Carol Richie
Summer Entertaining

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A study done by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association found that
43 PERCENT of consumers say the best cook-out is one that is planned a few days ahead of time. But, procrastinators shouldn’t fret because there’s still room for last minute get-togethers with 38 PERCENT preferring a more spur-of-the-moment gathering.
www.hpba.com

Appetizers are a great way to start off the party and here we have a really easy one – it’s a creamy salsa dip. You just mix up some Philadelphia cream cheese and a cup of your favorite salsa. Then you put out some chips or veggies for dipping and you’re all set!
Creamy Salsa Dip

Mix cream cheese and salsa until well blended
Serve with cut up veggies or chips

Here’s another great summer drink….
New Amsterdam Straight Gin is a new American-style gin with unique citrus elements and a lighter emphasis on juniper that makes it so smooth, you can drink it straight. But it’s also versatile enough to be a great base for delicious summer cocktails. Like the “Queens”, a delicious, refreshing gin cocktail made with simple ingredients found right in your kitchen: pineapple juice, ginger and cilantro. This drink pairs perfectly with barbecue favorites such as grilled steak and chicken.
For more drink recipes visit:www.newamsterdamgin.com

Ingredients:
2 oz New Amsterdam Gin
4 sprigs of cilantro
2 ½ oz pineapple juice
2 pinches ground ginger
½ oz lime juice

Muddle cilantro until juicy, add all other ingredients, shake hard, strain into a martini glass and garnish with a pineapple chunk and cilantro.

Nearly 82% of consumers prefer burgers when it comes to barbecuing. And with budgets tighter these days, it’s a really affordable choice! In fact, you can make a quarter-pound cheeseburger using KRAFT Singles for under a single dollar. This cheese makes hamburgers even more delicious with its perfect melt and creamy texture. This summer, KRAFT Singles has partnered with Minor League Baseball, offering “Tuesday Night Tickets,” a buy one ticket get one free offer from KRAFT Singles with proof of purchase. Bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the ballpark box office on Tuesday nights and get one ticket free from Kraft when a regular priced ticket is purchased. It’s a wonderful way to make a family outing a little more affordable.
For more information: www.kraftsingles.com
F5
Wines are a great choice for summer entertaining….
The Beringer Founders’ Estate wines offer everyday value from a trusted, historic winery. These wines have a great selection and a wide variety. They also are very approachable and food-friendly so they can be paired with any number of foods-- anything from shrimp cocktail to a juicy burger! The flavorful and approachable style is indeed a fitting tribute to founders, Jacob and Frederick Beringer. Beringer has been making wine since 1876 – over 130 years – so their talented winemakers know how to craft wines that are well balanced and pair with a variety of foods. These wines are handcrafted from premium California grapes sourced from coastal vineyards ranging from Santa Barbara County to Sonoma County. The line has 9 varieties: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauv Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and Zinfandel
Price: $8-11
Availability: most grocery stores

Ingredients:
1 – 1lb box of your favorite brownie mix (water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box)
1 package of cream cheese softened
1/3 cup sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
½ cup apple jelly