Ghost River Beer Mac and Cheese

Don't blame me for ruining your diet. Alex's birthday was Sunday, and his number one request was homemade mac. Yet when discussing the dish at our Fourth of July party in New Orleans, a friend mentioned her beer mac and cheese version. If only you could have seen Alex's reaction to the suggested ingredient whilest sipping on a beer. Game over.

Once back in Memphis, we grabbed a bottle of local Ghost River Golden ale from the fridge and got cookin'. The result was perfection. I highly recommend this side for a summer cookout -- it goes well with the grill, which, on ours, boasted bone-in ribeyes. Let me know if you try out this cheesy life-changer!

Makes 6 servings

2 1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow noodles 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 8 ounces milk 8 ounces Ghost River beer 8 ounces freshly grated cheddar cheese 4 ounces freshly grated parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika pinch of black pepper pinch of nutmeg 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Boil pasta according to box directions, though cut off 2 minutes of cook time since noodles will cook further in the oven. Drain and set in a casserole dish.

2. Heat a saucepan over medium high heat and add butter. Once melted, whisk in flour and cook until bubbly and golden in color, about 2 minutes. Add milk and beer into saucepan, whisking constantly. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Turn heat down to medium and continue to stir for 5-6 minutes while mixture thickens. It will most likely not thicken like regular mac and cheese because of the beer. Stir in pepper, paprika and nutmeg.

3. Pour cheese mixture directly over pasta and gently toss to coat noodles evenly. Top with panko bread crumbs and an additional sprinkle of cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly on top.

4. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

recipe inspired by how sweet eats

Rooftop Seafood Dinner with Lesouque

I'm all about a summer al fresco dinner; and when Lesouque sent me an adorable pair of oyster-studded linen napkins, I knew a seafood spread was in order. Jumbo fresh gulf shrimp and mussels made the top of on the farmers market list, as I was eager to experiment simple recipes for a rooftop evening. On the menu: A bottle of Stepping Stone's crisp sauvignon blanc, steamed mussels with garlic and white wine (recipe below), shrimp with fava beans (look for the recipe next week!), and squash with basil ribbons.

Lesouque is a carefully curated online boutique, bringing refreshing finds from independent designers worldwide.

Growing up in Turkey, Founder Gokben Yamandag always had a keen desire to introduce the talents of her home country beyond its borders. While her initial idea focused on featuring one-of-a-kind items crafted by talented independent designers in Turkey, it has quickly evolved to include pieces from designers and artists from other countries and cities she has lived and visited - from London to Austin, Copenhagen to Mumbai, Paris to New York and most places in between.

Gokben & co-founder Penelope Fisher work together to uncover talented designers and carefully hand-pick each item displayed on the website. It’s important to the duo to not only know the story behind each product, but also to know each designer personally.

Click here for exclusive early access to the site's pre-sale product lines. You'll get first dibs on small batch products, such as these adorable Nell & Mary oyster linen napkins, stacking thimble cups for condiments, and my friend Brit McDaniel's Paper & Clay ceramic line.

Once you've signed up, keep scrolling for a super manageable mussels recipe. I couldn't believe how simple these were to prepare. The aromatic flavors of fresh garlic in simmered wine took me back to my summer in Paris.

Makes 2 servings

2 pounds frozen mussels, rinsed in tap water 1 onion, sliced 4 cloves garlic, sliced 1 cup white wine 1 tablespoon olive oil

1. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until translucent (approximately 5 minutes).

2. Add wine and mussels. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until shells are popped open. Serve immediately as an appetizer or main course.

This post is in partnership with Lesouque. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!

Grilled Peaches with Honey and Mint

My weekly trip to the Memphis Farmers Market has reached a new level -- the peach farmer (first booth on your right from the main entrance) recognizes my routine visit. I hate to waste an entire basket of ripe peaches, so he lets me take 2 for a dollar, or 4 for $2. It's a super sweet gesture for my favorite fruit of the season.

Grilled fruit is a go-to side dish or salad base for my summer meals, particularly because the natural caramelization is so irresistible! I add a few drops of Nature Nate's before throwing them on the heat; and 5 minutes later, they're ready to go.

For a richer application, my friend Justin Fox Burks of the Chubby Vegetarian throws his grilled peaches in a dutch baby with fresh, creamy burrata cheese. The heavenly fruit and cheese combination could serve as a light salad or more savory dessert option.

Enjoy the rest of your summery weekend!

Makes 2 servings

2 peaches, pitted and quartered 2 sprigs fresh mint 1 tablespoon Nature Nate's honey 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1. Spray nonstick spray on a grill (or grill pan) over medium heat. Brush peach slices with honey.

2. Place peaches, skin side up, on grill. Allow fruit to caramelize for 4-5 minutes until grill marks appear.

3. Immediately plate peaches. Top with torn pieces of mint, sprinkled sea salt, and a bit of extra honey if you're in need of some more sweetness.

Share your own Nature Nate’s honey creations on social media with @naturenates and #honeymakesitbetter!

