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The Best Dinner Party Questions for Fun Conversation Starters

This post on dinner party questions will help you avoid awkward silence and maintain a lively conversation with your dinner guests. Plus you can get a printable version of 112…

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American Sparkling Wine: The Case to Celebrate Amazing Local Bubbles

American Sparkling winemaking has a fresh approach which represents a new type of wine thinking where curiosity and experimentation are comingled with tradition and technique. Sparkling wine producers in America…

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Black Beans vs Kidney Beans | How to Make a Healthy Choice

Adding beans to your diet means you take in more fiber, protein, folate, iron, and other important minerals which can reduce your risk of heart disease and aid in weight…

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Surf and Turf: The Best Steak and Lobster Wine Pairings

Steak and lobster wine pairings will become a bit less daunting with this guide. Steak and lobster or surf and turf brings to mind an elegant evening dining of fine…

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St. Patrick’s Day Party Foods and Drinks to Make you Dance Like a Happy Leprechaun

Make these St. Patrick’s Day Party foods! Add some green drink recipes and use the wine recommendations to create your own Leprechaun-worthy St. Patrick’s Day celebration! In America, we love…

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  • No-Bake Cheesecake tartlet with berries
    Food,  Recipes

    How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake with Berries: Cool Dessert

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    Make this No-Bake Cheesecake with Berries for your next gathering and you’ll be the coolest dessert maker around! Summertime cookouts are the best. There is nothing like gathering with friends and family to enjoy some good food and conversation. And what better way to top off the meal than with a delicious dessert? This no-bake cheesecake is light, refreshing, and perfect for summertime gatherings. It features tangy yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese for a rich flavor, but without the guilt. So go ahead and indulge in this heavenly dessert! Easy No-Bake Cheesecake for Summertime Cookouts I really enjoy a delicious, rich cheesecake from time to time. It is a simple…

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    RANI

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    Enjoy this Sangria Berry Sauce Recipe with Friends

    Easy Mixed Berry Sauce Recipe for a Grown-Up Dessert

    08/30/2023
    Sizzling platter of beef fajitas to cook for Father's Day

    Grill Out with this Phenomenal Father’s Day Fajitas Menu

    06/17/2020
    Sliced loaf of Traditional St. Patrick's Day food

    Bake this Irish Soda Bread Traditional Recipe for an Amazing St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

    02/24/2022
  • Mediterranean Pasta Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, herbs and feta cheese
    Food,  Recipes

    An Easy Pasta Salad Recipe to Cool Down Your Next Cookout

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    This is an easy Pasta Salad recipe and is the perfect side dish for your next get-together – it’s cool, refreshing, and loaded with flavor. Baby, it’s hot outside! I don’t want the heat in my kitchen so I am focused on grilling out and eating in. With summer in full swing, there’s nothing better than gathering with friends and family for a cookout. But if the heat is getting to you, don’t worry – this easy pasta salad recipe is the perfect solution. It really is a cool, refreshing side dish that explodes with Mediterranean flavors. Plus, it’s easy to make so you can spend more time enjoying your…

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    RANI

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    Festive Christmas Cosmo Cocktails

    A Marvelous Berry Merry Christmas Cosmopolitan Cocktail for Cheering

    12/07/2021
    Raw Leg of Lamb

    The Raw Truth: Planning a Dinner Party

    04/04/2020
    Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Red wine glaze on a glass cake stand

    How to Make a Striking Brunch Dessert | Recipe for Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Red Wine

    03/31/2022
  • Colorful and crunchy grilled coleslaw with dressing recipe
    Food,  Recipes

    How to Make Grilled Coleslaw with Dressing for a Surprising Addition to your Cookout

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    This Grilled Coleslaw with dressing is really going to WOW your guests at your next cookout! Forget the same old boring side dishes at your next cookout! Grilled coleslaw is a fun and easy way to add some excitement to the menu. The tangy dressing, which is a vinaigrette, pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the cabbage and carrots, and the grilled flavor gives it a delicious smoky taste. So why not give it a try? Your guests will love it! Is this Coleslaw Recipe Dressing With Mayo? Actually, no. This is not your typical recipe. This coleslaw recipe for dressing does not contain mayonnaise. The base is extra virgin…

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    RANI

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    Why we celebrate the 4th of July

    Do You Know Why We Celebrate July 4th with Fireworks?

