14 Host Gifts For Memorial Day & Beyond

The unofficial start of summer is Memorial Day. So let the outdoor entertaining begin. Those invitations have or will soon arrive. Don't get caught empty handed. This gift roundup will take you all thru the summer and its' long weekend stays at the Lake or The Hamptons, patio parties and backyard BBQS. Be the  best guest!

Flamingo Estates Roma Heirloom Tomato Candle

Nothing smells like summer more than Coppertone and a fresh off the vine tomato. This candle is realistically scented. Each candle is an aromatic experience. They have been hand poured in Los Angeles of pure plant based wax. All of the Garden Essential candles are great, but this is my favorite. $60

Bergdorf Goodman  (Free Ship) or Lulu & Georgia at 20% off

St. Tropez Beach Towels

If your hosts have a pool, a beach towel is always appreciated. These are tres chic and available in four colorways.  Now on sale $58.

Serena & Lily

Love & Victory Cocktail Picks

Invited for a day on the water? $32

West Elm

MoMa Colorplay Backgammon Game

Bright and colorful. It's a chic gift. $110

West Elm

Juliska Acrylic Serving Bowl
I want one! The perfect thing to serve almost anything in, especially salad. And if you are asked to bring a salad. Bring it in this, and leave it for your host. $52

Amazon or Bloomingdale's

Needlepoint Pillow

A nice gesture after a long weekend at their home. There are many pillows. Some are quite cheeky! $98

Furbish Studio

Ninja Swirl by Creami  Soft Serve and Ice Cream Maker

If you are a long weekend guest anytime this Summer, this is one great gift. I mean everyone screams for ice cream, right? $349

Crate & Barrel  and Amazon

Linen Embroidered Cocktail Napkin Set

These made me smile. And they will make your own guests or hosts smile, too. Designed by August Morgan and gift boxed. $48

Tuckernuck

Coconut Charcoal

Add a delicate zest to all your grilled food—while doing good for the environment. These briquets burn longer, stronger, and hotter, than traditional charcoal. It's something different any grill master will love to try. $20 ~ $24

Uncommon Goods    or   Amazon

Farberware Charcuterie Board With Lid

This set will elevate anyone's hosting game. And it is a dream for transporting with that lovely lid! $36

Wayfair  or   Amazon

Portable Bean Bag Toss

You can bring me this! Guests of all ages will just love playing this game. It folds up flat, and comes in several different colorways. On sale for $189. $15 for personalization. A weekend stay might warrant this great gift.

Mark & Graham

Sheila Bridges x Williams Sonoma Harlem Toile Cocktail Shaker
Guaranteed to create a chic cocktail. It's a toile de Jouy design that offers a big dose of urban cool. $70

Williams Sonoma

Truffle Mushroom Condiment Set

Perfect for the Gourmand.  I received a set for my birthday, { Thanks, Steve) and I love it all. $58

Shop Terrain

Grill Prep Trays

Exclusive to WS. It's for the entertainer and griller who still wants to keep it stylish. Other patterns available. $29.99 - $39.99

Williams Sonoma

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Serving Up Spring Style At Home

Stock Your Outdoor Kitchen

{ Via: Neiman Marcus }

 Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and grilling. Are you ready? It's time to prep for patio parties and alfresco afternoons. Here are a few "must have" tools  for entertaining this Summer. 

Tava Handwoven Serving Trays

Aren't these good looking? The trays have matching placemats for a well coordinated look.

Pottery Barn

Nonstick Mesh Grilling Bags Set

These are rather genius! They allow food to be grilled with a smoky flavor without falling through the grates. You get three bags in three sizes.

Sur La Table

Cuisinart 13-Piece Grill Tool Set 

Here's everything you need to be a grill master. It's well priced and presented for gifting.

West Elm

Le Cadeaux Outdoor Dinnerware

Why shouldn't your outdoor dishes look good, too?  These offer a shatterproof French flair to eery outdoor affair. It's all 25% off at 

Horchow

Sauce Dispensing Basting Brush

I can just see my Dad with his open pan of BBQ sauce and what he called his "mop." This will be way less messy.

