Trend Watch: Wine Coolers are About to Blow Up

During a summer that saw the return of Zima, and the warm embrace of the spritzer, it’s no shocker that wine coolers are sneaking into the conversation. Wine not? These aren’t the sticky sweet Bartles & Jaymes-type drinks, but more sophisticated sippers. We recently invited some wine professionals to Allrecipes HQ in downtown Seattle for a Wine Cooler Challenge. The mission was to come up with the most delicious, refreshing wine cooler and after more than 20 recipes, the group agreed: Wine cooler creation is a whole lot of fun, the drinks refreshingly delicious. Here’s how it went down.

Photo by Leslie Kelly

The Wine

This challenge featured a wide range of options, from rose to deep, rich reds, and, bubbles, of course. The wines shared a common characteristic: They’re all under $20. Because you don’t want to grab a high-end bottle and add soda. The favorites were Pinot Grigio and Rose from Anew and the Ste. Michelle Brut. These easy-sipping wines are crisp and fruity, but certainly not sweet. That makes them a fantastic foundation onto which something sweet can be added.

Photo by Leslie Kelly

The Mixers

While there was a homemade Cherry Bounce on the bar, the rest of the mixers are widely available, so they’re hardly exotic.

• Sparkling water, including various flavors of LaCroix
• Dry Soda (Watermelon, Cucumber, Rainier Cherry and Blood Orange)
• Coca Cola
• Ginger Beer
• Tonic Water
• Spicy Margarita Mix
• Campari
• Simple Syrup
• Tazo Tea (Earl Grey, Passion Fruit)
• Limes, lemons and orange for zesting
• Brandy
• Orange bitters

Wine cooler mixers. Photo by Leslie Kelly

The Results/Recipes

While a few of the drinks had more than six ingredients — making them more of a cocktail than a cooler — the biggest takeaway from this challenge was also painfully obvious: Keep it simple. There’s something so right about mixing equal parts wine and soda pop, especially when it’s lower in sugar like the assorted flavors of Dry. Crowd favorites included:

Watermelon Crawl by Erin James, editor of Sip Northwest and author of Tasting Cider

1 part Dry Soda Watermelon
1 part brut
Garnish with lemon twist

Pinot Tea-Gio by Zach Geballe, sommelier and host of the Disgorged podcast

6 ounces Pinot Grigio
1 Earl Grey tea bag (steep in wine for 5 minutes and remove)
3 dashes orange bitters
2 ounces Blood Orange Dry Soda (float on top)

Wine’d Down by Chef Shota Nakajima from Adana

2 ounces Campari
2 ounces dry red wine
2 ounces Fuji Apple Dry Soda
1 splash (about a tablespoon) Cherry Bounce
Mix and serve over ice.

Red Wine and Tonic by Rocky Yeh, sales rep for Vinum Importing

Equal parts red wine and tonic water, with a couple drops of orange bitters. Garnish with an orange peel and serve over ice.

Photo by Leslie Kelly

Find more inspiration on Allrecipes Dish:

Cheers! Wine Before Bed Might Help You Lose Weight

How to Host a Wine Tasting Party

Chill Out with These Delicious Wine Floats

Are You Ready for Wine in a Can?

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Chocolate Banana S’mores Dip

This Chocolate Banana S’mores Dip from Big Bear’s Wife perfectly combines banana pudding and s’mores! It is a delicious dessert treat that is full of chocolate banana flavor!  Love banana pudding? Love s’mores? This one’s for you!  LOOKING FOR THE RECIPE & DIRECTIONS? SCROLL DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE LINK!...

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One Pot Ranch Chicken and Rice

This One Pot Ranch Chicken and Rice from Diethood is easy, quick, and completely delicious. Tender chicken is smothered with a delicious homemade buttermilk ranch then cooked up with arborio rice and spinach!  The best part? One-pan means easy cooking and clean up! LOOKING FOR THE RECIPE & DIRECTIONS? SCROLL DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM...

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Make These Easy Summer Cakes With Your Favorite Fresh Fruit

These easy-to-make cakes are as simple as they come, and they’re all done from scratch. No boxed mix, no canned fruit. And no complicated prep. You just stir up some batter, throw in the pick of the season’s best fruit, and bake. You don’t even have to frost them. Hello, lazy summer desserts.

