International Beer Day: Tastes and Traditions

Celebrating Beer Traditions Around the World

Get your international beer passport ready, y’all! It’s International Beer Day! Here are some traditions from around the world— from beers to taste to toasting etiquette. For an entire resource of all things beer, check out the Let’s Grab a Beer campaign.

Belgium

Try….

Stella Artois: classic Belgian lager, golden in color with exceptional clarity and a spicy hop character. In Belgium, every beer has its own unique glass designed to highlight the brand’s special flavor, and Stella Artois is no exception. A chalice is designed to ensure that the head foams perfectly and the aroma is preserved.
Customs: Wait to see if your host offers a toast before sipping your drink. The guest of honor may also give a toast. It is polite to stand for a toast. The Flemish raise their glasses twice during a toast. ‘Op uw gezondheid’ is fine for the Flemish (Dutch speaking) part of the country but for the other half, the French speaking people, it’s the same as for France ‘SANTE’, although there are of course many other expressions.

Germany

Try….

Beck’s: Golden in color, Beck’s is a classic German-style pilsner with a robust, distinctive full-bodied taste, a fresh “hoppy” bouquet, distinct bitterness and a rich, full head.
- Glassware: Pilsner glass; the slender glass will reveal the color, and carbonation of the beer and the broad top will help maintain a beer head.
Customs: In Bavaria for Oktoberfest? If a toast is called, raise that mug, clink glasses with every person around you and stare each of them straight in the eyes out of respect.

Ireland

Try…

Guinness: an Irish dry stout with a burnt flavor derived from roasted unmalted barley.

Customs: Exploring the Emerald Isle? The Irish are big fans of the round system, so don’t forget to “get a round in” and purchase a round of beers for your new friends. The favor is sure to be returned. The Irish say, “Sláinte” which is pronounced Slawn-cha.

America

Try…

Budweiser: American Lagers are all about refreshment and quenching your thirst. Fresh and subtle fruit notes, a delicate malt sweetness and balanced bitterness for a clean, snappy finish. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas.
Customs: When invited to a party, BBQ or just when visiting friends it is customary to bring a six pack or more of American Lagers with you, even if you will be served beer by your host. Americans rarely will finish their beer in one go and pause after a few sips to contemplate all that’s good about life and enjoyment. American gatherings are all about the guest of honor. Make a toast to them and then cheers everyone! Say “Cheers!”

Japan

Try…

Sapporo or Kirin Ichiban; Japanese-style pilsners with a smooth, full-bodied and refreshing taste. Kirin refers to a mythic beast, half dragon and half deer, from ancient Chinese mythology as a symbol of well-being and good fortune.

Customs: Sitting down to a banquet in Japan? Only pour beer for those sitting next to you and don’t even think about pouring your own. After all, that’s what friends are for. When you toast, say, “Kanpai” pronounced Kan-pie.

Spain

Try…

Estrella Damm Lager; Mediterranean Pale Lager by Damm, a brewery in Barcelona (sold at Whole Foods) and brewed with 100% natural ingredients
Customs: Looking to impress your Spanish friends? The learning of the following toast is a rite of passage for Spaniards: “ARRIBA, ABAJO, AL CENTRO, PA’ DENTRO!” That means, “Above, Below, To the Center, Inside!”
As is customary to learn the local limericks and sayings, one must also respect the non-verbal rituals when out drinking in Spain. Rubbing the bottom of your glass in a circular motion on the bar or table and then banging it back down is one such example. It takes place in between saying ‘Salud!’ and taking that first swig, which is where the next practice comes in: eye contact.

Here are some other international traditions…

Hungary: Sightseeing in Hungary? Think twice before clinking someone’s glass — it’s considered offensive and relates to The Thirteen Martyrs of Arad, and ever since Hungarians vowed never to clink glasses while drinking beer.
Korea: Taking a business trip to South Korea? Make sure your hands are free. It’s traditional to accept and pour beer with both hands.

China: Toasting, usually with beer, wine or Chinese white liquors, is an important part of Chinese business etiquette. The host will make the first toast. If it is to you, then you should respond with a toast to your host. Toasting will continue throughout the meal.

Armenia: Visiting family or friends in Armenia? If you’re sharing a beer bottle with the table, be considerate and pour the last drops into your own glass. Though it may seem selfish, Armenian custom dictates otherwise: whoever receives the final pour must purchase the next bottle.

England: If you are seated at a table, it is customary for one or two persons to make the trip to the bar on behalf of the entire table. A request for ale or lager or bitter or stout will get you a full pint unless you specifically ask for a half pint. (In Ireland, a request for a glass of beer will get you a half pint.)

