The freshness of the blueberries, sweetness of honey and bold flavours from Ravenswood Zinfandel makes this marinade a sure fire hit for summer grilling.
Add all of the ingredients into a bowl or food grade plastic container, except the oil.
Use a hand-held immersion blender and carefully blend all ingredients together.
Slowly add the oil and emulsify.
Submerge your ribs or choice of meat in the marinade.
Let meat rest in the marinade for approximately 18-24 hours.
Remove meat from bowl and grill on high heat for a few minutes on each side. Char the meat—the sugars from the marinade will create a nice caramelized texture.
Recipe Notes
Don’t feel confined to using this for ribs alone—this marinade would add a punch of flavour to other cuts of meat such as a skirt, bavette or flank steak.
Purge that guilt over food waste (and save cash and time grocery shopping) with these smart tricks to make your produce last longer.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Berries: Rinse with vinegar
Before you stash them in the fridge, wash strawberries, raspberries, and other berries with a mix of vinegar and water (think a 1:3 ratio). This disinfects against mold, which can lengthen shelf life by weeks. Then rinse with water and dry thoroughly. Here are five fascinating facts you didn’t know about wild blueberries.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Lettuce: Store with paper towel
Prepared a bit too much lettuce for your salad? Store leftover leaves in a bowl with a paper towel on top, then seal with plastic wrap. The towel absorbs moisture, which is what turns leaves soggy and brown. Replace the towel when it becomes damp. Another trick: Sprinkle the leaves with a dash of salt, which also helps draw out extra wetness. Here are 12 foods you had no clue you’ve been eating all wrong.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Avocado: Squirt with lemon
Avocado contains enzymes that produce a brown pigment when exposed to oxygen, which is why that halved avocado looks unappetizing so soon after its stored. To avoid this, squirt it with lemon or lime juice. (You can also do this on guacamole.) The citric acid will help prevent browning for at least a day. You could also store avocado slices with large chunks of onion. The same gasses that make your eyes burn when you chop an onion also prevent oxidation in your avocado. As long as the onion touches only the skin of the avocado, there won’t be a noticeable flavour. Here are five more clever ways to put lemons to work all around the house.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Carrots: Store with water
To avoid that dried-out look old carrots tend to get, first chop off the leafy greens if you bought your carrots whole (the leaves can pull nutrients out of the roots). Carrots do best with moisture, so put them in a container filled with water, seal with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator. Or, wrap them in bubble wrap before stashing in the fridge: It will allow just enough moisture to reach the carrots if you prefer not to soak them in water. Don’t miss these 10 more brilliant uses for bubble wrap.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Lemons: Avoid cutting in half
If you need just a squeeze of citrus juice for your recipe or drink, puncture a whole lemon with a fork or skewer instead of cutting it in half. This way, you can squeeze out what you need without drying out the entire lemon. Here are six more clever hacks that will slash your next grocery bill.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Onions: Wrap in pantyhose
It sounds strange, but the mesh-like material allows just enough air to reach the vegetable, which helps them stay fresh. Simply slip the onions into the nylons, tying a knot between each bulb. Tip: Use a new or freshly-washed pair of pantyhose to avoid any foot odours in your next stew. These are the foods you can ruin by storing in the refrigerator.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Potatoes: Store with apples
Apples produce ethylene gas that can keep your spuds fresh for more than eight weeks. Say goodbye to those pesky sprouts that pop up on potatoes after just a few weeks. Here are five more ways to put apples to work around the house.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Apples: Soak slices in salt water
Sliced apples are a convenient snack or salad topper, but browned leftovers aren’t appealing. Soak remaining slices in a bowl of cold salt water to prevent oxidation (but no more than ½ teaspoon of salt per quart of water, or you’ll taste it in the fruit). After five minutes, dry and store your slices in the fridge in an airtight plastic bag.
Unlike a plastic bag, the foil will let the ripening gas ethylene escape. When ethylene is trapped in a plastic bag, it causes moisture loss and spoilage to occur faster.
