Burger Bash 101: How to Throw an Awesome Burger Night With Friends

Throwing a party can be a lot of fun, but it also requires you to think everything through. From figuring out what to serve to ensure there are enough drinks and snacks to choosing the best games to play, there’s a lot of planning and organizing involved in throwing a fantastic, memorable party night.

One way you can make a party better? Make it all about everyone’s favorite comfort food – burgers! Juicy and delicious, a burger is an ideal crowd-pleaser and a superb choice for a casual night with friends. Below, a few tips on how you can throw an awesome burger bash and make sure everyone remembers it.

Pick a theme to stick to

When looking to throw an awesome burger night with friends, you want to start by tackling the basics. Imagine how you want your party to look like. Are there any recurring elements, colors, and the like? This can be your party theme. Having a themed party is great for several reasons.

For starters, it makes it easier to decide on the decorations, entertainment, food, etc. It makes everything look cohesive and unified, and it helps your party stand out. What’s more, your guests will know what to expect once they know what the party theme will be. You can take things a step further and have your guests follow a dress code. It can make things a lot more fun and take your burger bash to the next level.

Get cooking!

Once you’ve tackled the party theme and decor, it’s time to move on to the real star of the show – food. Since your party night will be all about burgers, you need to decide how much you need, and then gather up all the ingredients.

If you’re not so great at the kitchen or are simply short on time, no worries! Sometimes, getting the food on the table can be as simple as finding that one place in town that offers the best burgers around and ordering your favorite ones. Depending on your preferences, you can have them delivered or pick them up yourself. Either way, having someone else tackle the cooking part will help you focus on other aspects of your burger bash, ensuring your guests have an amazing time.

Consider the side dishes

Burgers are great and all, but even they need a side dish or two to feel complete. Depending on the type of burgers you’ll be serving, you can offer everything from salads and veggies to pastas and fries. For deliciously perfect pairing, consider the taste profile of each burger. Then, select the side dish that will correspond to it and balance everything out.

Enrich your burger dishes with creamed spinach and baked beans, or serve up the health-conscious steamed asparagus and pickled veggies. Keep it crunchy with zucchini chips, cut calories with sweet potato fries, or make it juicy with roasted tomatoes. You can also freshen things up with a melon and cucumber salad, avocado salad, or pasta salad. Or, go all the way and serve up some sinfully delicious onion rings and some hearty mac and cheese. When it comes to burger side dishes, the world is your oyster!

Serve up drinks and sweets

Alcoholic or not, drinks are an essential part of social gatherings, especially after a hearty dish like burgers. Depending on the seating arrangement, available space, and party theme, you can serve your drinks in several ways.

For a more casual vibe, set up a DIY drink station equipped with patterned runners, colorful straws, and fun garnishes. You can also use your console table as a bar, or put everything in a beverage tub. Don’t forget to serve up some scrumptious treats as a little something to satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth. This can include anything from the perfectly summery s’mores cake to ultimate party desserts such as brownies, donuts, and cupcakes.

Let the games begin!

After a finger-licking good feast, it’s time to move on to activities. If your party is taking place outdoors, take advantage of the weather by playing games such as beer pong, outdoor twister, or giant Jenga.

For indoor parties, card games along with charades are always a good idea. To make your party games even more fun, add a little alcohol to the mix. With a couple of modifications, any game can become a drinking game and turn a party into a memorable feast.

Wrapping up

As a party host, you want to ensure everyone is having a good time. With a little planning and organizing, you can have the burger bash that will have everyone talking about it for days afterward.

About The Author

Taylor Parker is an American-based writer and blogger. She is very passionate about family, fashion, health, and lifestyle. Taylor writes mostly lifestyle articles, but also you’ll find her in home improvement and other niches.  You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter

Low-Carb Snacks for Game Day 

Living a low-carb lifestyle doesn’t require sacrificing great foods when you’re entertaining for the big game. Low-Carb foods can be made to accommodate everyone’s tastes and with a few swaps, you can please not only your carb-conscious crowd but anyone who loves party foods! 

The key to any game day preparation is a game plan. Most everything can be made ahead, and when it comes to dips, if possible, I make them 24 hours in advance, allowing for the flavors to blend for that extra pop. 

Chili & Hot Wings

I recommend having a nice assortment of hot and cold foods that are easy for grab and go and grazing. Two warm staples we never go without are chili and hot wings. Chili is one of those comfort foods that eases everyone’s tension, even when the score might not be in their favor. Low-Carb chili is very straightforward and easy to make with just a few ingredients. You can also add in sour cream, sliced or shredded cheese for added flavor.  Hot wings are synonymous with game day gatherings and are naturally low-carb. Skip the breading and go right for the seasonings and this platter will empty very quickly. Store-bought hot sauce is a great low-carb option if you would like to spice up the wings a bit more. Blue cheese and ranch dressings are the perfect low-carb pairings to top off the flavor.