Czech: The most common toasts are naz drovie (Czech) and naz drovia (Slovak) – both mean “to your health.” Never break eye contact while making a toast, from the moment the glass leaves the table until you place it back down. There can be many toasts throughout a meal; you will be expected to make one in a small group at some point, especially if you have been toasted personally or are the guest of honor.

Brazil: Looking to buy a round? Order one large bottle and pour into small glasses. Beer stays colder and sharing is fun!

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

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Balsamic Cherries with Whipped Goat Cheese on Crostinis

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Tangy and sweet balsamic cherries on crostinis slathered with goat cheese, sprinkled with almonds

I love cherries in the summer— and as I learned from my research on “foods that cool”– not only are cherries water dense, they are very anti-inflammatory, so they decrease the bloat! This recipe has just a few simple ingredients, and if you don’t have goat cheese, you can substitute cream cheese instead. I just love the tangy, sweet flavor of the balsamic vinegar/brown sugar combination and the goat cheese gives the bite a luscious earthiness. Sprinkling the almonds on top adds some texture– I used a package of honey glazed almond slivers that are usually sold by the salad fixins at the grocery store. You can make your own crostinis simply by slicing french bread, melting salted butter on the stove top, and to make it easy, I pour it all into a big bowl and stir until the bread is soaked with butter. Then, just spread the pieces out on a baking sheet with a sprinkle of garlic powder (not garlic salt since the butter is salted already) and baking at 375 for about 30 minutes until crisp. I usually flip them over after 15 minutes to make sure they get browned evenly.

These were a hit on my AMHQ segment!

My Balsamic cherry appetizer featured on The Weather Channel

The great thing about this recipe is that you can make the cherries, the crostinis and the whipped goat cheese ahead, then put together and serve before your guests come over!

Balsamic Cherries with Whipped Goat Cheese and Almonds on Crostinis

2015-08-02 18:34:58

An easy summer appetizer that you can prep ahead and wow your guests with!

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For the balsamic cherries

3 cups pitted cherries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Drizzle of olive oil
1 Tb brown sugar
pinch of kosher salt
honey almond slivers for topping

For the whipped goat cheese

6 oz of goat cheese
1/4 cup creme fraiche (or sour cream)
1/2 tsp honey
For the crostinis
1 loaf sliced french bread
1 stick salted butter
garlic powder

For the cherries

Preheat oven to 400
Roughly chop the cherries (don't make the pieces too small)
Mix cherries with vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar and salt in a bowl.
Spread mixture on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 30 minutes-- move cherries around on the pan about half way through to ensure even cooking.

For the whipped goat cheese

Put goat cheese, creme fraiche and honey into food processor or mixer and whip together until smooth.

For the crostinis

Preheat oven to 375.
Put french bread slices into a bowl and pour butter on top, making sure all pieces are buttered.
Spread out on a baking sheet and sprinkle with garlic powder.
Bake for 30 minutes, flipping crostinis after about 15 minutes.
Top crispy crostinis with whipped goat cheese, balsamic cherries and sprinkle almonds on top.

Notes

You can substitute cream cheese for goat cheese and sour cream for the creme fraiche.

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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Thai Beef Tenderloin Cucumber Cups

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These yummy bites have 3 cooling ingredients: mint, cucumber and chili pepper

I love a food challenge, so when my producer from The Weather Channel called and said, “Can you put together a segment on foods that cool?” I said, “COOL! Yes, I can!”

One of the most interesting things I found in my research is that surprisingly, hot chili peppers are a cooling food….they make you hot initially, but sweating detoxifies and ultimately cools you down. Cucumber is the most water dense solid food— a whopping 96% water! And mint is soothing and cooling as well. What do you get when you combine all three with some high quality beef? Thai Beef Tenderloin Cucumber Cups. Plus, they’re low carb– no wontons in this recipe! The presentation is gorgeous and the bites are so yummy!

AIR HD 2015-07-31 09 55 41 (5) from Parker Wallace on Vimeo.

Thai Beef Tenderloin Cucumber Cups

2015-07-31 17:58:03

Low carb cucumber cups stuffed with marinated beef tenderloin, mint and Thai Basil.

