The 4th of July is almost here, which means… it’s time to start party-planning! Nothing says classic American summer party food than good ol’ potato salad!

Everyone has their opinion on what makes THE BEST potato salad. Some like it rich and creamy. Others like that tart and sweet vinegar-sugar flavor. My Grandma Mimi’s potato salad is my top standard, but I love to mix it up with creative add-ins and unique flavors.

Going for a truly festive party, then try my festive Red, White & Blue Herbed Potato Salad! It uses a variety of red, white and blue potatoes along with fresh herbs and the usual potato salad mix-ins.

Visiting other cultures can be a great way to get inspiration and jazz up the regular recipe, too. My Greek Potato Salad incorporates red potatoes with oregano, calamata olives, bell peppers and cucumbers with a d’lish Feta Vinaigrette. Opa!

How about a Pesto Smashed Potato Salad? Yukon gold potatoes are lightly mashed up with fresh parsley, sweet white onions and basil pesto for an easy, creative twist on this summer staple.

Looking for a great libation for a crowd, then check out my cocktail show Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen. Full of imbibing recipes, try out my Metaxa Sangria or my Spiked Iced Tea Punch to celebrate the 4^th!

So Happy early 4^th of July to everyone and make sure to enjoy the celebration with a tasty bowl of potato salad! -Kathy

Red White & Blue Herbed Potato Salad
Potatoes are unpeeled in this recipe—thus giving a colorful and nutritional bonus. Be sure to toss with the vinaigrette while still very warm so they absorb lots of the vinaigrette flavor.

Makes about 6 servings

2 pounds small potatoes, a mixture of red, white or gold, and blue, cut in 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup tiny-diced red onion

Steam potatoes until very tender, about 12 – 14 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl make the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, olive oil, Dijon, herbs, salt and pepper.

When potatoes are still warm, toss them with the dressing along with the red onions, and set aside until cool. Salad is best served at room temperature.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Greek Potato Salad with Feta Vinaigrette
Makes 8 cups

2 pounds red potatoes, cut in 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup halved pitted calamata olives
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 cup chopped roasted red pepper
1 small green pepper, diced
1/2 cup tiny-diced red onion
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup crumbled cheese)
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Steam potatoes until very tender, about 12 – 14 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl make the dressing by whisking together the vinegar, olive oil, Dijon, oregano, salt and pepper.

When potatoes are still warm, toss them with the dressing and set aside until cool, then stir in the remaining ingredients.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Pesto Smashed Potato Salad
This salad is great served warm or at room temperature. You can make salad the day or morning before serving and then refrigerate. If making ahead, remove from refrigerator 1 hour before serving to bring to room temperature.

Makes 12 or more servings

2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup minced sweet white onion
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or purchased
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse-ground black pepper

2 1/2 pounds small Yukon Gold potatoes or other fun, local small potatoes found at farmers markets, such as marble potatoes, fingerlings or baby pinks
1/2 cup tiny-diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, mustard, onion, oil, pesto, vinegar, salt and pepper to make the dressing; set aside while continuing with recipe.

Wash potatoes, then steam, whole, till very tender—be sure they are cooked all the way through. Potatoes should take about 17 minutes for small Yukons but time will depend upon size.

When potatoes are cooked, immediately drain, and add potatoes to the bowl of dressing. With a large spoon, lightly mash potatoes—not like mashed potatoes but more to break them up into chunks; the goal is to lightly smash/break open the potatoes. Then add bell pepper, parsley and basil. Fold potatoes into dressing with a large rubber spatula to coat all pieces.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Looking for the perfect day-trip? Look no further than Bainbridge Island! It’s just a short ferry ride across the Puget Sound, and there are tons of places to enjoy. Here are some of my top picks to get your island adventure started!

My fave new restaurant hangout is local chef and author Greg Atkinson’s Restaurant Marche! I recently had dinner there and it was d’lish ! The menu changes seasonally and totally embodies Greg’s signature NW style with its market-fresh island fare. Make sure you book your reservation in advance!

Add a little extra spirit to your island adventure and check Bainbridge Organic Distillers. This family-owned business is getting rave reviews for creating Washington’s first USDA certified organic gin, vodka and whiskey. Make sure to check out their website for summer tour and tasting schedules.