Williams Sonoma

Fluted Acrylic Pitcher

I own these glasses. They are good looking and lightweight. This pitcher is on sale for only $10! Ships for free, too.

West Elm

BBQ Shells, Set Of 6

Serve up a proper appetizer on these stylish shells. Just perfect for grilled scallops, shrimp, or even cerviche.

Sur La Table

Grill Prep Trays

Safety first! These lightweight melamine trays help prevent the cross contamination of uncooked and cooked meat while you’re grilling. I need them.

Williams Sonoma

Infinity Kamado Grill

I found this grill to be mesmerizing to the eye. This one in Bedford Grey was made just for Martha Stewart. If interested, click on over to her website to hear her praise all of the innovative details.

Martha.com

Cuisinart Grill Top Pizza Oven Kit

I will take pizza any way I can get it,  but a grilled pizza is something special. I found the best price at

Home Depot

Hammered Metal 5 Wick Citronella Candle

Keep bugs at bay with glam style in gold or copper.

World Market

Char Broil 3 Piece Grill Set

Now you can close down the indoor kitchen and cook everything at the same time. Perfect for veggies, seafood and more. The set is on sale and less than $14!

Target

Weber Grill Cedar Planks

If you haven't tried these, you should. They infuse whatever you cook on them, with the sweet and smoky scent and flavor of cedar. My tip: Give your meat or salmon a quick hot sear, before you use the plank. These are great!

Home Depot

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Cheers To Outdoor Cocktails

Foodie Friday: Best In Burgers!

 

This roundup of 12 incredible recipes give the basic burger a fresh new twist. Life is simply two short to throw a store bought frozen patty on the grill. This Memorial Day and beyond, try thinking outside of the bun. Just imagine what blueberry BBQ sauce, smoked mac and cheese, or artichoke pesto could do for your burger. The possibilities 

are endless. 

Bruschetta Burgers

These tasty burgers get their name from a bruschetta mixture of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and fresh basil. Then it is all topped off with a balsamic glaze! If you love tomatoes, you need to click the link and look at the rest of the pictures. You'll be running to the kitchen.

I promise.

How Sweet Eats

Blueberry BBQ Brie Burger

Don't blanch at the idea of blueberries on a burger. I just made turkey breast burgers this evening with blueberries "in" the burger. And the sweet with the tangy sauce makes for a very balanced flavor profile.

Running To The Kitchen

Blue Cheese Stuffed Portobello Burgers

This is my kind of burger....no meat.  It's all topped off with grilled corn and crispy shallots.

How Sweet Eats

Caprese Burger with Artichoke Pesto Sauce

This meal on a bun is packed with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato. Then it is topped off with a balsamic glaze and a pesto mayo sauce. YUM!

The Food Charlatan

Lobster Burgers w/Browned Butter Lemon Aioli + Basil Corn Salsa, Bacon ‘n’ Avocado

That title is a mouthful! And I can't wait to get this recipe in my mouth. The lobster demands a good bun, too, like brioche or pretzel bread. 

Half Baked Harvest

Quesadilla Burger

Now this is interesting! This no bread eating girl just might cave in for these crispy tortillas. I will take one with everything on it. Extra sauce please!

Will Cook For Smiles

Mediterranean Turkey Burger

Oh my goodness! This burger is packed with flavorful elements like fresh parsley, feta cheese, and a creamy tzatziki sauce. Make it healthy by using ground turkey breast. On my list!

The Modern Proper

Mexican Green Chili Veggie Burgers
This burger is bursting with flavors and zero meat. It is kept together with a small amount of tortilla chips. How interesting.

Minimalist Baker

Pastrami, Smoked Mac and Cheese Burger

Talk about a burger with everything on it! This one is loaded. Make this up for a hungry crowd.

Bakers Royale

Parm Style Chicken Burgers

When you are in the mood for Italian. Grated onion adds the moisture. I might add that I caramelize my onions and then mix them into the chicken mixture. Looks yummy, right?

Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Grilled Burgers with Meyer Lemon Butter

This recipe is thrown into the mix for the unusual addition of lemon butter. Look out Culver's, there's a real butter burger in town. Adding a pat of lemon butter in the center of the burger is said to make it extra tender with a touch of citrus flavor. Sounds good!