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For the marinade

1 tsp fish sauce
juice from 1/2 lime
1 Tb brown sugar
1 tsp chili paste (I use Sambal Oelek)
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 Thai Chili chopped
1 shallot sliced into thin rings
handful of Thai Basil and fresh mint chopped up
1 piece beef tenderloin
red bell pepper strips and sesame seeds (for garnish)

For the cups

1 English cucumber sliced 1 inch thick, the insides scooped out for a cup.
Cucumber

Instructions

Combine marinade ingredients.
Slice and scoop out cucumber.
Cook tenderloin to medium rare and slice thinly.
Combine meat with marinade. Chill for 2 hours.
Stuff marinated meat into cucumber cups.
Top with sesame seeds and a single strip of red bell pepper.

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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The 3 Best Hot Dogs of the Summer

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The Nacho Mama’s Dog, The Hotlanta Dog and The Charm City Dog

I had the pleasure of coming up with 3 scrumptious hot dog recipes for National Hot Dog Day and wanted to share the delish! These are totally IMHO the 3 BEST hot dogs of the summer. So let’s start with a hot dog near and dear to my heart….

The HOTLANTA Dog: Hot Dog in a Garlic Bun with Fried Okra and Pimento Cheese drizzled with a Sweet Tea Sauce

The Hotlanta Dog is layered with Pimento cheese, fried okra and a sweet tea drizzle, y’all!

There were 3 things I’d never tried before moving to Atlanta:

Fried Okra
Pimento Cheese
Sweet Tea

Now, after nearly 10 years living in the Capital of the South, I’ve not only earned the right to slip y’all into conversation, I’ve tried and fallen in love with all three. Putting them together onto a hot dog? It’s perfect. It’s what they call “Slap Yo Momma” good down here!

I’m a huge fan of texture and a combination of salty and sweet. The crispiness of the okra, the creamy and salty mouth feel of the pimento (it’s pronounced puh-mennah by the way) cheese and the sweet of the tea sauce…. It’s a hot, sweet diggity dog!

To get some garlic flavor on the bun, (because who doesn’t love garlic bread??) brush some butter on the outside of the bun and sprinkle a little garlic salt on, then bake the bun in the oven at 350 for a few minutes to crisp up the outside.

Layer that bad boy with the fried okra, pimento cheese and a little drizzle of sweet tea heaven. For the sauce, take a couple cups of sweet tea, add 1/4 cup sugar, squeeze of lemon, pinch of salt and a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Simmer and reduce until thickened to a syrupy consistency. Drizzle on top and get busy eatin’ y’all!

Pair the Hotlanta dog with Leffe Brun, which is a brown ale. It’s going to mellow the kick of the pimento cheese and the intensity of the okra.

Another city that has a special place in my heart is Baltimore, or as they say in Charm City, ‘Bawlmor, Hon!” Crab is a Maryland delicacy, so I came up with winner recipe:

The Charm City Dog: Hot Crab Dip, Old Bay candied bacon and topped it off with some crushed Old Bay potato chips on top for a little crunch. OMG.

Pair this dog with a Baltimore favorite, like a Golden Ale by Heavy Seas Beer. The lively hops will bring out the creamy, lusciousness of the crab dip and compliment the Old Bay flavor.

The Charm City Dog is loaded with hot crab dip, Old Bay candied bacon and crushed Old Bay chips on top!

The Charm City Hot Dog

2015-07-29 17:26:24

A Baltimore favorite! This hot dog is layered with hot crab dip, Old Bay candied bacon and crushed Old Bay potato chips on top

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For the Hot Crab Dip

16oz lump crab, shells removed (or sub 2 cans canned crab)
1/4 sweet onion grated or finely diced
3 cloves garlic chopped
2 Tb worcestershire
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
8oz full fat cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 lemon squeezed
dash of cayenne
1 tsp hot sauce
sea salt to taste
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Hot Dogs
Buns
Crushed up Old Bay potato chips

For the Old Bay Candied Bacon

1 package of center cut bacon
brown sugar
Old Bay

For the Hot Crab Dip

Combine all ingredients and spread into a casserole dish.
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

For the Old Bay Candied Bacon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Spread bacon out on a rimmed baking sheet.
Sprinkle brown sugar all over bacon strips, pressing sugar into the bacon.
Sprinkle Old Bay over the brown sugar.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Let cool and crumble onto hot dog.
Layer how you like it-- I put the candied bacon inside the bun, then topped with the hot dog, crab dip and Old Bay chips crushed up.

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

Next up, the hot dog I nicknamed, “Nacho Mama’s Dog!”