    06/25/2020
    Patriotic Pork Menu banner with sparkler and American flag

    Grill Out July 4th: Patriotic Pork on Your Patio

    06/30/2020
    How to serve a perfectly grillled steak dinner

    Temperature Guide: How to Grill the Perfect Steak Dinner

    04/04/2023
  • easy recipe for chicken sliders ready to eat
    Food,  Recipes

    Easy Recipe for Chicken Sliders at your Next Cookout

    /2 Comments

    This easy recipe for BBQ chicken sliders is the perfect dish for your Labor Day cookout. They’re simple to make – using your slow cooker – and they taste great. Plus, they’re perfect for serving a large group. So, get ready to enjoy some delicious barbecue chicken sliders. Doesn’t sound like a cookout if you are using your slow cooker you say? Well, reduce your workload so you can enjoy your guests by using your slow cooker for the main. Everything else you can grill. Additionally, look to the “How to Make this Recipe” and find alternative ways to make these sliders using your grill as well. This is a…

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    RANI

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    Delicious Baked Egg Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Casserole

    How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Casserole Recipe: Southwest Style

    11/18/2022
    Steak and Lobster Wine Pairings

    Surf and Turf: The Best Steak and Lobster Wine Pairings

    01/12/2023
    Types of Sparkling Wine explored in glasses

    Types of Sparkling Wine: The Ultimate Celebration Libation Guide

    02/01/2023
  • Tangy Spinach Yogurt Dip for a delicious No-cook Appetizer
    Food,  Recipes

    No-Cook Appetizers Keep Heat Out of the Kitchen

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    These no-cook appetizers and recipes are sure to please the crowd at your next cookout! Ah, Labor Day! A holiday that should be celebrated with friends for many reasons. I’m sure you all know when Labor Day is, but do you really know what it’s all about? It’s a day to celebrate the hard work of American laborers, but it’s also a day to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Additionally, if you’d like a little more historical background on why we celebrate Labor Day then read the post called Grill Out for Labor Day. It also has an additional menu for a great meal from the grill. So, what…

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    RANI

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    Mediterranean Pasta Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, herbs and feta cheese

    An Easy Pasta Salad Recipe to Cool Down Your Next Cookout

    08/06/2022
    Prepared Dinner Party Questions Keep Conversation Lively

    The Best Dinner Party Questions for Fun Conversation Starters

    10/26/2023
    Beautiful loaves of bread baked without yeast

    How to bake bread without yeast!

    06/02/2020
  • Clean Burnt Pot looking like new
    Blog

    How Clean Can a Burnt Pot Be? Like New!

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    How clean a burnt pot can be using this trick! It’s like magic! Have you ever burnt a pot or pan on the stove? If so, then you know how frustrating it can be to try and clean it. The blackened food seems to stick to the pot no matter what you do, and it often leaves behind a charred mess of tiny bits. But don’t worry, we have a trick for you that will make this process much easier! Accidents and Burnt Pots Happen I was creating a concoction of water and sugar for my hummingbird feeder. It’s a simple combination of 1 part sugar to four parts water…

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    RANI

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    Sparkling Wines to Enjoy

    Tasting notes: Rosé Sekt, Schloss Biebrich, 2019

    07/15/2020
    Healthy Date Night Dinner Menu From the Grill - Toast Each Other

    Healthy Date Night HOT Off the Grill

    08/06/2020
    Hollandaise Sauce ingredients

    Best Ways How to Reheat Hollandaise Sauce

    08/23/2022
  • A Simple Mother's Day Brunch Menu
    Food,  MENUS,  Recipes

    Beautiful, yet Easy, Simple Mother’s Day Brunch Menu Idea

    /1 Comment

    A Simple Mother's Day Brunch menu with grocery list, step-by-step guide and recipes.

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    RANI

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    No-Bake Cheesecake tartlet with berries

    How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake with Berries: Cool Dessert

    08/10/2022
    St. Patrick's Day Food and Drink Celebration

    St. Patrick’s Day Party Foods and Drinks to Make you Dance Like a Happy Leprechaun

    02/28/2022
    Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew for St. Patrick's Day Buffet

    How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Recipe for Guinness Beef Stew | Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

    02/14/2022
  • Gold and jewel-toned eggs with moss Easter Bunny Tablescape
    MENUS,  Wine

    Easter Brunch Ideas | A Complete Menu with Wine Pairings for a Fabulous Spring Brunch Gathering

    /2 Comments

    These Easter Brunch ideas include a full menu of recipes and wine recommendations to give you everything you need to make a delicious and impressive Easter Brunch. I just love brunch! The idea that you can sleep in, enjoy a mid-day meal with breakfast-inspired foods, and still have the evening to relax just makes it a perfect meal to invite friends over to enjoy. I know restaurants are open and many people go out for brunch, but I don’t care for the noise and hurriedness of the waitstaff to get you to eat and move on. I like to enjoy brunch in a relaxed manner, have time to sip my…

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    RANI

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    Delicious Baked Egg Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Casserole

    How to Make Thanksgiving Leftover Breakfast Casserole Recipe: Southwest Style

    11/18/2022
    Sliced loaf of Traditional St. Patrick's Day food

    Bake this Irish Soda Bread Traditional Recipe for an Amazing St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

    02/24/2022
    New Year's Resolution A Cooking Challenge

    New Year’s Resolution: A Cooking Challenge

    01/14/2021
  • Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Red wine glaze on a glass cake stand
    Dessert,  Recipes