This post is in partnership with Nature Nate's. Thank you for being supportive of my sponsors!

Grill Out and Chill Out

This post was made possible by Longhorn Steakhouse. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! Happy June! 'Tis the season for summertime grilling galore. Though I will miss my weekend habit of schmoozing at Tennessee Brewery: The Revival beer garden during the months of April and May, I am pledging to move past my fear of the grill and prepare some memorable summer dinners.

I personally do not own a grill but am lucky to share a rooftop community grill for my Downtown apartment building. It's fantstic to call "dibs" and gather friends for a sunset gathering. Last weekend on Memorial Day, upon receiving some swanky grilling goodies and tips from Longhorn Steakhouse, I planned a beautiful, doable meal of grilled shrimp skewers, filet, okra and brussels sprouts. You've got to try it!

Follow along for some tips to entitle yourself an official "grillmaster" in no time...

1. Prep your surface. Your grill should be hot (about 500 degrees) and cleaned with a wire brush. Place your hand three inches above the grates, and count to three. If you need to pull your hand away before you hit “three,” it’s ready.

2. Prevent sticking. Before you put anything on your grill, rub the grates with an old wash cloth dipped in a small amount of oil. Use your tongs to handle the washcloth so that you don’t risk burning your hand.

3. Get in the zone. If you’re working with a large gas grill, create cooking “zones” by keeping one section at a lower temperature. As your meat and vegetables start to cook through, you can move them to a cooler area to slow down the process.

4. Tools of the trade. Keep everything you need within reach: metal spatula, heavy duty metal tongs, a good grill brush and a small squirt bottle (used to douse any flare-ups).

5. Select fresh proteins and vegetables. If you’re planning to serve steak, filets, sirloins and ribeyes are best on the grill – just be sure they’re fresh, never frozen.

6. Boldly season. Don’t be shy when seasoning your steak! Go bold. For an at-home rub, try “The Big 4” – salt, pepper, granulated onion powder and granulated garlic powder.

7. Sear-in diamond marks. Searing locks in flavor, as well as creates those great grill marks synonymous with summer. Grill your steak for 2-3 minutes on one side, then give it a quarter turn. Flip and repeat.

8. Test for doneness. With a meat thermometer, steaks should be at minimum 120-130 degrees if you like it rare, and up to 170 degrees, if you prefer your steak well-done.

9. Handle with tongs. Only use tongs to touch your meat. Poking with a fork to rotate or pull it from the grill will let the juices and flavor out.

10. Give it a rest. Make sure you let your steaks and other proteins rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to settle back into the meat, resulting in optimal flavor.

Tips provided by Longhorn Steakhouse's executive chefs. Thank you for supporting our sponsors!

Summer Green Pea Medley

Y'all, I just discovered a new love affair with Sprouts Farmers Market, which just opened in a suburb of Memphis. The produce is particularly gorgeous and colorful, especially this time of year. Above all else, it's affordable. I gathered fruits and vegetables of all shapes and sizes to accompany my fish and chicken this week. Somehow, Sprouts has pushed me to be excited for a healthy week of eating ahead! Here is a super, super simple green side that'll be ready to plate in under five minutes. It's protein-fiber-filled and carb-free. I'm addicted to the nutty, crunchy textures of the medley.

Despite it s ridiculous simplicity, I hope you'll look to this recipe for inspiration with summer produce. As I always like to say, it's about highlighting the ingredient -- no sauce necessary!

Makes 2 servings

2 handfuls French green beans, washed and trimmed 8 pods fava beans, shelled 1/4 cup edamame, shelled 1/4 cup green peas Truffle or olive oil, to drizzle Sea salt and pepper

1. Bring one medium pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath beside the stove.

2. Add beans and peas to water and blanch for 1-2 minutes until vegetables are bright green. With a slotted spoon, remove vegetables and add to ice bath to freeze further cooking.

3. Remove vegetables from ice bath and plate. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Serve alongside...anything! I enjoyed mine with white cod and Rainier cherries.

Radish Goat Cheese Toasts

As I reflect on a wonderful Kentucky Derby brunch from this past Saturday, I realize the comparable qualities to that of a perfect Mother's Day brunch for family this upcoming Sunday. The dishes translate flawlessly, from poached eggs on flaky biscuits to radish goat cheese toasts (see recipe below). If you have yet to make a restaurant reservation, do not fret! A homemade meal with your personal touch will please any mother...That's why I'm planning a spring frittata and Strano's freshly baked cinnamon rolls to-go for mine. How are you celebrating and gifting for Mother's Day?

1 loaf ciabatta, sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 radishes, thinly sliced 1 4 ounce round of goat cheese, room temperature 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely chopped Maldon flaky sea salt, to taste

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in cast iron skillet. Place 4-5 toast slices on skillet (or however many fit!). Leave for 2 minutes until golden brown. Flip. Remove toast and repeat until all slices are golden.

2. Spread each toast slice with a thin layer of goat cheese. Top with radish slices, a sprinkle of rosemary, sea salt, and black pepper.