Nacho Mama’s Dog is layered with a combination of my favorite canned food: Black beans, corn, jalapenos and topped off with cheese

The Nacho Mama’s Dog: This bad boy is layered with all of my favorite Nacho toppings— all of which can come right from your pantry! Black beans, Diced tomatoes, Chipotle peppers, Roasted or Fiesta style Corn, Pickled Jalapenos and some Nacho Cheese.

Stock your pantry with your favorite canned goods to make food prep super easy!

I drained the beans and added a couple Tablespoons of the adobo sauce from the can of chipotle peppers, a bit of chopped garlic, onion, chopped cilantro and a dash of chili powder and salt. Mix up the rest of the ingredients with some Nacho Cheese (shredded or queso dip) and slather the dog with spicy, creamy deliciousness! I always keep my pantry stocked with essential cans like this, so it’s convenient and makes prepping super easy. Plus, lots of people don’t know this, but any fruits and veggies that are canned are actually picked and canned at the peak of ripeness, sealing in flavor and nutrients. You can find out more info and dive into recipes on the Cans Get You Cooking site.

Pair the Nacho Mama’s Hot Dog with an American Lager like Rolling Rock. Lagers are the most versatile of all beers– the sweet, crisp flavor will go with practically anything! The Let’s Grab a Beer campaign has so many great details about beer pairings, entertaining and beer facts.

Check out the video here:

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

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Hebrew National 4th of July Rocket Dogs

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Hebrew National 100% Kosher Beef Hot Dogs turned “Rocket Dogs”

How super cute are these “Rocket Dogs,” y’all?! I had a chance to do a 4th of July entertaining segment on WPIX in New York yesterday and showcased some delicious ideas on set! I also kept my theme of pairing various grill items with specific beers to bring out the flavor of your party spread. When you’re serving Rocket Dogs, try pairing with an Amber lager which is going to have a malty backbone and a slightly soft bitterness which will really bring out the beef flavor. On set, I used Toasted Lager, from New York’s Blue Point Brewing Company.

When entertaining for Fourth of July weekend, it is important to start with a premium quality base like Hebrew National 100% kosher beef franks. Their hot dogs are made of only premium cuts of beef and contain no artificial colors, fillers, flavors or by-products.

And they have variety for every hot dog lover— including their regular, quarter pound dinner frank, bun-length, 97% fat free, reduced fat, franks in a blanket and bagel dogs. For the health conscious grillers out there, Hebrew National offers a 97% Fat Free Frank that tastes great and is 45 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per serving. Yes, hot dogs can be delicious and guilt-free!

The first thing you need to do is get some wooden skewers (I found them at the grocery store) and soak them in some water for about 5 minutes. This is going to prevent them from burning when you bake them. Skewer through the entire Hebrew National hot dog and wrap with crescent roll dough to create a spiral effect. Then, just bake for 10 minutes at 350. Cut a triangle of cheddar (or your favorite cheese) and pop it on top of the dog. Such a fun recipe to make with the kids! (And even easier to get picky eaters to enjoy them!)

And congrats to the lucky WPIX viewer who won this amazing grill from Kenmore– It’s pretty sweet! The Kenmore Elite 5 Burner Dual Fuel Stainless Steel Grill has everything you need for grilling success! You can slow cook sauces and sides while you’re grilling your main dishes. There’s an infrared rotisserie, and 2 halogen lights so you can keep rocking the grill long after the sun goes down! A huge thank you to Kenmore for providing such a phenomenal product for the show!

Kenmore Elite 700 Series 5 Burner Dual Fuel Stainless Steel Gas Grill

Here it is on set before the Give Away!

On set with the Kenmore Grill before the Give Away

Get your grill on and enjoy your 4th of July!

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Rocket Dogs with Hebrew National Hot Dogs

2015-07-03 13:31:05

A fun and creative way to turn hot dogs into 4th of July Rocket Dogs

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Ingredients

one pack of Hebrew National Beef Franks
wooden skewers
Cheese cut into triangles
Pillsbury crescent rolls

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350
Soak skewers in water for 5 minutes to prevent them burning in the oven.
Skewer through hot dogs, leaving about 2 inches at the top of the hot dog.
Lay out crescent rolls-- each one will be in the shape of a long triangle. Using a knife, cut off the ends of the triangle so the dough is one long rectangle. (This makes them easier to wrap around the hot dog evenly.)
Skewer the end of the dough to secure it to the rocket dog and wrap around the hot dog in a spiral pattern.
Repeat with the rest of the dough and hot dogs.
Lay down on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake for 10 minutes until dough is golden.
Let cool and skewer triangles of cheese on top.
Serve and enjoy!