Dips

Dips are another must-have for the big game. They can be easily placed around the room so your guests can enjoy them at their leisure. There are plenty of hot and cold low-carb dip options, so I like to have at least one of each. A fan favorite is my Dill Pickle DipIt’s creamy, and delicious and goes with just about every kind of food for dipping. The seven-layer dip is always a hit and so easy to prepare with cream cheese, chili, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. Since traditional crackers, chips, and corn chips are high in carbs, my most frequently asked question when it comes to dip is “what do I use to scoop the dip?” More and more options have become available in your local supermarket such as parmesan cheese crisps, low-carb crackers, and low-carb tortilla chips. Still, some of the best dipping options are fresh vegetables, I typically offer an assortment of celery, cucumber slices, broccoli, and sweet mini peppers as those tend to be milder in flavor allowing for the dip to be the MVP. 

Finger Foods/Appetizers 

I also like to serve finger foods and small appetizers; they are easily portable from the table to the couchYou can never go wrong with sliders, these mini burgers can be topped with caramelized onions, bacon, and cheese and pack such a flavor punch, your guests will never miss the bun! When it comes to scoring points, Stuffed Jalapenos are another superstar. They are easy to make with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon and pair well with sliders. 

Charcuterie Board

Another perfect pairing: a scoreboard and charcuterie board! It is beautiful and easily customizable for a low-carb lifestyle. Simply replace grain-based crackers and sugar jams with low-carb options. I like to use an assortment of meats, cheeses, veggies, berries, and nuts. Garnish with fresh herbs such as rosemary and parsley. You can also stay spirited by styling your meats/cheeses in the shape of a football or the logo of your favorite team! 

Sweet Treats

Don’t forget the sweets! Whether you are capping off the night or just looking for half-

time boost, your guests can indulge in sweet treats without the carb and sugar crash. Mini single-serve cheesecakes are a great low-carb option, you can whip them up in no time. If you are stretched for time, they have low-carb cookies and baking mixes that can be found at most local grocery stores. I also like to offer an assortment of berries and fresh whipped cream, not only are they refreshing and healthy, but also a dish you can have fun with due to the array of colors and styling options. 

About The Author

Natasha Newton is the author of bestselling books Southern Keto, Southern Keto: Beyond the Basics, and the recently released, Let’s Celebrate. Natasha has a passion for creating and sharing delicious, family-friendly low-carb recipes that are easy to make and use readily accessible ingredients. She does it with Southern flair, of course! For more on Natasha and her recipes, visit https://natashassouthernflavor.com

A Vegetarian Diet Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive If You Follow These Tips

 

You may be thinking that eating a vegetarian diet includes specialized foods that will rack up your grocery bills. While it can sometimes be true that healthy foods, organically grown and raised may have a higher price tag, there are ways you can mitigate the cost, eat a clean vegetarian diet and stay fit and healthy.

 

What is a Vegetarian Diet?

People often confuse vegetarian with vegan, which can lead to the assumption that it is more expensive. Vegetarian diets are different from vegan diets, as animal products can still be consumed to a certain extent. Vegan diets don’t allow for any animal products to be consumed, including eggs, and gelatin. So a vegetarian will not consume animal meat, but they may consume things such as eggs and certain food produced with animal by-products. Some vegetarian diets will also still allow for cows’ milk to be consumed.

 

The first step to take when deciding your diet, which will affect the pricing, is to decide what class of vegetarian diet you will follow. If you will still be eating eggs, then you have a cheap source of great protein still available, while going ahead and cutting ou animal flesh. What type of products are consumed will depend on your specific views, be ethical, religious, or otherwise. Once you know what you will allow yourself and not allow yourself to consume, you can get a better idea of the cost of your diet.

 

Great food Options for Vegetarians

 

Oats

Oats are often a staple of vegetarian diets, they are very filling, give you lots of nutrients and fiber, and can be prepared in many different ways. Oats are often well priced, and you can buy bulk oats to reduce the cost even further and make sure you will always have a good supply. From baked goods to a hearty bowl of oatmeal in the morning, oats are one of the staple ingredients in many vegetarian dishes due to their diversity and ease of use.

