because you deserve it all

Everyone loves a nice cool drink on a warm summerday.  But we can get sick of the same old thing.  Lemonade is a great choice – but add a new flair with cherry flavored vodka or a dash of pomegranate juice.  Sometimes it is one little addition that makes all the difference.  When you make the simple syrup to sweeten the lemonade add mint leaves or lavender.  Another popular summer drink is Sangria, but make a white sangria instead, which I personally find more refreshing than a sangria made with a heavier red wine.  So find a sweet white wine like a Riesling and add lemonade with some thin lemon slices.  Or you can use pinot grigio and add white grape juice and sparkling water.  Make sure you have a nice assortment of beers and frosted mugs to serve them in.  No one wants a warm beer on a hot day! 

This marinade can be used on poultry, meat, fish, and vegetables.  You can also add some of it to rice or cous cous dishes.  It could be added to the water while cooking the rice or cous cous and/or drizzled over the rice or cous cous once it has finished cooking.  It is a versatile product. 

Another idea is to use this in lieu of mayonnaise for a tuna salad.  You should use grilled tuna or high quality packaged tuna for this recipe.  Coat the tuna generously and add some fresh chopped parsley or mint.  Serve on open faced sandwiches with a sprig of parsley or mint as a garnish. 

Check out the link to purchase this product below.

http://eclecticgrocer.com/withmelesare.html

You may be surprised that I suggest you purchase marinades.  But there are some very high quality products out there and your guests will never be the wiser.  I am going to post a link to some great marinades below.  They are wonderful on chicken, fish, or even pork. 

The great thing about these is you can use the sauce to repeat the flavors throughout your meal.  You can use it as a salad dressing and on the meat or fish.  This takes the guesswork out of determining whether the flavors of your main course and side dishes will work. 

Visit eclecticgrocer.com for more information or to purchase these fabulous marinades/Salad Refreshers (dressings). 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/salad-dressings-and-refreshers.html

You just spoke with some of your close friends and were pleased to learn they are available for dinner tonight.  Then it sets in – my friends will be here for dinner tonight.  Don’t panic!  Think about enhancing your meal with a store bought sauce.  They will wonder how you pulled together such a wonderful meal on such sort notice.  You should always have some products like this and some chicken or fish in the freezer in case you pull together a party on a moment’s notice. 

Visit Eclectic Grocer to purchase the recommended products below. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/withcapelich.html

Use this Caribbean Peach Lime Chutney as a sauce for Chicken or Fish. 

Or marinate some chicken with a Tuscan Tomato Basil Vinaigrette.  Serve with rice or cous cous and a tomato salad. 

http://eclecticgrocer.com/withtutobavi.html