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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Pebbles No Bake Cheesecake and Marshmallow Stars

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Ice Cream Pebbles No Bake Cheesecake and Marshmallow Stars

I love to entertain with desserts that are low maintenance and don’t require an oven! This is a spin on my original No Bake Cheesecake that is always a hit. Post Cereals just launched Ice Cream Pebbles, and this is the kind of ice cream that doesn’t melt— it’s yummy, crunchy bits of Pebbles in Rainbow Sherbet flavor. I incorporated these into both the crust and the cheesecake! You can use Oreo cookie crumbs or Graham Cracker crumbs for the crust— I tried both and liked the Oreo version the best. To make it even easier, though, buy the premade crumb crusts– in regular size or even mini for little versions of the cheesecake. Super easy, super cute, super delish!

You can also use Ice Cream Pebbles to make adorable Marshmallow stars which I put on Lollypop sticks. Another really imaginative and fun thing you can do Ice Cream Pebbles that is a great activity for the kids and a great way to celebrate the 4th of July in rainbow Star Spangled fashion!

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Pebbles No Bake Cheesecake and Marshmallow Stars

2015-07-03 14:14:48

Turn No Bake Cheesecake into a Rainbow Sherbet with the addition of Ice Cream Pebbles and Star Spangled Marshmallow Stars

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For the cheesecake

1 block full fat cream cheese
1 regular sized tub of whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup Ice Cream Pebbles (plus more to sprinkle on top of cheescake)

For the crust

2 cups of Oreo crumbs or Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 stick butter
1 cup Ice Cream Pebbles (turn into crumbs by smashing them up a bit)

For the Marshmallow Stars

3 Tb butter
1 (10oz) package of Marshmallows
4 cups Ice Cream Pebbles
Star shaped cookie cutter
Lollipop sticks

For the No Bake Cheesecake

Combine room temperature cream cheese, whipped topping, vanilla and sugar in a standing mixer. Add Ice Cream Pebbles.

For the Crust

Melt 1 stick of butter in a large sauce pan. Add in Oreo or Graham Cracker Crumbs and Ice Cream Pebbles. Stir to combine.
Press into the bottom of a springform pan.
Pour in No Bake Cheesecake batter over crust.
Sprinkle with more Ice Cream Pebbles on top.
Cover with tin foil and freeze.
Take out of freezer 30 minutes before serving.

For the Marshmallow Stars

Melt butter in a large sauce pan.
Add marshmallows and let them melt on low/medium heat.
Add Ice Cream Pebbles and stir to combine.
Press into a 9 x 11 cake pan and let cool.
Using a star cookie cutter, cut out stars from the cake pan.
Skewer bottom of each star with a lollipop stick.

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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4th of July Entertaining

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Beer, Food, Fashion. Repeat.

The 4th of July is right around the corner and it’s the #1 Beer Drinking Holiday of the year, y’all!

And that’s great news because it’s one of sumer’s most versatile beverages. When it comes to summer entertaining, beer pairings are really hot right now— it’s a great way to not only taste new beers but learn more about how certain beers can really bring out the flavor of your grilled foods.

Gotta have your flame broiled burger, right? Pair grilled burgers with an American Lager like a classic Bud Light – lagers offer crisp and well balanced flavors with malty sweetness which accentuate the rich, juicy flavors of a burger, even served with spicy chili sauce or cheese. And serve a Lager in a Tumbler or Pint glass.

Nothing says summer liked BBQ chicken seasoned with your favorite spice rub, marinades and BBQ sauce— Pair it with an IPA. An India Pale Ale has floral notes and a distinct bold hoppy character, which accentuates the spices and creates a really dimensionalized flavor combination. If you’re local to Altanta, check out Hopsecutioner IPA from local Atlanta Terrapin Beer Company here today. Serve IPA’s in a Snifter glass.

One of my favorites from the grill, Spicy Pork Sausage: Pair with an Amber Lager like Michelob AmberBock that has a malty backbone, with a soft bitterness from the hops that goes great with meat like spicy pork sausage that has a kick to it. Pour that baby into a Tulip Glass and have a toasty cheers! You can find more info if you click on Lets Grab a Beer.

And, of course, what goes better with beer than Pizza?! Domino’s has an entire spread for your 4th of July Party if you don’t feel like cooking and you want to concentrate on the party! Domino’s has a two-fer. Choose two of the following for $5.99 each: 2 Topping Medium Pizza, Crispy Bacon and Tomato Specialty Chicken, Pasta Primavera, Chicken Habanero Sandwich and Parmesan Bread Bites.