And before you head back across the water indulge your sweet tooth at Mora Iced Creamery. This super cute shop is a stone’s throw from Marche and offers tasty ice creams and sorbets. Of course, they cover all the classics from French Vanilla to Chocolate and Strawberry. For taste adventurers, there’s lots of creative flavors to  tempt your palette as well. How about a scoop of Lemon Bar or elegant Sabayon – a Marsala wine custard? D’lish!

And if you’ve been to Bainbridge and have a hidden gem of your own, let me know! –Kathy

Restaurant Marché
150 Madrone Ln
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-1633

Bainbridge Organic Distillers
9727 Coppertop Loop NE
Suite 101
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 842-3184

Mora Iced Creamery
139 Madrone Ln
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 855-1112 x301

Sangria is the perfect summer party drink! It’s a great way to test out various fruits with a d’lish, local wine.

On Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen, I share my Sake Sangria recipe! My Asian-inspired drink uses a medium-dry sake instead of wine. Local honey, ginger and lemongrass as well as fresh citrus and a plum play well with the sake. It’s a fantastic accompaniment to sushi!

Kampai! -Kathy

Seattle wine enthusiasts, here’s an event for you! The 5^th annual Wine Rocks event is set for Wednesday, July 11^th from 6:00 – 10:00pm at Elliott Hall (Pier 66)!

This not-for-profit event pairs fantastic wines with live music and food trucks for a unique wine experience. More than 35 Washington wineries, distilleries and breweries will pouring out libatious liquids.  Tickets are only $35, so make sure you buy them in advanced!

It’s almost Father’s Day! Time to show dear ol’ Dad how much you appreciate him. Maybe that means a special family breakfast or brunch, taking him out to a ball game, going for a long drive, or an afternoon on the patio with some good tunes and the grill turned up high.

While the food is cooking and family and friends are gathered around, mix up a special drink for pops and those all gathered round (who can drink of course!).

I have just the drink for him: Whiskey Spiked Iced Tea Punch. You might think punch is better suited for Mom’s special day, but this sunny-weather sip has a definite “manly” vibe about it.

Packed with fresh juices, brown sugar, brewed tea, and some very masculine Jack Daniel’s, this punch is the perfect accompaniment to a fun day of showing Dad he’s number one.

So three cheers for Dad! -Kathy

Spiked Iced Tea Punch
Punch is the perfect party cocktail! For a more-spiked interpretation, let guests add a little more whiskey to their individual drinks. For summertime sipping add in a few slices of fresh peach or nectarine.
For more cocktail inspiration, check out my cocktail show www.liquidkitchen.tv.

Makes about 8 cups, enough for 10 to 12 servings

20 cloves
1 orange
6 very large sprigs fresh mint
3 tea bags black tea
3 cups boiling water
1 cup ice water
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups Jack Daniel’s Whiskey

Poke the cloves into the orange, then cut it into 3 slices. Put the orange slices, mint, and tea bags in a heatproof pitcher or bowl. Add the boiling water, let steep for 1 hour, then remove the tea bags.

Add the ice water, juices, and brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, add the whiskey, and chill until ready to serve. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish as desired.

Recipe adapted from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books

Make this a libatious summer with Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen™! Kicking off the 3^rd Season of my cocktail show, I look back at a classic bar staple for a bit of inspiration.

My Luxury Gin & Tonic is my take on the classic gin & tonic. A fresh lime squeeze and Martin Miller’s Gin play well with my Quick Infusion Tonic Bitters (made with Monin Bitters and an iSi whipper), then topped with DRY Soda’s Blood Orange Soda. For a truly luxurious feel, I finish it off with a Cucumber Lime Foam and a garnish of microplaned lime zest!

Cheers! -Kathy

One of the first delicious signs of summer is sweet, juicy strawberries appearing at the grocery stores and farmers markets!

Of course, strawberries are the perfect treats – just eaten out of hand or piled high on shortcake or dipped in chocolate. Yum! But why not get a little savory with your strawberries this year.

Local berries drizzled with balsamic glaze and a few twists of fresh-cracked black pepper make for a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Wanna try that combo in ice cream? Check out Molly Moon’s ice cream shop for their inspired balsamic strawberry ice cream!

Strawberry & Spinach Salad with sweet walla walla onions, and my Poppy Seed –Ginger Vinaigrette is one of my favorite summer salad recipes. It’s light, refreshing and a great way to use those summer berries for a touch of sweet and tang.

And don’t forget to muddle some in a summer- sipper like in my d’lish Strawberry Shag. It teams lightly-sugared strawberries with fresh basil!  Shaken with vodka and lemon juice, this fresh cooler is perfect to start any patio party!