    How to Make a Striking Brunch Dessert | Recipe for Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Red Wine

    /No Comments

    This recipe for Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake with Red Wine makes a delicious and elegant dessert to serve at your next spring event.  It is sure to impress your guests with its rich flavor and beautiful color. Plus, it is easy to make and can be prepared in advance. So why not give it a try? Your taste buds will thank you! Not only is this recipe for chocolate bundt cake unbelievably delicious, but it is also a colorful addition to your table. The dark pink almost rose-colored icing is just gorgeous against the dark chocolate background of the cake. Of course, the color of the icing depends on the…

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    RANI

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    Sparkling Wine and Bourbon Cocktail

    Easy and Elegant Sparkling Wine and Bourbon Cocktail Recipe

    12/08/2021
    Turkey with dry brine ingredients

    Your Ultimate Guide to Dry Brine a Thanksgiving Turkey

    11/12/2021
    Christmas Prosecco Cocktails by the Christmas tree

    Make Christmas Prosecco Cocktails for a Dazzling Holiday Soiree

    12/08/2021
  • Vinaigrette dressing with a bowl of salad for a Mother's Day Brunch Idea
    Food,  Recipes

    Best Recipe for Salad Dressing on Greens Wows Spring Brunch

    /2 Comments

    This recipe for Salad Dressing Over Crisp Vegetables creates salad brunch perfection. If you are looking for a delicious and healthy salad to serve as part of your Easter or Mother’s Day brunch menu, look no further! The salad features a variety of brightly colored vegetables, including carrots, sweet red peppers, and grape tomatoes. The dressing is made with Dijon mustard, olive oil, and red wine vinegar for a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with a spring vegetable salad. Best Spring Salads are Homemade When the weather begins to turn and winter falls behind, I look to simple green salads to lighten up my meals. Did you know, salads are…

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    RANI

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    Best Grill Tools featured image with spatula and fork on grill grates

    The Best Grill Tools You Must-Have for Your Next BBQ

    07/06/2023
    You want this Dark Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe up close

    How To Make This Easy Homemade Chocolate Dipping Sauce Recipe

    01/19/2023
    Large zucchini at the farmers' market ready to grill

    Best Grilling Recipe for How to Cook Large Zucchini

    05/15/2023
  • Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Your Best Leprechaun Way
    MENUS,  Plan Your Gathering

    Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Your Best Leprechaun Style

    /2 Comments

    If you’re looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style, look no further! Here are some ideas to get your Irish on and have a party that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re planning a big bash or just a small gathering, we’ve got you covered. So put on your greenest clothes and let’s get started! Why is there a Celebration of St. Patrick’s Day? Wikipedia gives a good history.  They state Saint Patrick was a 5th-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. It is believed that he was born into a wealthy British family and his father and grandfather held prominent roles in the Christian church. Apparently, at the age…

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    RANI

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    Bottle of Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

    Tasting notes: Oyster Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, 2019

    05/06/2020
    Perfect Chocolate Soufflé from your Freezer

    Perfect Chocolate Soufflé from Your Freezer to the Oven

    01/25/2022
    Best Grill Tools featured image with spatula and fork on grill grates

    The Best Grill Tools You Must-Have for Your Next BBQ

    07/06/2023
  • St. Patrick's Day Food and Drink Celebration
    MENUS,  Recipes,  Wine

    St. Patrick’s Day Party Foods and Drinks to Make you Dance Like a Happy Leprechaun

    /2 Comments

    Make these St. Patrick’s Day Party foods! Add some green drink recipes and use the wine recommendations to create your own Leprechaun-worthy St. Patrick’s Day celebration! In America, we love to celebrate holidays. And what better way to do it than with food? This St. Patrick’s Day, get your Irish on and try out some of the best traditional dishes from the Emerald Isle. From hearty stews to flavorful desserts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! So, mix up your favorite green beverage and get cooking! Here is an entire menu of St. Patrick’s Day party foods and some great drink suggestions for your gathering on March 17. What are…

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    RANI

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    How to Cook Bell Peppers and Onions for Fajitas

    How to Cook Bell Peppers and Onions for Fajitas

    06/05/2023
    White Wine in Glasses

    Tasting notes: Conundrum, White, 2016

    04/08/2020
    Rose Wine in Glasses

    Come and Play! Vinho Verde Rosé, Casal Garcia

    08/26/2020
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The Hostess of Lone Star Gatherings

Howdy!  I’m your host, Rani.  As a WSET certified wine lover and cooking enthusiast, I love to entertain at home. With 25 years of experience cooking, entertaining, and pairing wine, let me guide you through stress-free gatherings with amazing food, wine, and cocktails! Grab a drink and join the party!

Contact

Have a question or suggestion?  I would enjoy hearing from you!

Send an email to [email protected]

 

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