Domino’s Carryout special just got a day better. Now Monday thru Thursday you can carryout large three-topping pizzas for just $7.99 each. Remember, you must ask for this offer. Availability and charges may vary.

Conveniently order Domino’s from anywhere on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Build your pizza just the way you like it or choose one of their specialty pizzas. And with the Domino’s Tracker ® you can follow your order from the moment you place it until it’s out for delivery or ready for pickup!

My Go-To Party Snack? Wonderful Pistachios. This is a super healthy way to satisfy those salty snack cravings. This is a flavor fiesta, for reals. Sweet Chili and Salt & Pepper are so delicious and even better— Crack open 30 pistachios for about 100 calories! Pistachios are one of the lowest calorie, lowest fat nuts and offer more nuts per serving compared to any other snack nut.

A Harvard University study even suggests a daily handful of nuts, such as pistachios may have a role in health and longevity. And last time I checked, they were pretty smart at Harvard, so Get Crackin’!

Now, let’s talk Star Spangled Style…

My new favorite Atlanta boutique, The Bilt-House (and my new favorite OWNER of my favorite Atlanta Boutique, Shannon Kotze) talked 4th of July fashion and I am obsessed with her finds. Not only did I buy my SECOND pair of UPP Pants (they’re a Canadian brand and I swear make you look a size smaller) but I was gifted this gorgeous necklace by Theia Jewelry. Gorg. Just GORG!

White UPP Pants paired with an Aum Couture silk top and Theia necklace from The Bilt-House

Johnny Was Clothing Tunic, Henry and Belle Dress

And, for all of you Atlanta & Company fans, hhgregg has a very special offer for viewers! This Thursday is the Great Grill Giveaway! Tune in to the show on Thursday at 11am to find out how you can win this Monarch Broil King Gas Grill to bring home for your 4th of July party!

Monarch Broil King Gas Brill

Check out the segment below!

*This was sponsored content, but all opinions are my own.

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hhgregg Grill Giveaway and Summer Entertaining Musts

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Monarch Broil King Gas Grill

Well, if you’re like me and you dropped the ball on buying Dad the perfect gift—- it’s not too late! hhgregg is my one-stop-shop for Father’s Day and all my summer entertaining needs. Click on the video to see their MACDADDY Grill: The Monarch Broil King Gas Grill. It has a dual-tube burner system which gives you a consistent flame from front to back– which means your food will cook more evenly and it’s less likely to burn. The cast iron grids are reversible so one side gives you the perfect grill marks and the other side catches the juices to help you baste your meat. And, instead of trying to get charcoal lit and ready, this grill starts with the push of a button.

The Monarch Broil King Gas Grill retails at about $350, but hhgregg has a wide range of grills to fit any price point. And, the BEST PART?? Partnered with NBC’s Atlanta & Company, this grill could be yours if you win “The Great Grill Giveaway” on July 2nd! Just tune in at 11am to Atlanta & Company for details!

Give Dad (and your party guests) the gift of a beer flight with your favorite brews!

Beer is the official drink of summer! And the big trend right now is mixing up your favorite brews with a beer flight. This is a great way to sample different kinds beers. When you set up your flight, just go down the line and try each one– then you can share notes on the appearance, aroma, taste and mouthfeel. You just might find a new favorite!

Not only is this a cool gift for Dad, but it’s a great way to get your guests to interact at your party. Plan to pick up some tasty summer favorites –I loved trying out these 4 signature beers:

First up– a classic Lager like Budweiser.

Second taste — Hoegaarden, which is light and refreshing, with a hint of cloves– this is a legendary WITBIER.

Third sip– Belgian White Ale– this Shock Top Lemon Shandy has a delicious lemon twist.

And finally, a local Atlanta pick like Sweet Water Blue which has a hint of blueberries.

You can go to http://www.letsgraba.beer/ for great information on beer pairings, entertaining tips and new beer trends!

Combining Grape Nuts with yogurt, almond milk, sliced apples and almonds makes a delish Apple Pie Pudding

Looking for a healthy, yummy breakfast the kids can make the night before? Grape Nuts is a childhood favorite of mine— my Dad used to pour me a bowl in the mornings before school with milk and sugar— and then let it sit for 10 minutes to let the crunchy Grape Nuts soften just a bit. I can still taste it! This is a twist on my favorite breakfast, combining some healthy ingredients like Greek Yogurt, apples and chia seeds to make a homemade Apple Pie Pudding. I like to chop up my apples and coat with cinnamon and sugar, but you can season it just the way you like it! It makes for such a cute presentation when you put it in mason jars. Just mix with ingredients, put the lid on and chill overnight in the fridge. I halved the recipe for each mini mason jar– kid sized!