Ethylene gas is again the culprit here, but separating each banana from the bunch and wrapping each individual stem in plastic wrap can stop the spread of the gas. If they’ve already gotten too ripe for your liking, peel them and store them in the freezer for an easy smoothie addition. Here are six foods you had no idea you could freeze.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Tomatoes: Keep out of the fridge and stem side down
Tomatoes do not like the cold; keep them in the fridge, and they’ll lose their ideal flavour and texture. Additionally, when you leave them on the counter, if they’re off the stem, place them stem side down, as this part of the fruit is the last to ripen. Don’t miss these other tips on how to keep food from spoiling.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
Asparagus: Store upright in a cup of water
Asparagus often dries out before it has the chance to be cooked, but there is a method that will keep it moist enough for your favourite recipes. Just as you would store flowers, place the asparagus upright with the cut edges submerged in a bowl or cup of water. Place it in the fridge, and place a plastic bag over the tops of the vegetable. Check out the nine foods you should never, ever eat raw.
When it comes that peaceful, easy feeling of the perfect backyard summer day, there’s nothing quite like a hammock. When combined with the right beer and putting the phone on airplane mode, it makes for a perfect day.
Just the idea of laying around in a hammock probably has you feeling more laid-back. Whether it’s strung between a couple of trees in the backyard or used with a stand on a patio, a hammock can provide an unprecedented degree of relaxation.
It’s not quite so relaxing to find the right one, but luckily, we’ve pretty much got the hard part figured out. These seven hammocks will provide you with optimal relaxation all summer long. No beer included.
While you can easily spend a couple of hundred dollars on a hammock, you certainly don’t have to just to have a comfortable spot to lay in the shade. This one from Hammock Sky is consistently well-reviewed by customers and comes with a lifetime warranty that promises a replacement for any reason. Unlike more substantial hammocks, it also takes up relatively little space when packed away and comes with a carrying bag for added portability.
Vivere Double Hammock with Space Saving Steel Stand
You can go pretty high-end when it comes to hammock stands, but there’s also plenty of affordable options that won’t leave you lying on the ground. This one from Vivere has thousands of positive customer reviews to attest to it, and it’s available paired with your choice of cotton, polyester, or heavy-duty Sunbrella hammocks (each in a range of colors). At just 35 pounds, the stand is also fairly easy to move around without disassembling it.
If you’re looking for something that’s almost more bed than hammock, you can always consider a more plush option like this one from North Carolina-based Hatteras Hammocks. It isn’t cheap, but it’s designed to last.
ENO’s DoubleNest Hammock is a popular choice for campers, but it’s also a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight hammock for the backyard that’s easy to pack up and take with you on the occasional trip. In addition to being relatively affordable, it’s also available in your choice of dozens of different colors and comes with an attached compression sack that doubles as a convenient pocket when the hammock is set up.
Pawleys Island is a go-to name for many when it comes to hammocks, and that’s largely due to the company’s original rope-style hammocks. Also available in single-person size, this one will accommodate two people with a 450-pound weight capacity and is constructed with higher-quality materials than you’re likely to find in cheaper rope hammocks, including solid oak bars and heavy-duty hardware.
Most of L.L. Bean’s outdoor gear is a safe bet if you want something that will hold up season after season, and that includes its hammocks, which garner consistently good reviews from customers. The Quilted Sunbrella hammock is at the top-end of what the retailer offers and has a reversible design that’s cushioned for some added comfort. The Sunbrella fabric also promises to prevent fading and resist mildew.
At more than six feet long and nearly five feet wide, this value model from Super Deal is a hammock built for two full-grown adults. A hardwood spreader holds the hammock open, making it easier for both people to get out.
I’m not one for pickles. I slide them off my hamburger and pass them to friends when they arrive, speared, on my plate at a deli. I think they’re a bit brackish and almost too playful for their own good, and cartoonish when sliced, staring up at me from a bun. What is this, the Krabby Patty? Um, no.
I am, however, a fan of weird foods. Strange combinations that shouldn’t work and might work but definitely don’t—but wait a minute, was that actually kind of, secretly, maybe delicious?