 

Vegetables

As the name would dictate, vegetarians will consume several vegetables. From root vegetables to sprouts to fresh fruit, there are a plethora of options available for vegetarians. A great way to reduce the price of vegetables and ensure you are receiving quality products is to purchase directly from the source. Finding a farm that will provide fresh vegetable cuts out the middle man of the store, reducing the overhead prices they need to charge to make business. This results in a greatly discounted price for your purchase. Finding a local farmer or farmers’ market to provide all your produce direct from the farm is often a lot easier than you may think. This is a great way to reduce your food costs, but also to know exactly where your food is coming from and that it was produced to meet your specific beliefs.

 

Chop your Produce

Often the cleaning and cutting process on vegetables increases their price, as it increases the labor required to produce and provide it. One way to lower your food expenses is to purchase whole fruits and vegetables in bulk. If you take the time to clean, chop and process your foods, you will find some incredible deals that will dramatically reduce your spending on food. While you may think bulk purchases need to be consumed right away, that isn’t the case, You can do home canning and preserving of your food so that your bulk purchase can feed you and your family for a few months to come. When looking for your fresh produce provider, ask them about the different prices for processed and non-processed vegetables, and you may be pleasantly surprised at how much money you can save following this method.

 

Growing Your Food

Growing your food at home can not only reduce your food budget but give you a great hobby that will allow you to access fresh herbs and vegetables on demand from your backyard. Growing your food is also a great way to ensure that your food is organic, without the use of pesticides, and any other considerations you may have regarding your produce. Having an at-home garden is also a wonderful activity to have with your family and to teach your children about responsibility and sustainability. If you have been considering the option of having a garden at home, now is the time to take action on that plan, you can’t go wrong with fresh, almost free food from home; and the taste of fresh vegetables cannot be beaten.

 

Buy Frozen, not Fresh at the Grocery Store

While you may have heard that frozen vegetables are not as healthy as fresh, that’s not always the case. And frozen vegetables will often have a much lower price tag. Granted some foods just taste better fresh, and it’s up to you to decide how and when you want to buy your items. But don’t be afraid to check out the freezer aisle. That large bag of peas or carrots may be one of the cheapest products you can buy, which will allow you to make multiple tasty meals.

 

Once you have decided what type of products you are comfortable eating, you can start to make your food budget. If you review all of your options for pricing, check with local farmers, and aren’t afraid to check out the freezer aisle, you are sure to find everything you need to make tasty and wholesome vegetarian dishes with low price tags. When starting a vegetarian diet, the most important thing to remember is to go slow and make changes as you are ready for them, rather than jumping in blind. So do your research, find a great provider, and purchase the foods you are comfortable consuming.

 

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to eating a vegetarian diet, so make your diet your own and make it work for you. As with any diet, the most important concern is to make sure you are eating the nutrients you need, and taking on the diet because you choose it’s right, not due to external pressures. Once you decide to eat vegetarian, you will find what works for you, and with these easy tips, you can save some money along the way!

Different Types of Coffee To Try with Your Home Coffee Machines

You must have purchased your own best small coffee machine and now you are eager to know what are the different types of coffee you can try on your coffee machine. On the other hand, if you have yet to purchase your coffee machine, you don’t need to worry as there are a lot of the best coffee machines in Australia that you can choose from. Now let’s set that aside, and go over the different types of coffee that you can try on your coffee machine.

 

Coffee Beans

If you are someone who likes pure coffee, you may want to brew coffee beans directly to your coffee machines. Hence, we recommend the most popular coffee beans below.

Arabica

This coffee is the most popular type. This coffee bean is typically used for black coffee, and this coffee has a sweeter and richer flavor. However, if you’re drinking coffee because you’d want to benefit more from the caffeine, this type of coffee doesn’t have much caffeine as the other coffee bean.

Robusta

While the first coffee bean is the most popular type of coffee, if you’re looking for a budget coffee bean, Robusta is for you. This coffee bean is much stronger and has a bitter flavor. This type of coffee is most commonly used for espresso drinks and instant coffee mixes.

Coffee Drinks

If pure coffee is not your cup of coffee, we have listed different variations of coffee that you can make in your coffee machine. Latte, cappuccino, americano, and many more! There are so many coffee types that you can do with just a few small beans.

Latte

This is the most by far popular coffee drink in the market. This is a classic drink that is typically 1/3 espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, and with a touch of foam. Latte also has options that you can choose, you can have it plain or with a flavor shot of your choice.

Cappuccino

This type of coffee is also a latte but it’s made with more foam than steamed milk that you can top with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top. There are also a lot of variations that you can choose like those that use cream instead of milk.

Espresso

This type of coffee can be served solo that’s called an espresso shot, while this is also used as the foundation of most coffee drinks like lattes.\

Americano

If you’re a black coffee person, Americano has a similar flavor to black coffee but Americano consists of an espresso shot diluted in hot water. You can make this if you want other variations for a black coffee.