Grape Nuts Apple Pie Pudding

2015-06-22 22:03:53

A healthy breakfast you can prep overnight with Grape Nuts Cereal, Greek Yogurt, apples, almonds and chia seeds.

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Ingredients

1 Container (6 Oz) Plain or Vanilla Greek Yogurt
⅓ cup Grape Nuts Cereal
¼ cup Peeled, Diced Green Apple
½ cup Vanilla Almond Milk
2 Tbsp Slivered Almonds
2 tsp Chia Seeds
1/2 tsp Cinnamon and Sugar

Instructions

Coat apple in cinnamon and sugar.
Add all ingredients in a pint size mason jar.
Mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Add extra almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top before serving.

By Parker Wallace

Adapted from Grape Nuts Cereal

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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Spicy Red Curry Shrimp with Jumbo Scallops and Shiitakes

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Spicy, creamy Thai red curry with shrimp, shiitakes and jumbo scallops

I’ve been on a spicy, Thai kick all week! I’m so inspired to use the newly sprouted hot peppers in my garden and the Thai Basil that has been in full bloom— so here’s my latest incarnation…. Meet Spicy Red Curry Shrimp and Jumbo Scallops with Shiitakes. Whenever I post a recipe, I have to check whether it’s a dinner, low carb, gluten free, etc….The big check here is the ‘GET IN MY MOUTH RAWT NOW’ category. OMG. It’s pretty freaking awesome. JP loved it and I know you will too!

I get my red curry paste at the Dekalb Farmers Market here in Atlanta, but you can find red curry paste in most health food stores or Asian markets. It is NOT the same as Sriracha, folks! This is the kind I love:

Spicy Red Curry Paste is the base of the sauce

The great thing about this sauce is that you can make it 100% vegetarian, because the shiitakes stand on their own….OR, you can do any protein– sometimes to save on time, I just chop up a rotisserie chicken, or cut up some leftover porkchop and add it to the sauce– it’s so versatile. Make sure you do not overcook the shrimp and scallops. My fool proof cooking technique is to use a combination of butter and canola oil on medium/high heat. Make sure the shrimp and scallops are not wet when you put them in the pan. When you lay down the shrimp and scallops, leave them alone! Let them sear. Medium size shrimp only need 2 minutes on either side. The scallops need a bit more butter in the pan to get that gorgeous caramelization. Because they are jumbo, cook them on one side for 3 solid minutes (no moving around in the pan) and then 2 minutes on the other side. I use tongs to flip the shrimp, but a spatula to flip the scallops because you don’t want to break open that delicate skin and let all the moisture out. BOOM. Perfectly cooked.

I mentioned this in my last Thai recipe— make sure you use FULL FAT UNSWEETENED coconut milk. NOT the kind that’s sold in the dairy section, like Silk. You’ll find these cans by the soy sauce and Asian pantry ingredients. It’s also super easy to double the sauce, which I would if you are serving more than 3 people.

Spicy Red Curry Shrimp with Shiitakes and Jumbo Scallops

2015-06-12 16:37:02

Serves 3

An authentic tasting Thai curry dish with a combination of shiitake mushrooms, shrimp and jumbo scallops.

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Ingredients

2 jumbo scallops per person
1 1/2 pounds of medium sized shrimp peeled and deveined
Curry powder and ground ginger (for shrimp)
3 garlic cloves chopped
4 Tb butter, 3 Tb canola oil (divided for sauteing sauce, shrimp and scallps)
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced
2 Tb red curry paste
1 can full fat, unsweetened coconut milk
1 Tb fresh ginger (I love the tubes of Gourmet Garden Ginger in the produce aisle)
1 serrano or jalapeno pepper chopped
1 Tb soy sauce or Tamari
1/2 lime juiced and zested
pinch of kosher salt
2 Tb brown sugar
Thai basil chopped or regular basil and/or cilantro
Chopped cashews
Bean Sprouts (optional)
Jasmine rice or rice noodles

For the sauce

In a large sauce pan, heat up 1Tb butter with 1 Tb canola oil and saute chopped fresh garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant on medium heat.
Add shiitakes and jalapeno or serrano pepper and continue sauteing on medium heat until water is released from mushrooms, about 5 minutes.
Add red curry paste and stir to combine, letting the curry paste blend into the garlic and mushrooms. Continue stirring for another 2 minutes.
Add coconut milk, ginger, soy sauce or Tamari, brown sugar, lime juice/lime zest and salt.
Simmer on low/medium heat until sauce thickens, about 15-20 minutes.