So when my editor asked me to go try the pickle-flavored ice cream at Lucky Pickle Dumping Co., a restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, I jumped at the chance. I threw my aversion to pickles out the window and hopped on a speeding express train (the very slow 1, actually, which runs devastatingly local, but where’s the drama in that?) toward the only place in New York City with a soft serve machine that spews a creamy, briny pickle dessert.
Since the joint opened in May, people have been going berserk over the salty-disguised-as-sweet-disguised-as-salty treat. But because I’m Texan, there are two things I don’t do until the weather inches generously above 90° F: Jump in the pool with other human beings, and eat ice cream. So when temperatures finally climbed into the 90s this week, I myself climbed up to the Upper West Side and found myself face to face with a soft serve machine labeled pickle.
“I’d like to taste your pickle soft serve!” I shouted at the staff behind the counter. They were cooperative albeit a bit annoyed at my enthusiasm. They gave me a taste that I took a picture of and practically scarfed in one bite (the sample was small).
My eyes lit up! The staff smiled! It liked it! I told them! They nodded because they knew. “Yeah, it’s like really good, most people like it,” an employee told me.
It tasted, at first, like tzatziki sauce, the Greek yogurt dip that’s got its fair share of cucumbers—which makes sense—but without the garlic. There were hints of dill which gave it nuance and heft. It was sweet, yes, but not overwhelmingly so and the tiniest bit tangy, from the pickle brine. It was creamy—it is soft serve after all.
For someone who usually eschews pickles, I found that I wanted to try more. This dessert wasn’t acerbic and green and bumpy like its namesake but rather pale green and smooth and quite pleasant. Pickle soft serve is very, very refreshing.
I asked the manager what was in it, and he told me. It’s on the tip of my tongue… But, alas, a coworker reminded him that their boss specifically told them not to reveal the recipe to anyone. So, unfortunately, I won’t be sharing it here. I liked them enough (as people, you know?) and I would hate for any of the employees at Lucky Pickle Dumpling Co. to be reprimanded for my actions.
My report card: Would I have it again? Absolutely. Was it refreshing? Cool as a cucumber. Did it taste like chomping on a salty, vinegary pickle? Not at all. If anything, I would say it was pickle-inspired. Which really made all the difference.
Miami Swim Week is around the corner, so while you’re mapping out your fashion shows and after parties, we’ve compiled a list of buzzy eateries in the 305 so you can make your reservations ASAP. Click through for newly opened restaurants with coveted tables and all the absolute must-visits while you’re in town for the shows.
The hottest new restaurant in Miami by Michael Schwartz, located in the new Paraiso Bay complex in Edgewater with the best view in town. The menu is dynamic with bold Latin American flavors, and popular large plates for 2 like the meat parrillada. Make sure to get a table outside, so you can head over to the beachy lounge area for an after dinner cocktail.
A Japanese-Peruvian fusion, open-air hot spot on Lincoln boasting a menu spanning sushi to robata-grilled lamb and multi-course tasting menus. Pop in for their special Swim Week menu!
This Dutch-inspired eatery is serving tall stacked sandwiches and all-day “late night” favorites in the heart of Wynwood. Order a Royale with cheese or a fried chicken sandwich while you enjoy live entertainment at night.
One of the hottest new restaurants to hit town by Chef Carlos Garcia, presenting a Venezuelan-style menu focusing on upscale comfort food using seasonal and local ingredients.
The closest you’ll get to feeling like you’re dining al fresco in the Mediterranean, but in Miami’s Design District. Inspired by the tavernas of Aegean coastal towns, Mandolin’s menu features tasty Greek “mezes” like flavored hummus plates or grilled catch of the day to fill you up before browsing the nearby boutiques.
A colorful taquiera by day, speakeasy joint by night. Just enter through what looks like a port-o-potty stall on the righthand side. So, order your pork belly tacos and tortas from the Airstream trailer (right under the greatest marquee sign, ever) and the head to the “baño.”
The best way to beat the heat this summer? Ice cream you can Instagram! Feast your eyes on these iconic (and Insta-worthy) shops churning up bold flavors and big crowds all across the concrete jungle. From fish-shaped cones to seriously unique swirls, these are the hottest spots for cool desserts.