Blackberry Upside Down Cake

Rave review: “This was super easy to make and very very good! It taste just like cobbler, only the texture seems lighter. My kids approved so I think it’s a keeper.” — SamBo

Photo by Shearone

Blueberry Coffee Cake I

Rave review: “I’m not a baker, but I found this recipe easy to follow and it turned out great! My husband isn’t crazy about any cake, but he loved this!” — Lynn

Photo by footballgrl16

GA Peach Pound Cake

Rave review: “Never made anything like this before. It turned out perfect the first go-around. My family loved it and couldn’t get enough. Delicious. Peach lovers have got to try it.” — Jarrod Richardson

Fresh Strawberry Coffee Cake

Rave review: “This is so good and easy. My number one hit right now. Made no changes to it, comes out perfect!” — Aigul

Photo by OccasionalCooker

Plum Blueberry Upside Down Cake

Rave review: “Excellent recipe — I have probably made this a dozen times…the recipe does not say to use a 9″ springform pan but this is the best I have found.” — twinboys

Photo by CC<3’s2bake

Oma’s Rhubarb Cake

Rave review: “My husband doesn’t care for rhubarb and he ate half the cake the first day and raved about how good it was.” — Carolc

Photo by ReneePaj

Fresh Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Rave review: “I usually mess up every dessert I make, but not this one. Super easy and really good.” — Brook

Photo by MommyFromSeattle

Sweet Polish Cherry Cake

Rave review: “This is spectacular! I usually use sour cherries as I enjoy them more, and I substituted some of the flour with almond flour. It’s very easy to make and it’s really moist, everything a good cake should be.” — paintinglilies

Photo by magicallydelicious

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More Summer Dessert Ideas

• 10 Super Cute Summer Party Desserts Your Friends Will Love
• 7 Luscious Desserts to Make With Fresh Summer Cherries
• Pucker up for Our Top 10 Sweet/Tart Lemon Desserts
• These 10 Kid-Pleasing Summer Desserts Are 5 Ingredients or Less
• 9 Easy Summer Desserts Ready to Impress in Under 30 Minutes

For Dessert-Lovers

• Browse our entire collection of delicious summer desserts.
• Check out Allrecipes Sweet Life — your destination for dessert inspiration.

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8 Surprisingly Different Zucchini Side Dishes

Every zucchini grower knows that by the end of the summer, you’ll be begging for someone to take that mountain of zucchinis off your hands. The zucchini glut is a universal problem.  There’s even a special holiday in August designed to help people offload their zucchinis. It’s not that people who grow zucchini don’t like them  — there’s just too many of them, and they keep coming.  Sometimes it’s also hard to think of recipes beyond the usual stuffed zucchini and zucchini bread. To help you with your zucchini bounty, we’ve come up with a list of deliciously different recipes to get you excited about your homegrown zucchinis.

1. Zavioli with Spinach and Ricotta

This low-carb version of ravioli is easy, cheesy and good for you.

Photo by Buckwheat Queen

2. Zucchini Waffles (Green Waffles)

Zucchini patties are great, but who wants to stand over a hot skillet on a sunny day. Use your waffle iron instead for extra quick and crispy patties.

Photo by Christina

3. Greek Zoodle Salad

You don’t need a fancy spiralizer to make zucchini noodles, check out these genius tricks for making zoodles with regular kitchen tools.  Then, go make this heavenly Greek salad.

Photo by Kim’s Coking Now!

4. Japanese Zucchini and Onions

This Asian-inspired dish will be your new favorite way to eat zucchini.

Photo by Soup Loving Nicole!

5. Grilled Zucchini Pizza

This is a great recipe to get kids to eat their green veggies. It’s also easy to make, so the kids can help too.

Photo by Traci-in-Cali

6. Zucchilattas

Sneak some zucchini into some cheesy tortillas and you’ve a tasty snack that everyone loves.

Photo by Sherri

7. Apple and Zucchini Salad

It’s a surprising combination, but this mix of flavors really works.

Photo by Jody

8. Chicken Zoodle Soup

Finally, a chicken soup that’s even healthier than regular chicken noodle soup.

Photo by LilSnoo

Related

• 7 Pro Tips for Making the Best Zucchini Bread
• Are Zoodles Really “All That”?
• Explore our complete collection of Zucchini Recipes.

