One of my favorite things about being back in Florida is having full access to a real kitchen. Seriously, there’s only so much you can do when your kitchen is nothing more than a hallway.
Or… maybe I just need to actually bite the bullet and stock up on cooking supplies. But, I wonder, where would I have room for… I don’t know… a cutting board, or a pitcher, or a real mixer. Because my little cabinets are just not going to cut it. And I’d much rather have a dishwasher than another set of cabinets.
But I digress.
I went through my food board on Pinterest and was honestly a tiny bit overwhelmed by the volume of amazing recipes. (People who come up with these things, like Peanut Butter Smoothies, are my heroes.) I settled on making a classic Summer Sangria recipe from Martha Stewart. Mostly because I wanted to make something with a little kick and also because we were simply running out of time for dinner.
I like sangria, but it’s not my most favorite drink in the world. However, with our refrigerator completely stocked with fresh fruit, it seemed like a no brainer. Oh, and it was so wonderful.
(And easy to make!)
I used the fruit we already had: strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon.
Combine six cups of fresh fruit with a quarter cup of fresh ginger and one cup of fresh basil in a pitcher. Pour half of a cup of orange liquor into the pitcher and gently mash the fruits and basil while you stir. Pour one bottle of crisp white wine and three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and stir.
Place a few ice cubes in a mason jar, top with sangria, and serve.
It was really a sweet little drink!
For dinner, we had blackened fish (a family favorite), baked corn (I ate half of the dish before dinner even started), and pesto pasta (so refreshing!).
What did you eat and drink for the Fourth? Do you have a favorite summer drink recipe? Please share!
xoxo
PS This was perfect for the hot and humid day!
yum!! we had USA themed sangria too, but with red wine. your recipe looks delish!
Hello Miss Carly! First of all, I just want to tell you that I am just in love with your blog and I try to be a really big supporter of yours because you are a fellow INTJ! I actually just made a post on my own blog about the top 5 fashion bloggers I follow, and you are, of course, on the list. I really look up to you and it would truly mean the world to me if you could look at it when you maybe have a chance!
This is the blog post: http://ushiroda.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-top-5-fashion-bloggers.html
Mmm, that sounds really good. I will have to try that out sometime, Carly. I just had a traditional tuna sandwich. Always a classic! Happy fourth!
I usually agree with everything you write but I don't really get the rather-having-a-dishwasher-than-more-storage-space thing… If you had more function-specific items you would have less to wash up when you cook because you wouldn't be using several things to get one function, you'd just use your specific function-item. And for one young person who probably (sorry for assuming if this is wrong!) doesn't eat in every night and has simple breakfasts, I think washing by hand is totally doable. I think you should reconsider it!
Sorry about that, let me just tack on the disclaimer that this is just how I would approach the situation and I realise and respect hat you may well have completely different approaches and priorities which is totally cool.
All that aside, those sangrias look delish and I can't wait to try them out!
As for favourite drinks, I love simple green tea, left to cool over night, with ice and a slice of lemon.
it's kind of snobby to imply that small kitchens aren't real kitchens. the millions of other people who live in NYC manage to make food in those non 'real' kitchens all the time. sounds like you're the issue, not your kitchen.
Yum! Sounds like you had a delicious Fourth of July!
Xoxo,
Christine
That sounds delish. I was drinking woodchuck and wine…probably not a good combo now that i think of it lol
Xo
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CcCrystalChain
I will say, I wouldn't move into our house until my dad and husband installed a dishwasher. Doing dishes by hand = no bueno.
I love love love sangria. I make it with sweet red wine and fruit and club soda…although it becomes dangerous because you don't realize how much you've had til you, you know, try to stand up 😛
–Laura
I love this Sangria Post, and I get what your saying about the small kitchen problem. When I was younger we had a hallway kitchen and my dad kept his kitchen supplies like measuring cups, mixer and mixing bowls, and cutting board and a couple of his nicer pots on a bookcase. It was the perfect solution because it served as decor as well as functional since everything on it was really bright and colorful.
Mana
Fashion and Happy Things
love this! i like to just drink margaritas on holidays!
ps-check out my james jeans giveaway!
I made salsa, baked beans, and rice krispie treats for our 4th party. http://www.handmedownstyle.com/2013/07/independence-day-review.html
My favorite party drink is this special lemonade recipe: http://pinterest.com/pin/216946907022584094/
which is also delicious with Malibu added.
I LOVE sangria. Yours looks delish.