Where cookie dough meets ice cream. This season, you won’t have to swap summers in the city for summers in the Catskills. DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections, the sensational shop serving edible cookie dough is hosting a Camp Cookie DŌ ice cream pop-up at Chefs Club Counter all summer long. It’s bound to transport you back to the days of your favorite camp.
Adorned with swings, canoes and promising plenty of photo ops (of course, for the gram), it’s serving up a menu with nostalgic desserts like a Campfire Sundae, with marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crumble, and a chocolate fudge filled cone topped with a fudge Popsicle soft serve and cookie dough bits. You can also design your own ice cream with “camp contraband.” How’s that for scandalous summer camp memories?
Open through Labor Day weekend. Sunday–Thursday 12 PM-10 PM, Friday–Saturday 12 PM-11 PM.
Sugar, spice and everything vice. Ice and Vice pushes the limit – and your taste buds – when it comes to what ice cream can be. Experimenting with different flavor combinations and unusual ingredients from all over the world, this experiential ice cream shop boasts creative, West-coast style ice cream, and is nothing short of inventive and playful. Treat yourself to a ‘Frosé’ from the menu: a 21+ version of let’s say, strawberry popsicles, which is made using raspberry, rhubarb, rose and last but certainly not least, White Girl Rosé. Edgy, extra, and ultra-chic, this ice cream is the best way to indulge – and get a few likes while you’re at it.
This trendy ice cream company, with stores in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, serves up soft-serve and sorbet with an endless array of ever-changing rotations of flavors. And that’s not all. In addition to this, OddFellows’ new Coffee and Cream parlor boasts caffeine creations topped with flavorful scoops.
Don’t let the English translation of this shop’s name fool you (ahem, “baked sea bream”). All the incredible, edible eats at this spot are sweet as can be – despite being shaped like fish. Photogenic waffle cones filled with swirls of quality ice cream – what more can you (or your followers) ask for?!
Most likely to inundate your Instagram feed, this ice cream shop is scooping up sensational delights that taste just as good as they look. Dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled to confectionery perfection, mix and match cones with Asian inspired ice cream flavors like black sesame, purple ube, and matcha!
Nestled in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Morgenstern’s specializes in “all ice cream everything.” Stop in for classic scoops, old school floats, or some seriously out-there concoctions. We recommend The New God Flow, a Yeezy-inspired must-try consisting of Japanese white bread smothered with decadent honey goodness (uh-huh honey), which is then caramelized (brûlée style), and is finally topped with two scoops of raw milk ice cream.
Though fight it we might, the seasons come and go in a New York minute. But whether you’re in shorts and sandals or a puffer and boots, there’s one classic, versatile wardrobe staple that never stops working. Tagging along with four of our favorite girls-about-town, we’ve the inside scoop on how they work their cashmere from morning to night.
But not all cashmere is created equal, of course. The highest quality around, Naadam is the softest, most durable cashmere on the market (not to mention totally eco-friendly and completely fair trade).
Click through for all the sartorial inspiration you need for moving from the gym to work to a night out!
[Photos by Yumi Matsuo]
From Home Office…
Stephanie Nass – AKA Chefanie – is hands down one of the busiest girls we know. “I wake up early (usually 5:30am) to exercise and do emails before the craziness of business hours – and then catering hours – begins.” At the helm of an ever expanding entertaining empire, the millennial Martha caters some of the chicest events in the city, runs her own members-only dinner club, and has her own line of customizable cake sheets. Clearly, she’s a no-detail-too-small type of girl. And most annoyingly of all, she makes it all look impeccably easy.
Whether she’s baking up a storm, sending out cakes or painting menus for an upcoming soiree at her gilded birdcage of an Upper West Side apartment – decorated, of course, to perfection – comfort and style are key. “Day-to-day I go from the kitchen to client meetings to formal events, so I choose outfits that minimize the number of costume changes and maximize my confidence.”
Opting on the day of our visit for a soft, feminine ruffled dress, her look is a just-right, Goldie Locks recipe of equal parts charm and comfort.