So enjoy some “first of summer” strawberries! –Kathy

Strawberry & Spinach Salad with Sweet Onions and Poppy Seed–Ginger Vinaigrette
You can substitute toasted hazelnuts for the almonds. This salad is also excellent as an entrée salad, topped with grilled chicken cut into strips and dollops of goat cheese.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Vinaigrette
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup light olive oil or other salad oil
2 teaspoons poppy seed

Salad
3 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered, or another local berry, such as raspberries, blackberries, or blueberries
2 bunches spinach, stemmed, washed well, and spun dry (8 to 10 cups)
1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet white onion, such as a Walla Walla Sweet
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

To make the vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar, ginger, mustard, honey, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil, emulsifying the vinaigrette. Stir in the poppy seed. Refrigerate for up to 2 days.

To make the salad, toss the berries, spinach, and onion with the vinaigrette. Sprinkle with almonds.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books.

Strawberry Shag

(Photo from Kathy Casey’s Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books – Angie Norwood Browne)

Fresh basil lends a fun flavor note to the classic combination of strawberries and lemonade. Soda water introduces a lively sparkle.

Makes 1 drink

1 to 2 large sprigs fresh basil
1/4 cup Sugared Strawberries with juice (recipe follows)
1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
3 to 4 ounces chilled soda water

For garnishing
Fresh strawberry
Small basil leaf

In a cocktail shaker, press the basil and strawberries together with a muddler to release the basil’s flavor. Fill the shaker with ice. Measure in the vodka and lemon juice. Cap and shake vigorously. Pour into a large glass, top with soda water, and stir. Garnish with a strawberry and basil leaf.

Sugared Strawberries
Makes enough for about 6 drinks

1 pint fresh strawberries, stemmed and thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix the ingredients and let sit for 15 minutes before using.

Recipe from Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books

Hello Sunshine!

After a busy winter and spring we are happy to welcome some summer sunshine and have lots of exciting projects and trips on the horizon. Here is a little of what we have been up to since our last newsletter.

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Tasty Travels

Since my trip back from Ukraine, I had about a week to relax at home before heading out again. This time my travels lead me to Ocean Shores, Washington to host the 6th Annual Razor Clam Festival! Ocean Shores is a small beach town on the coast of Washington; about a 3-hour drive away from the hustle and bustle of Seattle. Every year they celebrate this illustrious clam with a fun and tasty festival, from Blood Mary and beer booths, to arts and crafts, and of course a clam chowder cook-off. My team and I judged both the amateur and professional chowder cook-offs and seriously tasted over 45 chowders to choose the grand prize winners. Needless to say we were stuffed to the gills with chowder by the end of the day!

Heather, Erwin and I tasting the first group of chowders!

Then it was off to California’s Napa Valley with teammates Heather and new sous-chef Jason for the Flavor Summit! Held at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, this industry-only event brings in the top leaders in the culinary world to discuss and taste their way through flavor-related topics. The campus is amazing and the seminars were enlightening! I attended with my client Paramount Citrus. We participated in the lunch, cooking up a Sweet Orange, Fennel and Arugula Salad with Citrus Grilled Shrimp and my Market Fresh Lime Agua Fresca with Berries (see below for the recipe). For the ending reception we crafted Liquid Kitchen Ultimate G & T’s (Gin and Tonics), topped with a Cucumber Lime Foam and a grating of lime zest.

Squeezing out some Paramount Limes for my Ultimate G & T!

Then it was off to Los Angeles again. This time for business meetings mixed in with some fun. While in LA, we checked out concepts and visited restaurants, including Bottega Louie where I was drooling over their amazing pastries and cupcakes. Check out the Macaron Tree below! The weekend was full of glitterati sightings at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills where party goers for JJ McKay’s (Seattle party host extraordinaire) party were staying. JJ’s parties always bring in the who’s who of crowds and lead to the best networking ever. Guests flew in from all over the US, including partiers from Miami and NY to Dallas, San Francisco and Seattle.

Bottega Louie’s Macaron Tree!

The always faboo JJ McKay, myself, and producer Joe Gressis from Secret Handshake

Next stops: I’m off to Vancouver, British Columbia this week for work with the Fairmont Hotels and then New Orleans, Louisiana and Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for more tasty travel round up’s on my blog.