Cortado

A Cortado is a perfect balance of espresso and steamed milk. The steamed milk is used to lessen the espresso’s acidity.

Macchiato

In Italian, macchiato means “stained” or “spotted,” it refers to coffee that’s been stained with milk. In other words, a macchiato is an espresso-based coffee with just a touch of steamed milk or foam on top.

Flat White

This drink consists of espresso and steamed milk, though it may be the same as the latte, the difference is that this coffee has a higher ratio of espresso than milk.

Mocha Latte

If you’re a chocolate lover, you’re probably gonna in love with this type of drink. Mocha has a sweet twist on the latte which is flavored with sugar and chocolates like cocoa powder, syrup, or melted chocolate.

Irish Coffee

Irish coffee is a combination of black coffee, whiskey, and sugar that is topped with whipped cream.

Types of Ice Coffee

This type of coffee is a trend and is very refreshing to drink on hot summer days. We listed the best ice coffees below that you can make on your own.

Cold Brew

This type of iced coffee is one of the drinks that’s in trend. Cold brew is made by slowly stepping coffee beans over cool or room temperature water which makes it taste smoother and less bitter than a regular iced coffee.

Nitro Cold Brew

Yes, that is what is it called. Nitro coffee is a cold brew that has added nitrogen bubbles which result in a cold brew coffee with a frothy, beer-like texture.

Frappuccino

This type of iced coffee is a blended iced coffee that contains some kind of milk and flavored syrup with the top layer topped with whipped cream.

Mazagran

Mazagran coffee is a mix between iced coffee, tea, and rum. It typically consists of espresso, lemon, sugar, and the option of rum.

Conclusion

With your home coffee machines, you can make a lot of coffee variations be it in hot or cold coffee.  With the list, you can now make your cup of coffee to start your day or whenever you’d like a coffee to kick in your day or just to have your favorite drink to make your day a better day.

The Best Weed Brownies Recipe

An edible weed brownie is the most in-demand cannabis by-product after the plant itself. Apart from their gooey sweetness, they pack a significant high that most people prefer. Instead of smoking, edibles are another way to get as high, if not more.

As a result of their popularity, several people are always wondering how to make weed brownies. There is a lot to consider in the baking process. For instance, you must use the Cake Mix strain containing some key ingredients. Also, unlike regular brownies, these need a specific step-by-step recipe.

Considering that different people swear by their weed brownie recipe, it may be confusing which one is the best. We reviewed several celebrities’ and top baker’s recipes and came up with what is sure to make you most gooey, delicious, and not forgetting potency.

 

Whats in a Pot Brownie?

For those that have never tried one of these delicacies, it is understandable to wonder what is so special about such brownies. A weed brownie is like any other pastry. It contains essential cake ingredients like flour, sugar, vanilla extract (when preferred), and more. 

What makes these brownies special is the THC content derived from Cannabis. This Cannabinoid THC requires a special type of extraction to be present. Without that special ingredient, your product will be just that of chocolate brownies without a high possibility.

 

How to Pack that Special Ingredient in your Brownies

THC and CBD are two of the essential parts of the weed plant. The latter is effective in pain management, while the former is responsible for the high feeling of using the plant. To have the THC in your brownies, you will need to perform a decarboxylation process. 

The plant version of Cannabis contains THCA, which is inactive. To turn it into THC, you must bake it in a preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes. 

After the baking, you should take the decarboxylated weed and place it in a pan with butter, and seer the content on low heat for an hour. Depending on whether you want the plant debris, you can choose to strain your butter or not. 

Something worth poring over when making your Cannabis butter is the potency. Basic stoner math dictates that to pinpoint the approximate potency of your butter, you need to know the grams of the flower used and its THC level. The math part involves multiplying the number of grams of the weed by a thousand and additionally by the THC level. 

 

A Quicker Method

Not everyone has the time to wait for Cannabis to get infused in oil. Luckily enough, there are processed Cannabutters that are on sale in dispensaries. These versions have the THC content pre-determined and hence are more accessible to dose when making your brownies. Also, they cut out the decarboxylation process meaning you can get straight into the recipe. 