Epicurious

Greek Roasted Cauliflower Burgers with Pan Fried Feta and Tomato Olive Salsa 

These burgers are meatless and actually healthy if you take away that yummy pan fried feta. But who wants to do that? I think this is the most interesting of the recipes featured.

Half Baked Harvest

Happiness On A Bun: 12 Bold & Beautiful Burger Recipes

Stock Your Outdoor Kitchen & Grill Like A Master

                                   

This is the first weekend that may be warm enough for us, in Chicago, to cook out. It's very exciting! Today we are talking tools and recipes that will have you grilling like a master all season long. 

Peach Julep

The classic cocktail gets a new twist with the addition of juicy peaches. It's already pretty. Add mint and edible flowers to the ice cubes, and it becomes really gorgeous.

Broma Bakery

Perfect Cube Tray

Automatic Ice makers are nice, but they can't make cubes as cute as these. This set of two is also practical. Fill the cubes with fruit or fruit juice, and you have instant flavor and garnish for your Summer drinks.

Williams Sonoma

Grilled Scallops

These scallops call for a quick marinade that sounds delish. Cooking time is only 6 minutes. I always do mine in a grill pan, but not outside.  This recipe will be enjoyed soon!

The Modern Proper

Scallop Grilling Shell Set

These are great for cooking or serving. What a fun way to serve a sophisticated appetizer outdoors.

Sur La Table

Huli Huli Ribs

Don't you just love the cute title of this recipe? These ribs have been marinated overnight in pineapple juice, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and more. They then are smoked over mesquite.

How fabulous!

Kevin Is Cooking

Cuisinart Electric Smoker

I love good barbecue. The best of it has a smoky flavor that is a treat for the senses. Dad just might love one of these for Father's Day! 

Ships for free from...

Home Depot

Flex Grill Basket With Rosewood Handle

A good looking tool that works as well as it looks. It features an unique spring system that holds the individual foods

 in place .

Sur La Table

Grand Grill Daddy Grill Cleaning Brush

This is genius for getting your grill really clean. This innovative tool harnesses the power of steam to sterilize as it cleans.

Williams Sonoma

Korean Grilled Steak with Toasted Sesame Chimichurri

Doesn't chimichurri just elevate anything? This recipe just screams summer grilling. It begins with Skirt or Flank Steak.

Half Baked Harvest

Grill Prep Trays

I need these. This set of two lightweight melamine trays will help prevent cross contamination of raw and cooked meats. Head to the grill with the food on the red tray, and when the food is cooked, place it on the black tray. Smart!

Williams Sonoma

Chicken Ricotta Burgers

Oh my! This is summer on a bun. Lemon, Sriracha, tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, parm, garlic, ricotta and so much more. Yum!

A Spicy Perspective

Cuisinart Petite Gas Grill

Petite but powerful. The little guy is perfect for small spaces like balconies. No building will allow charcoal cooking, but gas may be appropriate. It is portable, colorful, and can accommodate 6-10 chicken breasts, eight steaks or burgers and more.

Crate and Barrel

Grilled Pizza Margherita

"Crisp crust, melty cheese and all the basil." What more could a pizza be? 

Simply Delicious Food

Kettle Pizza Outdoor Pizza Oven

So you can actually grill a pizza directly on a grill, but this set up looks very professional. We have the indoor variety, and it works quite well.

Crate and Barrel

Outdoor Chicken Roasting Pan

This is one handy and helpful grill tool.The chicken is perched on top of a cone that can be filled with flavored liquids that will infuse the bird. The pan is convenient for catching liquids, and grilling veggies. This recipe for whole grilled chicken sounds good.

Williams Sonoma

Honey Ginger Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

This looks like heaven to me. Right up my alley with the avocado, too. It's said to be sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. Perfect!

Half Baked Harvest

Williams Sonoma Grilling Planks

Infuse your grilled fish and meats with the smoky flavors of maple, cedar, or hickory. We love using ours, and you can get multiple uses out of each plank. A tip: if you enjoy grill marks, give your food a quick hard sear before placing it on

 the planks.

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Foodie Friday: Going For The Green - Salad