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15 Deliciously Different Things to Do with 1 Pound of Ground Beef

It always pays to keep a pound of ground beef on hand. Such a versatile ingredient, ground beef is your budget-friendly bestie, ready to help out with quick-and-easy meals.

To make dinner-planning easy, we’ve rounded up a few favorite ground beef recipes. There’s so much variety here, you’ll never get tired of the same ol’ thing.

1. Ground Beef and Cabbage

This simple, homey dish combines cabbage and ground beef cooked with tomatoes and simple seasonings.

Photo by Laguna Lala

2. Asian Lettuce Wraps

“Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family style meal. Spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito and enjoy!” — Rachel Castro

Photo by Chef’d

3. Chef John’s Stuffed Peppers

A classic, comforting hot dish. You’ll stuff a mixture of seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomatoes into tender sweet peppers — any color you like — then cook in a rich marinara and beef broth sauce.

Photo by Chef Joh

4. Mini Meatloaves

Individual meatloaves are made with ground beef, cheese, and quick-cooking oats and topped with a tangy tomatoey glaze.

Photo by KGora

5. Ground Beef with Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

It’s easy to whip up your own homemade taco seasoning mix. Combine the spices and herbs with ground beef and dinner’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

Photo by Rock_lobster

6. Spaghetti Sauce with Ground Beef

Another straight-up American classic — spaghetti in a rich tomato and meat sauce. It’s easy, too; the prep work takes just 15 minutes.

Photo by Meredith

7. Easy Chili I

A spicy ground beef and bean chili with fresh jalapenos that’s quick and easy to make.

Photo by Meredith

8. Simple Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff in a snap. Ground beef and condensed cream of mushroom soup make the prep work easy.

 

9. Cabbage Rolls II

Cabbage rolls you make in the slow cooker. Stuff the cabbage leaves with a tasty mixture of ground beef, onions, and rice, then cover everything with a sweet, tangy tomato sauce mixture.

Photo by lutzflcat

10. Sloppy Joes II

This easy sloppy joe mixture combines ground beef, onions, and green bell pepper with simple, flavorful seasonings.

Photo by Dianne

11. Baked Ziti I

Always a family favorite, this baked ziti recipe makes things easy on you. The recipe calls for sliced provolone, along with shredded Mozz, and jarred spaghetti sauce.

Photo by CookinMama

12. Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy

“An easy-to-make classic featuring tasty hamburger ‘steaks’ smothered in gravy and onions. A great way to dress up a pound of ground beef, and you probably have all the ingredients on hand!” — Anne Marie Sweden

Photo by lutzflcat

13. Slow Cooker Taco Soup

You make this Mexican-inspired ground-beef soup in the slow cooker. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknight meals. Just combine seasoned ground beef with canned beans, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies.

 

14. Grandma’s Ground Beef Casserole

This quick, creamy ground beef casserole combines sour cream and cream cheese with sharp Cheddar and tomato sauce. It’s a very forgiving recipe that takes well to tweaks and modifications.

Photo by MauiGirl

15. The Perfect Basic Burger

And, of course, we couldn’t leave out the weeknight burger. Simply combine ground beef with a very basic bread crumb mixture. “Pile these burgers with your favorite condiments, pop open a cool drink and enjoy,” says Lindsay Perejma.

Photo by sanzoe

Explore our complete collection of Ground Beef Recipes.

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10 Super Yummy Brunch Recipes with a Tropical Twist

Coconut, papaya, guava and pineapple can take your taste buds on a tropical vacation, so why not serve them up during a fun island-style brunch? Those sweet, exotic flavors stand out like a plumeria lei on a hot day when they’re folded into pancakes, waffles and top French toast. Try these top-rated recipes for a quick trip to Yummy Town. Aloha!

We’re Cuckoo About Coconut

Looking at those itty bitty flakes, it’s hard to believe they pack so much flavor and such an amazing texture. Toast coconut to make it even better, adding depth and a slight crunch. It’s all good when used in these popular preparations.

