Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

brunch ideas

Brunch seems to be everyone's favorite weekend activity, but why go out when you can make it just as well at home? Here are our best brunch tips and ideas that will have your guests at your doorstep every Saturday.

1. Grow Some Fun

Create a centerpiece that's delicious: Stud a small planter of wheatgrass with lollipops in bright colors. You can even write a guest's name on each wrapper for easy grabbing.

2. Plan Your Prep Time

For a dinner party, you theoretically have all day to prepare, but brunch can start as early as 9 a.m. (or as late as 2 p.m.). The trick? A little planning. Gale Gand, author of Gale Gand's Brunch!, recommends shopping two days before the party and prepping the day before. Also, lighten the day-of load by serving dishes that can be cooked in advance: Two of Gand's favorites are strata and baked apple french toast.

3. Pick Easy Apps

Save time with store-bought

You know grilling is great for meat, veggies and seafood, but those char marks look just as great on desserts! We're not just talking about fruit, either; whether you're in the mood for pie, dumplings or blintzes, we've got your grilled sweet tooth covered.

black forest skewers BLACK FOREST SKEWERS

Fresh cherries + kirsh or chambord + semisweet chocolate + chocolate donut holes + heavy cream

lemon meringue pie LEMON MERINGUE "PIE"

Store-bought sponge cake desserts shells + prepared lemon curd + mini marshmallows

plumplings PLUMPLINGS (PLUM DUMPLINGS)

Plums + brown sugar + lemon + butter + fresh breadcrumbs + egg roll wrappers + egg + confectioners' sugar

sweet and hot sugared melon SWEET AND HOT SUGARED MELON

Sugar + cayenne pepper + honeydew melon

blackberry blintzes BLACKBERRY BLINTZES

Blackberries + sugar + farmer's cheese + prepared crêpes

Ever wonder what your favorite foods would taste like in beer form? We found seven great beers that will do the trick!

beers that taste like food

Spicy Chile
A perfect pairing for tacos or chips and guac, Six Rivers Brewery Chili Pepper Ale ($6) has a cooling effect -- at first. After a few seconds, the back-of-the-throat heat kicks in. The ale's infused with charcoal-roasted jalapeño, habanero, serrano and anaheim chiles, which are no joke: Brewmaster Carlos Sanchez wears a protective mask while creating!
1300 Central Ave., McKinleyville, CA

PB&J
Made with roasted peanuts and jammy fruits (think grapes and raspberries), Funky Buddha Lounge & Brewery's No Crusts ale ($5) tastes like a nostalgic bite of the actual white-bread sandwich!
2621 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, FL

Gingerbread
Bison Brewing's nutmeg-and-cinnamon Gingerbread Ale ($8) has the flavor of just-baked cookies without being too sugary: It ends with the spicy, slightly bitter

Summer PicnicWe swear by these picnic tips:

Pack resealable plastic bags: That'll let you eat now--and later.

Light is easy: Why haul a huge, hard cooler halfway around the park? A soft fabric version is just as roomy--and easier on the arm.

Serving sandwiches? Pumpernickel bread is sturdier than white and won't get soggy.

Avoid leftovers: They don't stand a chance under the relentless sun. For easy portion control, pack your picnic in pre-slotted containers.

Recipes
Chicken Salad with Roasted Potatoes and Corn
Roast Turkey Sandwich with the Works
Jalapeno-Mango Shrimp
Steakhouse Salad

Start with a Scoop no-bake desserts

Coffee Cake Ice Cream:

Tear up a store-bought crumb cake; stir into softened coffee-flavored ice cream along with chopped pecans; refreeze.

Not Hot Bananas Foster:

Mix sliced bananas with toasted slivered almonds, cinnamon and caramel sauce; use as topping on ice cream. Splash with brandy (optional).

S'mores Ice Cream Sandwich:

Spread marshmallow fluff on two graham crackers, then use to sandwich a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce.

Cakes and More

Instant Tiramisu:

Whisk together equal parts mascarpone cheese and whipped topping with a little espresso powder and rum (optional); refrigerate for 30 minutes. Top each serving with a ladyfinger, pinch of espresso powder and chocolate shavings.

PB&B Rice Pudding:

Stir peanut butter and chopped banana into prepared rice pudding and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of honey.

Unbaked Alaska:

Top slices of sponge or angel food cake

No one wants to feel the extra heat of a stove or oven during the summertime. Here are our favorite no-cook side dishes to keep you cool all summer long!

zucchini linguine with almondsZUCCHINI LINGUINE WITH ALMONDS

Parmesan cheese + lemons + clementine + basil + dijon mustard + EVOO + zucchini + almonds

antipasti bowl

ANTIPASTI BOWL

White balsamic vinegar + garlic + oregano + EVOO + cremini mushrooms + broccoli + cauliflower + cherry tomatoes + soppressata + provolone cheese

rainbow tomatoes

RAINBOW TOMATOES AND WHITE BEANS

Parsley + capers + red wine vinegar + garlic + EVOO + multicolored tomatoes + cannellini beans + pine nuts

creamy corn succotash

CREAMY CORN SUCCOTASH

Basil + scallions + whole-milk yogurt + lemon juice + EVOO + corn + sugar snap peas + lima beans + red bell pepper + orange bell pepper

celery salad with bleu cheeseCELERY SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE

Apple cider vinegar

These stargazing locales vary from beach to desert, but all share a sky full of unforgettable views. Find out what spots made it on our list!

mackinaw city, miMackinaw City, Michigan

The Headlands was declared as one of only 10 official Dark Sky Parks in the world by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), an organization dedicated to preserving the nighttime environment. Get there at dusk to catch monthly sunset picnics led by resident star expert Mary Stewart Adams. These unique campfire meals are free and feature folk and fairy tales that she's tailored to each night's celestial makeup.

Grab a Bite: Sample Great Lakes whitefish, the region's specialty, in the Chippewa Room at Audie's Restaurant in Mackinaw City. Delivered fresh daily, it's available broiled, planked, stuffed, encrusted, cajun or Asian-style ($22).

Visit emmetcounty.org/headlands/ for more info.
audies.com

hilo, hawaiiHilo, Hawaii

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station atop the 9,300-foot perch of Hawaii's

Use these cupcake decorating recipes and transform your sweet treats to look like savory favorites! Make them for your next party -- they're fun for both kids and adults!

faux fast food

Give two drive-through favorites get a candy-aisle makeover! Cut a cupcake in half to create a "bun" then use sweet candies and cookies to create the full "meal." Too fun!

Tip: For a surprise inside, add dollops of red and yellow frosting as condiments.
Get the recipe!



dessert for breakfastDessert for Breakfast
Trick your family with a surprisingly sweet start to their day. These eggs with a mini marshmallow "yolk" center and taffy bacon will have your kids singing your praise.
Get the recipe!






sweet sandwichSweet Sandwich
When it comes to this sugary pseudo-sammy BLT stands for "better look twice!" Green fruit-leather "lettuce," taffy "bacon" and white frosting "mayo" makes the cupcake "sandwich" the perfect package!
Get the recipe!






bottoms up!Bottoms Up!
Take a sip -- er, bite -- from a marshmallow-topped mug. No