 

The Best Brownie Recipe

Ingredients

● 1 cup of sugar
● 3/4 cup Cocoa powder
● 1 pinch salt
● Water as required
● 1 stick of Cannabis butter 
● 2 large eggs
● Vanilla extract
● 1/4 cup of flour
● Chocolate toppings/ chocolate

Steps to Follow

• Step 1: In a bowl, mix your sugar, cocoa powder, cannabis butter, salt, vanilla extract, and water. Proceed to mix these until they all get blended nicely.
• Step 2: Add the eggs one at a time to your mixture. On adding the first egg, beat the mixture until the egg combines with the rest of the ingredients. Then add the second egg and beat the mixture hard. Stop the beating when the combination has a glossy look.
• Step 4: Add flour to the mixture and mix well.
• Step 5: Take your brownie pan and grease it with regular butter. Using a stainless-steel pan is advisable to prevent the brownies from sticking to the bottom.
• Step 6: Preheat the oven to 162°C.
• Step 7: Pour your brownie mix into your pan and spread it evenly.
• Step 8: Place your pan in the oven and bake its contents for 20-30 minutes. After a significant amount of time, you can poke the brownies with a toothpick to determine whether they are done. 
• Step 9: When done, remove your brownies and wait for them to cool down and serve as you wish. 

Happy Baking

When making pot brownies, different people have different needs. Whether you want a highly potent batch or a less potent one, it all comes down to the Cannabis butter used and the strain of weed. 

One of the reasons it is always advisable to use store-bought strains is the ability to figure out the potency. Using the basic stoner math illustrated above, you will have a close enough estimate of the THC level in your brownies. If you want a high dosage, go for a high THC level strain. 

Otherwise, the brownie baking process is as breezy as baking any other type of pastry. We hope you have some fun making your brownie bunch with our recipe.

9 Dinner Shortcuts To Try This Week

Whether you enjoy cooking or not, not everyone has the time to spend the day in the kitchen. Most parents are too busy working, taking care of household chores and keeping an eye on their children. 

If you’re in the same boat, you need as many shortcuts as possible to get a home-cooked meal on time.

Here are nine dinner shortcuts you can try out yourself.

 

Grab the Crockpot

Make the most of your crockpot when creating an effortless meal. Most people love the crockpot since all you do is dump your ingredients into the pot and let it cook for you.

However, you should avoid waiting until dinner time is here. While some recipes only take three hours to cook. Other recipes take up to eight hours to make. 

One quick tip is to gather all the ingredients in the morning. Throw it into the slow cooker and let it simmer all day until it’s time to eat. 

 

Use a Mixer for Shredded Chicken

Instead of using your hands to shred chicken manually, why not try a mixer? Whether you have a hand mixer or stand mixer, these cooking devices save you time shredding chicken.

Before you start the shredding process, boil your chicken first. Then while it’s still hot, add the chicken to a bowl and use your mixer to shred.

It’s so easy that you won’t ever go back to manual shredding again.

 

Use Parchment Paper

Parchment paper will always be a life-saver when it comes to cleaning. 

Consider lining the pan with parchment paper when you bake or roast your meal. Using this to line your pans will save you from having to scrub them during clean-up time.

Parchment paper is oven-safe. Plus, it makes your meals easier to transfer into a container if you need to save the rest for later.

 

Grab Takeout

One of the most obvious dinner shortcuts is to save yourself the hassle and grab takeout.

Yes, you might be spending extra money. However, you have no reason to feel guilty about it, especially when cooking for a family is always challenging.

Whether you love savory Asian cuisine meals or want to keep it simple and order a pizza, there’s no shame. It’s better than standing in front of the fridge for twenty minutes trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.

 

Batch Cook and Freeze

Batch cooking and freezing are perfect for those meals that take a good while to cook. For instance, quinoa takes around 25 minutes to cook fully.

You can save time by cooking large batches and placing them in the freezer. This is the perfect dinner shortcut if you have limited time and little energy like many others. 

Now you won’t have to consider what to make for dinner. You have quinoa ready to cook in the microwave.

Make Salads

The easiest way to save time on dinner is to go with a simple salad. Salads are quick and easy to make. Plus, if you need to add some protein, here’s a quick tip.

On Sundays, cook a batch of chicken on the grill. That way, you have healthy and delicious-tasting chicken salads for the entire week. 

 

Buy Prepped Packs of Veggies

Freshly chopped veggies are great and everything. However, sometimes it’s worth it to buy the prepped vegetables that come in a package. 

If you go to your local grocery store, they should have packaged veggies washed and chopped near the produce section. 

You can also get the same packages that have ready-to-cook meats. For example, they have cooked, frozen chicken strips ready to heat up. You can practically make an instant stir-fry by mixing the two types of packages.

 

Marinate Meat and Freeze

Have you ever grabbed chicken out of the fridge and realized it needs to marinate for several hours beforehand? 

Whenever you freeze your chicken or any other meat, make sure to freeze it with the marinade. While it’s thawing, you save a step in the process.

Plus, the meat marinating while freezing and defrosting will still taste just as good as marinating in the fridge.

 

Buy a Rotisserie Chicken

Rotisserie chickens are perfect because they’re already made. They taste delicious and you get a ton of meat cheaper than an entire meal at McDonald’s.