• Coconut Banana Pancakes
• Shannon’s Banana Coconut Muffins
• Coconut and Banana Smoothie
• Banana Coconut Smoothie Bowl
• Baked Coconut French Toast
• Coconut Syrup

Say Aloha to Some Pineapple + Banana

Grown in the warmest tropical climates, these juicy fruits are not only off-the-charts deeeelish, but also so super good for you, too. Take papaya, for instance, which helps with digestion. And pineapple is said to have powerful anti-oxidant properties. Better have another helping!

Photo by lutzflcat

• Pineapple Creamsicle Smoothie
• Hawaiian Pineapple and Coconut Waffles
• Baked Pineapple
• Banana Crepes

Please check out all things Brunchworthy

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8 Best Slow Cooker Breakfasts To Start Your Day

Put your slow cooker to good use in the morning. Whether you’re feeding an early-morning crowd, need a break from cooking during the holidays, trying to get the kids out the door, or just want to sleep in, breakfast has never been easier. Set it, forget it, and wake up to breakfast!

Though we often think of slow cookers for heartier, cold-weather meals, like chili and stew, it’s perfect for cooking a tasty and fresh breakfast overnight. All you need to do in the morning is get out of bed and grab a fork or spoon.

1. Overnight Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

Packed with eggs, hash browns, cheese, and sausage, this savory breakfast dish can be started before you go to sleep and is ready when you wake in the morning. Feel free to swap out the basil for any fresh herbs you have on hand, or sauté some bulk sausage in place of the links.

• If omelets are more to your liking, try the Slow Cooker Western Omelet

2. Slow Cooker Oats

If you find you are always in a rush in the morning, whether it’s getting ready for school or work, start your day right with a hearty and healthy breakfast. Steel cut oats are slowly simmered with apples, raisins, and spices in this warming porridge. Make sure to use steel cut oats for the best texture and flavor.

• Not quite full? Slow Cooker Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats and Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Steel Cut Oats are perfect for fall mornings.

3. Mal’s Maple Date Pecan Granola in the Slow Cooker

We often think of making warm, creamy oatmeal in our slow cookers, but you can also take those oats and make crunchy granola. Preparing granola in a slow cooker is ideal, as there is less likely chance of it burning in the oven. This lightly spiced granola is sweetened with applesauce, maple syrup, and brown sugar.

4. Kefir Yogurt (Sana)

Did you know that you can make your own homemade yogurt in a slow cooker? This version, using kefir, has more cultures and probiotics (bacteria that keeps your gut healthy) than regular yogurt. You can even prepare your own slow cooker jam to mix into your kefir yogurt.

5. Amazing Slow Cooker French Toast

Whether you call it bread pudding of French toast, this recipe is sure to get you the highest praises. The trick is to use cinnamon-raisin bread, which adds a ton of sweet flavor. This is a great recipe to serve for brunch – let it cook while you’re welcoming your guests.

• If you can’t get enough, try out Bread Pudding in the Slow Cooker.

6. Slow Cooker Applesauce

Whether you’re topping your oatmeal, spooning it over pancakes, or just eating it by the spoonful, applesauce is a great breakfast condiment. Use your favorite variety of seasonal apples for this dish. For even more flavor, swap out half of the apples for pears or play around with different spices, like cardamom, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

• Have a little extra time? Try this long-cooking All Day Apple Butter.

7. Slow Cooker Vanilla Tapioca Pudding

We often think of tapioca pudding as dessert, but it’s actually perfect for breakfast. Made with eggs, milk, and grains, it’s packed with both protein and carbs (and a touch of sugar!). Top it with fresh fruit or your favorite slow cooker jam.

8. Hash Brown Casserole for the Slow Cooker

Simple to prepare, and always a crowd pleaser, serve hash brown casserole as a side dish alongside bacon and eggs. This dish travels well and is prefect to bring along if you’ve been invited over for brunch.

Hungry for More? Learn how to buy the best slow cooker, and then prepare some make-ahead freezer meals or cozy up for some comfort foods, all in your slow cooker. And, please check out all things Brunchworthy.

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12 Quick, Healthy Sides for Perfect Summer Picnics

It’s always the sides that make the picnic, cookout, or BBQ! Which is why we picked out a dozen of our favorite summer sides. These easy, healthy sides pair perfectly with main-dish picnic recipes like roasted salmon and grilled chicken breasts. Give ’em a try!

