Earlier this year, my cousin and I had a very serious conversation–about our favorite beverages and the seasons in which we like to consume them. Hahaha. Ok, so it wasn’t THAT serious, but we thought it was all super interesting. And then we started talking about summer and she started to laugh. I have a major sweet tooth–and this does not abandon me in the face of choosing libations…. Especially in the Summer.
I know I’ve said it before, but I am definitely a seasonal drinker. It’s almost as if I have a particular type of drink that I consume straight for a month or so, then I move on to something different. Throughout a year, it seems to go like this: September – Bourbon/Manhattans/Old Fashioneds; November – Red Wine; December – Champagne; (If there’s a vacation in January, there is usually something tropical and sweet in there…); February – Back to Red Wine or Vodka drinks; April – White Wine; May – Red Wine Coolers; July – Moscow Mules/Smirnoff Ice (please don’t judge me…); August – Sweet Tea Vodka with Lemonade. I don’t do this on purpose, it just seems to happen. A new “season” starts to happen, and my taste buds oblige by forcing me to crave a new kind of drink that evolves with the weather.
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One of the things I like to do on The Hungry Dater is give you guys reviews of the things I think you all will like. Many times their reviews of bars and restaurants, but other times they’ll be reviews of books, date night places, or services I think are helpful, important or fun.
Hello Hungry Daters! And welcome to another “Meatless” Monday. I have always had difficulties eating vegetables, but I have to admit, it’s much much easier for me in the Summer, and that is thanks to the grill. Though I don’t always love the taste of vegetables, I do love the taste of a grill fire, and it seems to make everything better. This isn’t really a recipe so much as a form of cooking. When May comes around, I always start looking for sweet corn. I know it’s still a bit early, and in May and sometimes June, it’s always a crap shoot as to whether the kernels are going to be extra thick because I’ve purchased them a smidge too early. But honestly, even then, I will consume fresh corn in several different ways, often at an alarming rate–tough kernels be damned! And now, we’re definitely in prime corn season for at least two more months….
I think it was my parents’ generation who really first decided to start grilling fruit. I mean, I’m sure it happened before then… and often, but I want to say that grilling fruit at home became much more main stream about the time I was in high school in the early 2000’s.
This week’s weeknight meal is one which I found in Cooking Light years ago, and I continue to use it frequently.
An actual meatless recipe for “Meatless” Mondays this week, though admittedly, you probably want to eat this with something else as it’s not a meal in itself. I make this slaw frequently in the summer because it goes so well with traditional BBQ (including the Ribs posted here). Depending on what kind of meal I’m making, there are often times I won’t use all the dressing it calls for. Sometimes I’ll even add vinegar to the recipe to cut the mayo and make it feel a tiny bit healthier, while still making sure all the cabbage is covered. However, when it’s the mate for traditional BBQ, for a special occasion, that is the perfect time to use this recipe just as it is.
I have to admit, I’ve always loved my birthday. It sounds terrible, but I love that there’s one night a year where I can invite all my friends out and they generally feel obligated to say yes. Hahaha. Make no mistake, I have great friends and I promise I’m not so pathetic that I have to obligate them to hang out with me on a regular basis; but life is so busy anymore that it’s a very rare occasion that everyone is able to get together all at once. And I truly love having everyone I love together at the same time.
Hello there! Saturdays on the new Hungry Dater are a bit eclectic, I realize. The weekends, for me, are a time to enjoy, perhaps cheat a little bit, and, of course, to have parties! As a single person, a big part of my dating life comes from big gatherings–whether it’s because that’s where to meet people, it’s a chance for my friends to meet a new beau of mine, or it’s just because I’m bored 
I love pretty much all holidays, mostly because there are always new foods and recipes to try and taste, in addition to being an excellent excuse for having parties. I usually have a Cinco De Mayo party every year, complete with enchiladas, Mexican rice and homemade margaritas.