For the shrimp

Dry off shrimp after peeling and deveining. Sprinkle with ginger and curry powder.
Heat up a frying pan (non-stick, cast iron or grill pan) with 1 Tb butter and 1 Tb canola on medium/high heat until butter gets bubble.
Add shrimp to pan and DO NOT MOVE AROUND. Let shrimp sear in the heat for 2 minutes and then flip. Continue cooking on the other side for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside on a plate.

For the scallops

Remove the little "foot" from the side of each scallop. It looks like a small rectangular patch that sticks out from the side of the scallop.
Dry off each scallop and season with a bit of kosher salt.
In a non stick or cast iron or grill pan, heat up 2 Tb butter and 1 Tb canola oil on medium high heat. When butter is bubbly, lay scallops down in pan and DO NOT MOVE. Set your timer for 3 minutes. Turn them over at the 3 minute mark and saute for another 2 minutes. The butter will give them a beautiful caramelized sear. Scallops should be slightly translucent inside when cooked to perfection!
Remove from heat and serve immediately.

To serve

Fold shrimp into the sauce and spoon over rice or noodles. Top with scallops, basil, chopped cashews and bean sprouts.

Notes

Great tip for rice to serve with this dish-- use 1 cup water and 1 cup coconut milk to cook 1 cup of Jasmine rice. Squeeze juice from 1/2 a lime and zest the 1/2 lime into the rice before serving.

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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Thai Green Curry with Chicken and Coconut Milk

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Spicy green curry with creamy coconut milk and a pop of fresh Thai basil

Let’s “THAI” one one, shall we? I am obsessed with the flavors of Thai cuisine because it usually combines my favorite elements– spicy, sweet, savory, creamy and fresh. In this dish, all 4 elements are represented…Spicy: Green Curry Paste. Sweet: A bit of brown sugar. Savory: Shiitake Mushrooms. Creamy: Full fat, unsweetened coconut milk. Fresh: Thai Basil from my garden. This is easy to make and you can find all of the ingredients at your local grocery store in the International or Asian section.

Make sure when you buy the coconut milk, you don’t get the kind that’s sold in the dairy aisle– like Silk Coconut that you would put on your cereal. The consistency is too thin. You need to get the can of coconut milk– and make sure it’s the full fat, unsweetened version. And don’t freak out when you look at the fat content. Coconuts provide fat that is mostly in the form of medium chain saturated fatty acids (MCFA’s) that serves as an antiviral and antibacterial in the body. MCFA’s are also used up more quickly by the body and less likely to be stored as fat. Translation– you can still fit into your skinny jeans with regular coconut milk consumption. Just don’t throw back the Pina Coladas and think you’re on a diet— those cocktails are loaded with sugar!

You can serve this dish over rice or rice noodles, or even thin out the coconut milk with a bit of chicken stock and turn it into a spicy soup. Whatever your pleasure, lovelies! To save time, I picked up a rotisserie chicken and chopped it up instead of cooking chicken myself. If you can’t find Thai basil, regular basil works fine, or cilantro— or even a combination of the two.

Enjoy!

Thai Green Curry Chicken

2015-06-10 13:23:41

Combining all of the best textures and flavors of Thai cuisine: Spicy, sweet, savory, creamy and fresh!

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Ingredients

2 cloves garlic chopped
1 Tb canola oil
1 Tb butter
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
1 jalapeno chopped (seeds removed) *You can omit if you don't like it hot
1/2 red bell pepper
1 Tb Thai Green Curry paste (add more for super spicy!)
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 Tb fresh ginger
1 Tb soy sauce or Tamari
1 Tb brown sugar (you could use honey or agave as well)
1 cup chopped, cooked chicken
palmful of fresh Thai (or regular basil) chopped

Instructions

In a large saucepan, saute garlic in butter and oil on medium heat until it's fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shiitakes and stir until water from the mushrooms is released, about 5 minutes. Add chopped jalapeno and red pepper and saute for another 3 minutes.
Add Green Curry paste and continue to stir until combined, about another minute. Then add the coconut milk, ginger, soy sauce and brown sugar. Let simmer on low to thicken.
Fold chicken into the sauce right before serving.
Serve over jasmine rice or rice noodles. Top with fresh basil

By Parker Wallace

What's on Parker's Plate? http://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/

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