Recipe Roundup - Week 1

If you've been following our blog for awhile, you know that we love fabulous treats! Last summer we shared our favourite recipes for sangria, and we thought that this year, we would share weekly food and drink recipes that will make your summer even more delicious!

We're obsessed with Ina Garten and all things Barefoot Contessa, and try to make her recipes whenever we can; she's basically no-fail. The margarita below is both refreshing and aesthetically beautiful, and the surprisingly delicious combination of sweet watermelon, peppery arugula, and salty feta makes for the perfect summer salad!

Blood Orange Margarita (Serves 4)

Ingredients

1/2 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice (1-3 oranges depending on size)

2 tbsp. lemon juice (1 lemon)

1 cup Triple Sec

3 cups ice

1 cup white tequila

Frozen margarita glasses

Directions

If you like salt on the rim of your margarita glass, rub a cut lime around the edge of each glass and dip the rim of each glass lightly into kosher salt. Combine blood orange and lemon juices, Triple Sec, and ice into a blender and puree until smooth. Add tequila and puree for 2 seconds more. Pour the mixture into your margarita glasses and serve! 

Arugula, Watermelon, and Feta Salad 

Ingredients

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 

1/4 cup minced shallots

1 tbsp. honey

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp. kosher salt

6 cups baby arugula, washed and spun dry

1/8th seedless watermelon, rind removed and cut in 1-inch cubes

12 ounces feta cheese, diced into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Directions

Whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in olive oil, whisking constantly to form an emulsion. If not using within an hour, store the vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator. In my experience, the vinaigrette in this recipe always yields more liquid than you need for this salad (especially because the watermelon will give off some moisture as well, even if you dry it super carefully). Place arugula, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly and toss well (you will probably not need the whole serving of vinaigrette). Serve immediately.

We hope you enjoy these treats as much as we do. We're going to be posting so much more in the next few months!