, filtered or bubbly water, and just enough sugar to make it all sing. Spiked with mint … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beverages

Grilled Vegetable Salad with Basil Vinaigrette

08/10/2010 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

Announcing the winner of our July Cooking Contest! Debora Dale of Los Angeles is a self-described farmers market addict. “I used to over-buy each weekend because everything (at the farmers market) looked so amazing.” Often by the end of the week, she had to toss produce that had passed its prime. This recipe, which she calls her “Mid-Week Rescue Salad,” is her solution. “Now, I go through the refrigerator and rescue everything before it’s too late.” The vegetables are basted with a simple balsamic marinade, which helps them caramelize beautifully on the grill. Then they are chopped up along with sausage (I use vegetarian brats) and drizzled with a mustardy basil vinaigrette. As it turns … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Salad Recipes

Sugar-Free Fresh Apricot Compote

07/20/2010 By Dana Slatkin 3 Comments

Fresh apricots are some of summer’s juiciest delicacies. Soft and fragrant, I spotted some last week, irresistibly mounded in a wooden crate at the farmers market. I filled up two bags and brought them home, wondering if we could devour them all before they turned to mush. Then I remembered my favorite Bonne Maman compote from France, which I have never been able to find here at home. With summer slipping by and the half-life of apricot season well behind, I attempted to replicate the deliciously tart conserves, less sweet than a jam but more concentrated than a purée. Since the apricots were at their peak, I figured I could eliminate all white sugar, relying on their natural sweetness. But I wanted to add some harmonizing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes

French Apple or Blueberry Pie

10/05/2009 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

One of my favorite memories from childhood involves pies. Though my mother cooked from scratch almost every night, we were always on our own for dessert. This usually meant grabbing a piece of fruit or a Popsicle from the freezer. But occasionally, we would make a special trip to the Marie Callendar’s down the street. We would order four different slices of pie, because each of us refused to share. And whenever we traveled, we would search out the local pie shop to compare versions of our favorite pies. Mine was always French Apple, served warm and á la mode, of course. But when I discovered a flat of blueberries from last week’s trip to the farmers market just beginning to wrinkle in the fridge, I decided on this variation. Below … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dessert Recipes

Roman Artichokes with Lemon-Caper Dipping Sauce

09/18/2009 By Dana Slatkin 1 Comment

One of my favorite ways to enjoy artichokes is to dip and slurp them simultaneously. This recipe was inspired by a summer visit to one of Aspen’s great outdoor restaurants, D19, which sadly will be reincarnated as another restaurant in the fall. Braising an artichoke combines sautéing and poaching in an aromatic broth, drawing out its subtle flavors while keeping it moist. Succulent and savory, the leaves practically melt in your mouth, especially when dipped into this lemony sauce. Though many chefs will pare the artichokes down to their cores, I hate to waste all those delicious leaves and lose an opportunity to eat with my hands. The thing that usually dissuades cooks from coming near an artichoke is all the trimming required. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appetizer Recipes

Blueberry Mint Lemonade

09/10/2009 By Dana Slatkin Leave a Comment

Whew, is it hot! Labor Day has come and gone, but here in Lala land, there is no promise of cooler temperatures ahead. No complaints here, but icy beverages are a necessity to beat the heat. This striking violet concoction gets smiles every time I serve it. Making an infused sugar syrup takes virtually no extra time and adds layers of dimension to drinks. Try using blackberries, raspberries or strawberries in place of the blueberries. You can even experiment with different herbs, such as lemon thyme and basil. Spike the lemonade with vodka or your favorite alcohol and I must warn you, it will be dangerous. This recipe makes enough for a small army, but it will last a few weeks in the refrigerator…or not! Be sure to try … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beverages