When the workday is done, and all the cake boxes have been sent out, and all emails have been read and responded to, what more glamorous way to spend an evening than all done up at Lincoln Center?
“I choose to live near Lincoln Center because I love classical music. I’d have to say my ideal night is going to the philharmonic followed by dinner at Fiorello’s.”
Add in an après-performance stop at a gelato cart for a sweet fix, and you’re living the dream.
To elevate even an already formal look, a luxe silk-cashmere wrap slung elegantly around the arms will always do the trick. Even on a warm summer night! After all, one should never underestimate the air conditioning indoors, especially at a theatre. Trust, bare armed, goose bumped girls will be jealously eyeing you up and down wishing they had something as perfect to wrap up in.
Not to mention it’s the classiest way to add a chic pop of color to any ensemble.
If you follow Dria Murphyon Instagram (which you obviously totally should!), you know full well that not a day goes by she’s not kickstarting her morning with an impressively healthy (in-your-non-lazy-dreams) regimen.
“I always begin my day by taking some organic supplements from Well Told Health and getting in a good workout. The Bari Studio in Tribeca has sculpt and bounce classes that are my favorites – the perfect combination of cardio and toning.”
Rolling out of bed and into the nearest cafe for a matcha latte before working up a sweat need not be a style-less endeavor. Throwing on an easy, wardrobe essential such as an open v-neck sweater over your sporty spice attire will make you feel worlds better about yourself, and far more photo ready for any #fitspo snaps.
In true New York style, Dria Murphy’s work days make even her most supercharged workout look like a walk in the park. Since founding her PR and branding company Alise Collectiveback in July of 2015, she’s been the go-to girl behind some of the coolest projects and experiences in New York, the Hamptons and beyond.
Working for yourself, while admittedly the dream, is quite the hustle. But all work and no play? Not the storyline here. Don’t let her high wellness score fool you!
“For happy hour, I’m normally super casual. Since I’m pretty much always coming from work meetings, I’ll just throw on a pair of heels and statement earrings and I’m ready to go!”
An easily dressed up style staple that goes from an early morning workout, to mid-afternoon meetings, to a fun round of cocktails with friends at The Happiest Hour. Can’t ask for better mileage, no?
As far as sister-duos go, you’ll be hard pressed to find as stylish and cool a pair as Sophie and Charlotte Bickley. The brunette/blonde team is all about celebrating their individuality, sharing their unique and original styles with their gaggle of followers on their popular blog, Yin 2My Yang.
Street style experts forever documenting their adventures in fashion, these two know more than just a thing or two about pulling together an outfit and striking a pose. Some stop and smell the roses, others stop to snap a selfie. Between meetings and emails, they always find time to fit in one or two impromptu photoshoots highlighting their enviable looks du jour.
A silk cashmere camisole and short set proves every bit the summer win for Charlotte when accessorized with a pair of trendy cat eye sunglasses, and a cheeky clear handbag. And for Sophie, it’s all about a soft hoodie styled with an edge.
After a busy evening of pinballing between fashion events – never doubt that somehow all the best parties always happen on the same night – it’s hard to settle home so easy. Old Rose at the ever-hip Jane Hotel is a late night favorite that never disappoints.
When the sun sets but your schedule doesn’t stop, a quick, strategic outfit change is in order. Swapping her boyfriend jeans and gold top for funky statement pants, and a particularly fun sequin strappy situation, Sophie’s cool girl off-duty standard – a black, uber soft cashmere hoodie – still fits the fashionable bill.
For Charlotte, it’s a denim skirt and mules that completely change the look of her chic lightweight cami.
There’s much to be said for being the most fashionable woman in a room. But if you’re also not the most comfortable, what’s the point?
Leather jackets can run the gamut from expensive to thrify, from shiny and shiny to matte and oversized. No matter what, though, there are options, and hopefully whichever one you choose will last for years.
The right leather jacket for you will be dependable, reliable, and tailored perfectly. Ideally, you can throw it over jeans and a t-shirt and look effortlessly cool and relaxed. But if you’re going to drop some cash and decide on a jacket you’ll wear often, where do you even begin to look?
