I don't know about you, but when it's hot outside, I usually don't feel like spending any more time than I have to in the kitchen, which makes a big, easy salad the perfect lunch or dinner. The other day I made a really delicious and bright salad with grilled shrimp and fresh fruit that is just perfect for summer, and I'm sharing it today over on the La Crema blog! 

But before you head over there for salad (and candied walnuts!), I thought I'd leave you with a really easy and delicious balsamic vinaigrette recipe. I like to make a big jar of it so I'm always ready to dress a salad, but it's quick enough to whip up anytime you need it

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine Dijon, garlic, and balsamic vinegar.
2. Stream in the olive oil while continuously stirring.
3. Store in a container with a spill-proof lid so you can give it a quick shake before serving.

This post is brought to you in partnership with La Crema Winery. Visit their blog for my summer salad recipe today! And thanks as always for your support as I work with sponsors.

Photos by Sarah Gatrell for Freckled Italian.

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This post is sponsored by Hebrew National.

The fourth of July is coming up and I'm back with another Hebrew National post to help you plan for an Independence Day party! Obviously there's probably no other food that screams "America" more than a chili cheese dog, but I also came up with a few other combinations for your next celebration.

• BBQ sauce + Coleslaw
• Thinly-sliced radishes + dill relish
• Baked beans + chili
• Some combination of all six!
• Note: The combination of franks and these toppings may not be Kosher.

And here are some easy and straightforward party-throwing tips:

• Make it festive! Depending on whether you plan to entertain inside or outside, pick up some little flag toothpicks or streamers or even balloons. If you like to keep it simple (kind of my life mantra lately), just stick to red and white napkins, or maybe even a fun tablecloth to tie everything together.
• Have all your toppings and condiments set out and ready before your guests arrive, so when they show up all you have to do is throw the hot dogs on the grill and enjoy a beverage with them.
• Speaking of beverages, keep a nice variety--I like to have sodas or fun, flavored waters handy in case someone doesn't want to drink alcohol. You could even make a few interesting simple syrups so people can make their own Italian sodas. As far as adult beverages go, you really can't go wrong with beer and wine on a hot day.
• Make the food fun--I decided to include radishes because I love them and had never thought to put them on a hot dog. See who can come up with the most creative combination.
• Have gluten-free buns or big pieces of lettuce for anyone who doesn't eat bread--I always appreciate that so much whenever I go to someone's house for dinner. (Just make sure you keep them separate from the regular bread--in these pictures I plated everything together because I'm not so sensitive to gluten that I can't eat anything that's been cross-contaminated, but some people are.)
• Don't forget the music! I made a little playlist to get you started. These are all songs I'd love to listen to during a cookout--they all remind me of summers or college afternoons in some way:

1. This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads
2. The General by Dispatch
3. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
4. Dust on the Bottle by David Lee Murphy
5. I Will Wait by Mumford & Sons
6. Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
7. Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show

What makes a Hebrew National kosher hot dog premium? It's all about what makes the cut (and what doesn't). We're choosy about what goes into our franks--we use only premium cuts of 100% kosher beef from the front half of the cow and then choose the best from that. No artificial flavors, colors, fillers, or by-products. When your hot dog is Kosher, that's a hot dog you can trust! For more summer fun with Hebrew National, visit facebook.com/hebrewnational.

If you know me at all, you know I can't resist a big bowl of noodles. Last month, La Crema asked me to come up with a ramen recipe that would compliment their awesome Pinot Gris and I was absolutely up to the challenge!

I made a big batch of broth and actually found some gluten-free ramen noodles, so we had regular and GF options. Then I set out little bowls of toppings so that everyone could make their own bowl, exactly how they liked it. I was actually surprised at how easy and delicious it turned out!

Ender wanted some, too. Can you blame him?

This post is brought to you in partnership with La Crema. Find my ramen recipe on their blog today! Make some this weekend and let me know how you like it--tag me (@mflynnpete) and La Crema (@lacremawines) on Instagram so we can see!

Photos by Sarah Gatrell for Freckled Italian.

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