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Serious Sippin’ with the Liquid Kitchen

Filming for the 3rd Season of Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen™ just wrapped up with Small Screen Network. We filmed 18 episodes in two days! Vitamix was our main sponsor this season and so expect lots of amazing, blended summer drink episodes, like my Liquid Indulgence (vanilla ice cream, espresso and salted caramel incorporated together and topped with a float of mezcal!) and a Blended Peach Whisky Sour! A Seattle LUPEC member was the top bidder to be a guest on Liquid Kitchen at a recent breast cancer fundraising event. So in honor of the ladies who love to imbibe I created the Green Goddess for an episode – Green Chartreuse, egg whites, fresh pineapple, silver rum, a touch of lemon and Bitter Truth Celery Bitters – yum! Stay tuned for these new episodes to be posted soon!

Special Guest and LUPEC Seattle member Lynn Becker and I shaking up a Green Goddess Cocktail!

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Tasty & Libatious Reads – and Cooking up a New Cookbook

If you follow me on Twitter, then you may have caught wind that I just finished the recipes and am now shooting the photography for my 10^th cookbook… all on deviled eggs! Stay updated with Twitter on my book’s progress as I tweet more behind the scenes of our photo shoots.

The new Food & Wine Cocktails 2012 book is out! This year I share my creative versions of the ever classic French 75. This cocktail book covers an extensive array of classic cocktails with featured mixologists’ personal variations. How about a Salted Maple (a Pisco Sour variation) or a Lord Bullingdon’s Revenge (a Sazerac spin)? There are also non-alcoholic options too! Make sure you get your copy today!

If you’re a frequent flyer, check out this special promo from Amazon.com. Free Wi-Fi access to Amazon.com on most Delta flights. Click here for more info. Faboo!

And don’t forget to check out Sip Northwest magazine for all you Pacific Northwest imbibers, including bars to sip, recipes to make, and new spirits to taste. Here’s a sneak peak on one of my articles. You can also pick up a complimentary copy at my Dish D’Lish cafés at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

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New Restaurant Fave!

New restaurants are popping up everywhere, but one of my new faves is Chef Greg Atknison’s Restaurant Marché located on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Greg is one of my all-time favorite chefs and I am so happy for him and his wife Betsy. The restaurant and menu totally embodies Greg’s signature style and flair. I enjoyed my recent birthday dinner there with the hubby and friends and was swooning by the time I left from total culinary bliss. If you have a trip planned to the Pacific Northwest or are a local be sure to make reservations and check it out. It’s a quick ferry ride across the Puget Sound and is close to the ferry terminal. Marché is open for lunch and dinner on Tuesdays – Saturdays. The menu changes with the seasons, featuring northwest cuisine and island goods (think amazing wild greens, crisp oysters, smooth-as-silk-chicken liver pate you want to rub on yourself!). Take a peek at this season’s menu items.

Bainbridge Island’s newest hot spot!

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Where to Catch Kathy Next:

Tales of the Cocktail – July 25-29, 2012 – New Orleans, Louisiana

The Flavor Experience – August 6-8, 2012 – Newport Beach, California

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Cook Up Some Fun with Paramount Citrus!

Market Fresh Lime Agua Fresca
Makes 1 drink

1 1/2 oz fresh-squeezed Paramount Citrus lime juice
2 oz Zesty Lime Syrup (recipe follows)
3 oz chilled soda water
1 oz Market Fruit Berry Topping (recipe follows)
Garnish: long fresh lime zest twist or lime wedge

Fill a large tall glass with ice. Add the citrus juices and the Zesty Lime Syrup. Add soda water and stir. Top with Market Fruit Topping. Garnish with lime zest.

Zesty Lime Syrup
Makes 2 1/4 cups

3 Tbsp finely minced lime zest (with no white pith)
2 cups sugar
2 cups water

Combine the zest, sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a quick boil over high heat. Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat and let cool. Store refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.

Market-Fruit Berry Topping
Makes 2 1/4 cups

1 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup small diced strawberries
1/4 cup raspberry puree

Mix ingredients together. Store refrigerated.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Liquid Kitchen^TM

I hope you enjoyed my quick recap of what’s been going on lately. Make sure you join me on the weekends at Dishing with Kathy Casey on KOMO News Radio and check my corresponding blog with all the corresponding recipes and tips. –Kathy

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Follow on Twitter @KathyCaseyChef. Blogging: Dishing with Kathy Casey. Like on Facebook: Sips & Apps and Kathy Casey’s Liquid Kitchen. Watch: www.LiquidKitchen.tv.

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