These eight jackets are each different styles and different price ranges, so there’s something for everyone. No matter which one you choose, though, you’ll end up looking like a total badass.
An oversized leather jacket is perfect for layering, so if you’re the kind of guy who piles on the clothes, this is ideal. This particular jacket from Topman is edgy, chic, and versatile, so it’ll always work, no matter what you’re layering underneath it.
If you prefer a bomber, you have options. This particular leather bomber jacket is extra warm for chillier days and maintains an old time-inspired look for anyone who appreciates a good throwback.
Need something super soft and comfy? This is it. Exposed zippers keep the look from going a little too soft, maintaining the edge and chicness that are synonymous with leather.
Listen, you’ve got to be prepared. We get it. Need a hood just in case? Check. This Mackage jacket can and will take you anywhere, no matter rain or shine. You might never want to take it off.
This matte jacket is a bit more understated than the usual shiny black leather. If you prefer to keep your style a bit more muted and basic, this does exactly that in the very best way possible.
Like to stand out? Brown leather is still neutral enough to wear often, but it’s not as typical as black. It’s also still modern and cool, despite the unexpected color change.
And if you really want to shake things up, this lamb leather jacket is not only atypical in color, it’s also a little bit different in the cut. It’s asymmetrical, bright brown, and matte. Above all, though, it’s still really, really cool.
Drinking any amount of coffee, be it regular or decaf, may help you live longer, according to a new study
The widespread study used data from half a million people
Add this to coffee’s many health benefits, including boosting your athletic performance
By now, you’ve probably seen a lot of studies about coffee — so many that it can be hard to know what’s true about the caffeinated beverage and your health.
But a new study published in JAMA is certainly worth paying attention to, given its sheer sample size. Researchers pulled data on half a million people, and found that drinking basically any amount of coffee was linked to a longer lifespan.
According to the study, drinking a daily cup of coffee — be it regular or decaffeinated — may lower your risk of early death by 8 percent. Drinking six to seven cups a day may lower your risk by 16 percent. Even at eight cups or more, you may still lower your risk of early death by 14 percent.
“Our study provides further evidence that coffee drinking can be part of a healthy diet and offers reassurance to coffee drinkers,” Dr. Erikka Loftfield, a research fellow at the National Cancer Institute and the study’s lead investigator, told Time.
As Time explained, the team of researchers analyzed data on roughly 500,000 people from the UK Biobank cohort. Participants answered questions about their coffee consumption, as well as their smoking and drinking habits and health history, beginning in 2006 and ending in 2016.
Of those 500,000 people, 14,600 died during the study’s 10-year follow up period. From there, the researchers were able to determine the link between coffee and longevity.
They concluded their findings provide “further reassurance that coffee drinking can be a part of a healthy diet” — but as always, more studies are still on the horizon. As Loftfield told Time, “Our current understanding of coffee and health is primarily based on findings from observational studies… To better understand the potential biological mechanisms underlying the observed associations of coffee with various health outcomes, additional studies are needed.”
This is hardly the only study to show the positive health effects of coffee. In 2017, researchers also found that sipping the good stuff can may protect against age-related inflammation; another found that it can even help improve your athletic performance. The year before, a study showed it could reduce your risk of diabetes — and that’s just a small sampling of the research on the topic.
A perfectly tailored suit is appropriate year-round—it’s the fabric that’s seasonal. While heavy wools and tweed jackets look fantastic in the winter, they’re nothing short of suffocating in the warmer months. For spring and summer, opt for lightweight layers that you can wear inside and out, during the day and at night. The key to not sweating is all in the material (and the color; think lighter and brighter). Here’s what to look for.
If you can’t make it to Havana, you can at least dress like it. The light brown check is interesting without overwhelming the easygoing fit and fabric.
Although that famous blue-and-white stripe is often considered synonymous with the word “seersucker,” it actually refers to the puckered fabric, not the print. Hugo Boss’s blue-gray pick is a sleeker alternative.
Cotton twill is another cool fabric to look for. The unstructured construction is super casual—feel free to wear it with a white T-shirt and minimalist sneakers.
.jpg)