Once you get home, grab a fork and shred the chicken. As soon as you have your shredded chicken, you can use it as a base protein for practically any meal. 

For example, you can make shredded chicken tacos in such a small amount of time.

 

Make Cooking Dinner Easy

Your schedule is busy, and who has the time to make dinner every night these days? Instead of wasting precious time cooking an entire meal, use these tricks above to cook your favorite meals fast.

Start by planning your meals first, so you’re not stuck figuring out what’s for dinner.

 

About The Author

Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy. 

5 Bougie Recipes to Try With Your Friends

After a long week of adulting, you could use a fun night with your friends. However, simple pasta dishes and take-out get boring after a while.

Instead, a well-deserved gourmet meal will leave a lasting impression on those you love. Allow these five bougie recipes to help you decide what to cook up for a fancy dinner date at home with your best gal pals.

Charcuterie Boards

There comes a day when your shopping interests shift toward kitchen splurges, such as a cast-iron dutch oven, cheese knife set and cordial glassware. You might even peruse the houseware aisles for a beautiful, budget-friendly charcuterie board — because why not? You could always use one.

 

Charcuterie boards are versatile cheese and meat boards perfect for holidays, game nights or fun gatherings with friends. They’re easy to throw together at a moment’s notice and may include soft and hard cheeses, cured or smoked meats, savory nuts, olives, veggies, fresh and dried fruits, crackers, dips, etc.

 

Of course, there’s a trick to creating a stunning board, beginning with placing the dip bowls and cheeses down first, then rolling the meats and fanning them out.

 

Fill in the gaps with sweet and savory accompaniments — nuts, chocolates, fruits, veggies — and finally, add a variety of crackers.

Creative Crostinis

Save the mozzarella sticks and hot wings for a no-frills evening alone in your fuzzy slippers — because crostinis are the bougie finger foods you and your friends have been missing out on.

 

Most crostinis start with the same base — a crusty, toasty slice of French baguette that practically melts in your mouth. However, the real show stopper is the ingredients you put on top.

 

Pear, brie and honey are a popular combination in which you may decide to grill the pear slices for an enhanced charred flavor. Bake the crostini and brie in the oven at 400° Fahrenheit for five to seven minutes; then, add grilled pear slices, honey and a sprig of rosemary for garnish.

 

Another crostini option might include sliced strawberries tossed in a blend of balsamic vinegar, pepper and sugar and assembled with ricotta cheese, lemon juice and mint on a toasted baguette.

 

Depending on how gourmet you want dinner to be, the most bougie crostinis are caviar canapés. To make canapés, start with a toasted baguette and rich crème Fraiche — then add cured or smoked protein or vegetables to help round out the delicate caviar garnishing.

Fancy Flatbreads

Upgrade your pizza game with gourmet flatbread recipes. Like crostinis, there are several ways to create flatbreads with mouth-watering flavor.

 

Assemble a delicious Caprese flatbread on store-bought naan or thin pizza crust for a quick appetizer or dinner. Bake the flatbread with red sauce, cherry tomatoes, gooey mozzarella and Italian seasonings for five to seven minutes at 450° F. Then garnish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh basil.

 

A caramelized mushroom flatbread is another fancy flatbread you can make, requiring baby portobello mushrooms, a shallot, Havarti and parmesan cheeses, pesto and chopped spinach. You’ll need to sauté mushrooms and shallots with oil for this recipe before assembling and baking your flatbread.

 

If your palette leans toward sweet, you might consider a nectarine, basil and reduced balsamic flatbread recipe instead. Heat balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on medium-high until it simmers and thickens — but watch that it doesn’t burn.

 

Assemble your flatbread with cheese, like goat cheese, ricotta or mozzarella. Then, add nectarine or peach slices and a sprinkle with parmesan before baking it in the oven.

 

Drizzle your flatbread with balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of basil and arugula when it’s finished.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Take a bougie restaurant favorite, like chicken cordon bleu and turn it into an easy at-home recipe you can make for your friends.

 

There are two parts to chicken cordon bleu — the chicken rolls and the sauce. Pound boneless chicken breasts thinly, season with salt and pepper and top each slice with ham and Gruyere or Swiss cheese. Then roll the chicken and secure it with a toothpick.

 

Dip each chicken roll into a garlic butter mix and coat them with breadcrumbs and thyme. Bake at 350° F for 35 to 40 minutes; then check to ensure the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165° F.

 

To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and cook for one minute. Then add milk, white wine, Dijon mustard, chicken bouillon and Worcestershire sauce until it boils. Reduce the heat while whisking for one minute before removing the pan and adding parmesan. Serve the bechamel over the chicken and sprinkle with parsley or more thyme.

