Blog Posts by RachaelRaymag.com

Grocery Cart Ambush1. NIX BOTTLED WATER Instead of splurging on packaged drinks, slice lemons, oranges, limes and cucumbers, then toss a few of each into ice-water pitchers.
Try it! Juicy Water

2. STRETCH BIG CUTS OF MEAT Pork shoulder is bang-for-your-buck party food: It costs less than $2 per pound and the fat marbling ensures moist meat no matter how much reheating it endures. Season, sear and toss into your slow cooker with a sauce (we like EVOO, canned tomatoes and vinegar); cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Serve straight out of the crock with fixings for a taco or slider bar.
Try it! Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

3. TRY DIY TRAIL MIX Create snacking stations around the room with a mix of basics from the bulk bin (60% cheaper than packaged!) like nuts, dried fruits and cereal.
Try it! Banana Split Trail Mix

4. SAVE ON BOOZE Sticking to beer and wine can help keep your bar tab low. Many beer brands now offer sampler packs, which means more variety for less money. For vino,

It's crispy and crunchy and meaty and cheesy and delicious -- and now it's on the grill. Watch out, burgers. Scoot over, sausage. It's time for pizza without the oven.

double cheese pizzaDouble Cheese Pizzas with Fire Roasted Tomatoes
These little pizzas have a spicy secret: The tomatoes are cooked in a red pepper oil that packs a delightful punch.
Get the Recipe



grilled eggplant pizzaSpice Grilled Eggplant, Feta & Spinach Pizzas
Grilling transforms eggplant, enhancing its natural smokiness and sweetness as the slices cook.
Get the Recipe



sausage pizzaHot Sausage & Sweet Pepper Pizzas with Almond Pesto
Who says a pizza has to have cheese? This dairy-free pie is packed with sweet-spicy flavor. For a vegan version, use soyrizo (spicy soy sausage) instead of Italian sausage.
Get the Recipe


poblano pizzaPoblano & Pepper Jack Pizzas with Avocado
Beer may be the classic pizza pairing but this Latin-leaning pie begs for a round of frosty margaritas!
Get the Recipe



gorgonzola pizzasGorgonzola Pizzas with Fig & Prosciutto
Greet guests with a platter of these pretty,

These gorgeous ice cream sandwiches are layered with grown-up flavors, but will still make you feel like a kid on summer vacation.

salted brownie sundae bitesSalted Brownie Sundae Bites
Start with a double dose of sea-salt-sprinkled brownies, then add a chunk of coffee ice cream and a ribbon of fudge sauce. Talk about "sundae" best!
Get the recipe






neapolitan cakewichesPistachio Neapolitan Cakewiches
These party-perfect sweets make a bold statement without a lot of work. Just sandwich ice cream between two layers of cake, freeze, then cut into bars.
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lemon meringue hand pies Lemon Meringue Hand Pies
We've taken what you love most about the classic pie-- tangy lemon filling, perfectly browned meringue-- and put it in portable form.
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chocolate-mint stacksChocolate-Mint Stacks
Forget cookies and milk. We're upgrading to this combo: cakey chocolate cookies, a scoop of minty ice cream and a swipe of fluffy frosting.
Get the recipe






heart sorbet sandwichesI-Heart-Raspberry Sorbet Sandwiches
What a difference a shape makes! These sparkly cuties, with their crispy cookies and

Chicken is one of the most popular meats to grill, so here's a chicken grilling guide with five techniques that get it right every time.

jamaican jerk chickenTechnique #1: Rubbing

Rubbing spices and seasonings onto chicken beforegrilling gives it high-impact flavor. If you blend the spices with oil first, you'll have twofold success: The oil helps seal in the juices and prevent the chicken from sticking to the grate.

Tip! Nix the chill before you grill! To cook chicken pieces quickly and evenly, let them stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes before placing them on the grate.

Get the Jamaican Jerk Drumsticks & Thighs recipe

apricot-date sticky wingsTechnique #2: Basting

Basting is the hands-down secret to sensational wings. Make your own sauce by using sweet dates, apricot jam and tangy sherry vinegar, then know when to slather it on (and when not to)! Since sugary ingredients can over-caramelize and burn, wait until the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Tip! Twist and Turn 'em! Unlike breasts or thighs,

Blackberries are in season in the late summer and -- other than being delicious -- we've gathered the top 5 reasons why you should buy them, plus what to do with them!

blackberries

They're nutrient rich. That deep color means blackberries are loaded with antioxidants, which work best in tandem with fiber. They've got that covered, too, with 8 grams per cup.

They help tame allergies. Blackberries contain an antioxidant called quercetin, which acts like a natural antihistamine to reduce inflammation.

They satisfy your sweet tooth (without sugar overload). With only 62 calories and 7 grams of sugar per cup, blackberries are lower in sugar than most other summer fruits.

They can be hard to read. Blackberries are ripe when their glossy shine turns a bit dull. To make sure they're not past their prime, tilt the box; if the berries roll around, you're good.

They'll keep well with the right care. Keep delicate (and pricey!) blackberries fresh longer by rinsing them just before using.

Eat and sightsee your way through London without spending a fortune! We've gathered the best insider deals and steals for these must-see activities.

Brixton Market1. Grab Some Grub
Brixton Market in south London houses more than a dozen canteen-style restaurants, ranging from American burgers to Pakistani street food. Make sure to order a banana, butterscotch and cream crepe (£5 [$8]) from live-music venue Brick Box. (COld Harbour Lane and Brixton Station Road)
Make your own! Puffy Pancake with Nutty Banana Buttersscotch



Pies 'n' mash2. Eat Like a Brit
Pies 'n' mash with liquor is so uniquely British it requires translation: beef pies with mashed potatoes and parsley gravy. M. Manze restaurant has been making the Cockney dish (£5 [$8]) since 1902. Its other specialty, jellied eels, needs no translation. (87 Tower Bridge Road)
Make your own! Horseradish-Mashed-Potato Shepherds Pie





Blackfriar Pub3. Have a Historic Pint
The 137-year-old Blackfriar pub feels more like a step back in time than a bar. Slide into one of the red

Summer Food Festivals 2012Pork, Peanut & Pine Festival
Surry, Virginia (July 21-22, 2012)

Slow down and smell the pine sap at this family-friendly festival held at Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry, a county known for its lumber industry. Join local farmers for a celebration of agriculture that features tractor pulls, antique farm equipment, steam-engine displays and pony rides. And don't forget the pork and peanuts: you'll find pickled pig's feet, chitterlings (pig intestines that have a texture similar to calamari), peanut butter cookies and sugar-coated peanuts!
Foods to try: The peanut pie -- like a pecan pie but with peanuts -- is a treasured Surry county recipe, often varied with the addition of raisins or chocolate chips.
Admission Fee: $5 for adults, free for children under 10
Get more info: Porkpeanutpinefestival.org
Chippokes Plantation State Park >>
Porkpeanutpinefestival.org >>

Gilroy Garlic Festival
Gilroy, California (July 27-29, 2012)

Follow your nose to Gilroy, home to the hundreds of

We tasted over 50 domestic beers to find the top 10 nationally available beers for summer. These foamy finalists deserve an invite to your next summer shindig!