1. Kate’s Grilled Corn Salad

Fresh corn pairs up with chopped tomato, orange bell peppers, cucumber, cilantro, and cubes of Monterey Jack cheese. A touch of balsamic vinegar gives it a bright blast of flavor. K8norris calls it, “A fresh, colorful grilled corn salad that tastes wonderful and is very healthy. It’s the perfect side dish for a barbeque or Mexican dinner.”

Photo by lutzflcat

2. Refreshing Watermelon Salad

In this refreshing summer salad, juicy watermelon joins with cubes of fresh cucumber, sliced red onions, cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese. “A surprising yet delicious combination of ingredients that can be had as a starter salad, healthy snack, or a light meal,” says CHICA3578.

Photo by CookinBug

3. Almost Fat-Free Green Onion Potato Salad

Here’s a tremendous nearly no-fat alternative to regular potato salad. Rich, non-fat Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise creates a creamy potato salad that’s almost totally fat-free. Toss the taters with the flavorful green onion, garlic, and olive oil mixture, along with seasonings, Greek yogurt, and a touch of mustard.

 

4. Healthy Warm Farro Salad

Farro combines with chopped kale and feta cheese, all brightened with an olive oil and garlic dressing. Enjoy this quick and delicious salad warm or cold. “It is great as a packed lunch, too,” says Cris.

Photo by Kim’s Cooking Now

5. Caribbean Sweet Potato Salad

Corn combines with russet and sweet potatoes, chopped cucumbers, red onions, and finely chopped peanuts. “Light and cool, it’s perfect for a barbeque or picnic when you don’t want to deal with the mayonnaise of regular potato salad,” says PEMBERLEY.

Photo by slmcm

6. Mediterranean Bean Salad

“This is an easy, healthy salad that is a great side dish to BBQ chicken, beef or fish,” says Sourdough girl. “It can also be easily adapted to a Tex Mex-style salad by changing the lemon to lime, parsley to cilantro, and adding ground cumin and/or chili powder!” Naples34102 adds, “”Fresh and flavorful, and I love the light, refreshing dressing.”

Mediterranean Bean Salad | Photo by naples34102

7. Savory Spanish Potato Salad

This healthy salad combines red potatoes with red bell peppers, pimento-stuffed green olives, and a tangy red wine vinegar-based dressing. “This is just the kind of potato salad that we love,” says mauigirl. “No heavy dressing….just fresh and light dressing with bright flavors.”

Photo by lutzflcat

8. Honey Lime Fruit Salad

“This salad is so refreshing and yummy,” says Tryna. “Seasonal fruit with a touch of lime and honey makes it elegant too!” SweetieV raves, “A great fruit salad! Do NOT skimp on the pine nuts! They have a unique flavor and crunch that makes this recipe.”

Honey Lime Fruit Salad | Photo by lutzflcat

9. Mediterranean Potato Salad

“A nice change from traditional potato salad,” says hockeymom. “It’s very light and goes over great at potlucks!” Bell peppers, potatoes, and cucumber combine with feta cheese and wedges of pita bread. It’s all dressed up with lemon juice and Italian-style salad dressing.

Photo by SunnyByrd

10. Black Bean, Corn, and Quinoa Salad

“Tangy and zippy,” says Buckwheat Queen. “I added some cayenne pepper and used precooked tri-colored quinoa. Can’t get any easier than that! Next time, I’ll add an avocado.”

Photo by Buckwheat Queen

11. Italian Potato Salad

This simple no-mayo potato salad does it deliciously with an olive oil, white wine vinegar, and minced garlic dressing. “My mother made a version of this for every summer occasion,” says carol. “The family demanded it!”

Photo by naples34102

12. Potato and Mustard Greens Salad

If mustard is so good in potato salad, why not mustardy mustard greens? That was Chef John’s question. And this recipe was his delicious answer. Oh yes, the combo completely works. This potato salad with greens is delicious as a side dish for basically any food you can toss on the grill.

 

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• 7 Heart-Healthy Recipes That Go Big on Flavor
• 10 Clean-Eating Recipes Using Fresh Farmers Market Ingredients
• 23 Recipes To Make You A Lean, Mean, Clean-Eating Machine
• 10 Easy Clean Eating Recipes for Quick Weeknight Meals
• 10 Cozy Soups For Your Clean Eating Lifestyle

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