No-Torch Crème Brulee

A get-together with your gal pals demands a sweet treat to end the evening right. Keep dessert bougie, simple and safe with a no-torch crème brulee.

 

Add skim milk, sugar and vanilla extract to a saucepan on low heat until the sugar dissolves. Then, beat egg yolks in a small bowl, stirring in the cream, straining the liquid and pouring it evenly into broil-safe ceramic ramekins.

 

Place the ramekins on a 13-inch by 9-inch pan and into the oven at 325° F. Add boiling water to the pan until it reaches two-thirds of the ramekin’s height and bake for 25 to 40 minutes.

 

When the custard is just right, transfer the ramekins to a cooling rack and refrigerate for two hours. Before serving, sprinkle brown sugar on top and broil until it browns, watching that it doesn’t burn. Top with fresh berries or whipped cream before serving.

 

Be Bougie With Great Friends and Good Food

Cooking may not always be in the cards, especially after working all day and taking care of essential responsibilities — but everyone enjoys eating a gourmet meal. These bougie recipes will surely satisfy diverse palettes, from appetizers to meals to dessert.

About The Author

Ava Roman (she/her) is the Managing Editor of Revivalist, a women’s lifestyle magazine that empowers women to live their most authentic life. When Ava is not writing you’ll find her in a yoga class, advocating for body positivity, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or smashing the patriarchy. 

15 Spring Cocktails for 2022

Spring is officially here which means that there are spring cocktails ready to be made. Whether you’re having a party or just looking to spice up your day, these 15 cocktails are sure to have you in the spring spirit.

1. Cherry Blossom

  • 1.25 oz 1800 Silver Tequila
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz grapefruit juice
  • .25 oz grenadine

2. The Honey Rose Margarita

  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 2 oz Blanco tequila
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • .5 oz honey water
  • 2 dashes of rose water

3. Mezcal Pineapple Sour

  • 1.5 oz Doña Vega Espadín
  • .5 oz fresh pineapple juice
  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • .75 oz agave
  • 1 egg white

4. Mint Julep

  • 2 mint sprigs
  • 2 oz Black Maple Hill Bourbon
  • .5 oz simple syrup

5. Bourbini

  • 1 oz Heaven Hill 6-Year Bourbon
  • 2 dashes of peach bitters
  • .5 oz Mathilde Peche peach liqueur
  • Sparkling wine

6. The Garden Rose

  • 1 oz Volcan de mi Tierra Blanco
  • .75 oz St. Germain
  • .75 oz simple syrup
  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • 4 shakes of rose water
  • 1 muddled strawberry

7. Tequila Honeysuckle

  • 2 oz Milagro Blanco Tequila
  • .75 oz honey syrup
  • .75 oz lime juice

8. The Bluebonnet

  • 1.5 oz Tequila Blanco
  • 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • .75 oz Cointreau
  • 1.5 oz simple syrup
  • Dash of Blue Curacoa and grenadine

9. Deep Cleanse

  • 1.5 oz Hendrick’s gin
  • 2 oz aloe vera juice
  • .5 oz simple syrup
  • 3 cucumber slices

10. Strawberry Blond

  • 2 oz Tanteo Jalapeno
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • .75 oz simple syrup
  • 1 strawberry

11. Lizzy Lake

  • 1.5 oz Hendrick’s gin
  • 3 drops of rose water
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
  • 1 cucumber slices

12. Basil Tom Collins

  • 1.5 oz Reyka vodka
  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • .5 oz simple syrup
  • Club soda
  • Basil leaves

13. The Parasol

  • .5 oz Lillet Blanc
  • .5 oz St. Germain
  • .5 oz honey syrup
  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • 3 oz champagne

14. Vibrant Sunrise

  • 1/3 of a muddled blood orange
  • 2 oz Royal Gate gin
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • Dash of agave
  • Cayenne and salt for rim

15. Corpse Reviver

  • 1.5 oz Tanqueray 10 gin
  • .5 oz Cointreau
  • .5 oz Lillet Blanc
  • .75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Dash of absinthe

These drinks are for adults 21 years and older. As always, drink responsibly and have fun!

Header Image Source

About The Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Any Dish According To Experienced Chefs.

 

Cooking is an art that only a handful of people can master. For others who cook, it is just a life skill that needs to be known for survival.  In either case, when you are cooking, sticking to the basic recipe is the secret to a tasty dish. Depending only upon recipe book instructions or gut feeling can sometimes prove disastrous for your dish. If you are not a professional chef who has the required experience and knowledge,  never experiment with the recipe or the ingredients. This is because your lack of experience can result in a combination of undesirable flavors that can ruin the dish. Sometimes one is not able to diagnose these mistakes at the right time resulting in a faulty dish. Here is a list of mistakes that can easily ruin a dish in no time.

 

Not Using The Right Tools And Utensils

From preparing ingredients for a dish to cooking it you will need a lot of tools and utensils. These tools ought to be right to ensure nothing goes wrong with your cooking process. The Damascus steel chef knives , utensils, and other cooking equipment are important factors that help in curating the perfect dish. If you are not using the right tools in the process of cooking your dish, it will not result in the best of its version. The wrong kind of knife will make your dish ingredients look disproportionate and so will the wrong utensil not cook it properly and either leave it overcooked or undercooked.

 

Timing

The timing and sequence of every action during the process of preparing a dish can play a huge part in how it tastes and looks. Even a minute miss can completely destroy your dish. If you are going to bake and have not added the ingredients after what is prescribed the cake will not be tasty and might not bake at all. To avoid such mishaps always follow the timings that have been prescribed by your cookbook.

Missing An Ingredient

Missing even a single ingredient in a dish is criminal. A dish as you know combines a lot of flavors which over time smell and taste different after varying the degrees of cooking. Sometimes an ingredient has a direct impact on the texture of the next ingredient that is to be added to the dish. Basically even a minute miss can completely overturn your dish.

 

Losing Patience

As mentioned before, cooking is an art. Witnessing the unfolding of the flavors of various ingredients during the process of preparation is an act of patience. Sometimes a dish might take longer than normal in order to completely get prepared. For this reason, being patient is imperative. The best cooks are said to have the most patience and it shows in their final dish’s taste and presentation.

 

Measurements

Ingredient measurement is of utmost importance for any dish. In some ingredients the difference of even very few milligrams is critical. Keep your measuring tools handy to avoid any such eventuality.

Remember that a well-textured, tasty and well-cooked dish is a result of lots of experience, a perfect recipe, and the right ingredients with lots of patience. Never underestimate any such factor. If you enjoy cooking you must have realised the importance of all these factors and understood keeping all these factors in mind will definitely help you in concentrating on the enjoyable part of cooking rather than having to be anxious about the results all the time.

 

11 Ways To Turn The Sandwich Girl Into A Salad Girl

Spring is here and summer is coming around the corner. Whether you are working remotely or are back in the office again, eating healthier has never been more important. Though I was once a sandwich girl, I have learned to appreciate a salad or salad bowl instead. Here are eleven ways to convert yourself to a salad eater.

 

1.) Get good chopping knives

Food prep is truly the key. So find knives that are easy to clean and store. Pair your chopping knives with a antibacterial chopping board that will help keep your knives sharp.

 

2.) Get yourself to your local farmers’ market

Springtime means the farmer’s markets are open for business. There you will find seasonal vegetables and salads and other vegetables and fresh herbs.

 

3.)  Pick Your Protein

Are you vegan? Tofu is easy to fry, season and cube, making it the perfect protein for your salad. Other lean proteins such as salmon, tuna, shrimp, turkey, and chicken are also salad friendly and easy to season to taste.

 

4.) Make it Colorful

Salads can be beautiful and incorporate every color in the rainbow. Purple cabbage, red onions,  bright orange carrots, red and gold tomatoes, and hydrating celery and cucumber will help make your salad pop with color and flavor.

 

5.) Add some Crunch

Nutrient-dense dried fruit such as cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts can add some crunch to your salads in lieu of croutons which are basically bread. If you are looking for additional good fats, macadamia nuts can add some extra punch to your salad. Air fried chickpeas can also be a great crunchy addition that also adds to your protein quota.

 

6.) Micro Greens

One major addition to your salad is the microgreen. Dandelion root, sprouts, and arugula are all vitamin-packed and can add some tang to your salad topping.

 

7.) Hydrate Your Salad

Lemon, lime, and olive oil can hydrate your salad and will also add to the flavor of the dressing you choose.

 

8.) Add Herbs

Adding mint, rosemary, basil, oregano, or tarragon will give your wilted lettuce new life. Pair your herb-infused salad with a vinaigrette. On its own, a vinaigrette may not have enough bite, but it is healthier for you than a thick dressing.

 

9.) Say Yes To Some Grains

Your salad can become a salad bowl by adding brown rice, couscous, or quinoa.

 

10.) Mix and Match Your Lettuce

Lettuce can be mixed and matched. Don’t be afraid to make your salad extra busy with frisée, rocket, kale, romaine spinach, and more.

 

11.) Use Social Media To Share And Find Recipes

Now that you have created a beautiful salad, stay motivated to eat them daily. Take a colorful selfie of your salad. And seek out recipes on Instagram.

 

 

 

 

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