While I was on a previous Summer break, I did a lot of eating and drinking. A LOT! The Home Chef Extraordinaire outdid himself with all sorts of fresh, healthy, colorful foods so you can expect to see more of his tasty recipes added to my Colorful Eats series.

Somewhere in between food gorging and taste testing, I got the bright idea to experiment with spirits, mixers and garnishes to see if I could create some beverages that would live up to the very high standard set by the culinary wizard. Wine.com and other places for the ingredients for tasty libations were bookmarked and favorited for easy access because each drink I came up with always seemed to require a whole new set of ingredients. One night, my kitchen island looked like a fully stocked bar in a nightclub!

I hope you love the products I recommend! While this blog post was not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

You should know that I don't drink alcohol. That's right, I'm a non-imbiber and I have spent a lot of my adult life trying to find restaurants and bars that don't treat those of us who choose to not to indulge like kids or even worse, outcasts with only the standard Shirley Temples, juices and sodas amongst their limited offerings.

Pre-Covid, mocktails were starting to become trendy, with some innovative spaces dedicated to the non-alcoholic lifestyle popping up all over the country. From exotic herbal elixirs to spirit alternatives, booze-free living no longer has to be boring and monotonous. 

I wanted to share a few of my successful liquid experiments with you so Colorful Cocktails will be a new blog series featuring beautiful concoctions that I've imagined and even a few standards that I've reimagined. The first drink on the menu is called the The Heartbreaker.

It was a drink originally created in honor of Valentine's Day (hence the name) and you can find variations all over the web but my spin is a bit unique. It's pale pink in color and a bit on the sweet side so I recommend serving it for showers, brunches or afternoons on the deck. And please feel free to substitute your favorite alcoholic spirit for my spirit alternative. Check out the recipe below!

The Heartbreaker

makes 1 serving

Ingredients

1 oz tequila (the Home Chef's favorite!) or tequila alternative (<-- LOVE this!)

1 oz fresh lemon juice

1/2 oz rose syrup (this one is best - vegan and gluten-free!)

ice cubes or crushed ice 

edible rose petals (optional)

Instructions

1. Place tequila or tequila alternative, lemon juice and rose syrup in a shaker with a few ice cubes or crushed ice for a less intense flavor. Shake briefly to mix.

2. Pour into a glass of your choice (these are perfect!) straight or over crushed ice for less intensity.

3. Garnish with a few edible rose petals. Enjoy!

NOTE: Please drink responsibly!

Until next time, raise a glass to living a color-filled life!

My family would not consider themselves as strictly vegan, vegetarian or pescetarian. We are truly omnivores because variety is the spice of life, right?

We try to eat healthy foods every day but we are not regimented nor do we have any allergies that would keep us from any food group. However, eating beef is really a once-in-awhile thing.

It's usually the occasional hamburger or a juicy steak for the Home Chef Extraordinaire. As we've matured, we have found that certain foods are more difficult to digest and beef has become challenging at times.

But my Wine-Braised Short Ribs With Potatoes are a Fall favorite meal that we all look forward to for special occasions.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

As with many of our Colorful Eats recipes, this dish is made in an Instant Pot which means it's simple, quick and incredibly flavorful. It's just right for those cozy Winter evenings when you just want a meal that's warm and savory. 

I adapted this recipe from the America's Test Kitchen Mediterranean Instant Pot Cookbook . You may already have most of the ingredients for this rich, delicious dish. NOTE: You can use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce if you prefer a thicker sauce. Parsley can be used as a garnish but since the Home Chef Extraordinaire doesn't like the taste of the herb, I left it out. And while I used dealcoholized red wine in my recipe, feel free to use your favorite Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon instead.

Juliet's Wine-Braised Short Ribs with Potatoes

serves 4

total time:  2 hours 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds bone-in beef short ribs, trimmed
• ¾ teaspoon table salt, divided
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped fine
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained with ¼ cup juice reserved, chopped coarse
• ½ cup dry red wine
• 1 pound small red potatoes, unpeeled, leave whole or halved
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley (optional)
  
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Dry short ribs dry by patting them with paper towels. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper. Using highest sauté function, heat oil in Instant Pot for 5 minutes (or until just smoking). Brown short ribs on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes; transfer to plate.

2.  Add onion and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to fat left in pot and cook, using highest sauté function, until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, tomato sauce and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and reserved juice and wine, scraping up any browned bits. Place short ribs meat side down into pot and add any accumulated juices. Lock lid in place and close pressure release valve. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 60 minutes.

3.  Turn off Instant Pot and let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Quick-release any remaining pressure, then carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you. Transfer short ribs to serving dish, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest while preparing potatoes.

4.  Strain braising liquid through fine-mesh strainer into fat separator; transfer solids to now-empty pot. Let braising liquid settle for 5 minutes, then pour 1½ cups defatted liquid and any accumulated juices into pot with solids; discard remaining liquid. Add potatoes. Lock lid in place and close pressure release valve. Select high pressure cook function and cook for 4 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot and quick-release pressure. Carefully remove lid, allowing steam to escape away from you.

5.  Using slotted spoon, transfer potatoes to serving dish (this one is my all time fave!). Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over short ribs and potatoes and sprinkle with parsley, if desired. Serve.

I hope you try this recipe and if you do, let me know how it turns out in the comments below!

It's that time of year when we realize the giving season is heading our way at rapid speed. It'll be a somewhat familiar holiday time because while we are still very much aware that there are certain health precautions we still must take for the safety of everyone, a few of us will be coming together in person to celebrate our love for each other, albeit in very strategic ways.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

FROM OUR PARTNERS

One tradition that won't change for us is the exchange of gifts and tokens of caring. I made sure that I got an early start this year since almost every present will be sent via some form of delivery service and this year will continue to be quite a challenge. So while I was in the midst of my shopping frenzy, I thought I'd try to help you with your gifting adventure! 

Color swatches from Pantone. 

I've gathered some pretty cool gifts that are sure to accommodate most budgets, from wallet-friendly to luxury. I hope there's something for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Since I live and breathe by beautiful, vibrant colors, I curated this gift guide using the colors I was inspired by from the Pantone Autumn/Winter 22/23 Trend Report!

It's a color palette that is not at all classic but exudes grand expression while maintaining a sense of calm vibrancy. These shades meant to excite but will enhance your desire to create unique self statements. Many of the fabulous items you'll find in this Gift Guide are from my great partners at Macy's. 

So, get out your gift list, have lots of fun and shop-by-color now!

1.  BRAHMIN Duxbury Leather Satchel

2.  JOURNEE COLLECTION Morgaan Tall Boots

3.  HUGO BOSS Men’s Double Breasted Coat

4.  G-SHOCK Men’s Analog-Digital Strap Watch

5.  CHARTER CLUB Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater

1.  HANDY LIVING George Armless Chair

2.  FIESTA 4pc Daffodil Place Setting

3.  COTTON ON Little Girls Marlo Track Pants

4.  LONDONTOWN Lakur Enhanced Color Nail Polish in Mango

5.  FREDDO Deluxe Push Ride-On

1.  JULRE DESIGNS STUDIO Apatite Slice Necklace

2.  NAUTICA Vitamin Sea Candle

3.  BCBGeneration Hooded Puffer Coat

4.  TIFFANY & CO Tiffany & Love Eau de Parfum

5.  BELLA Hot Air Popcorn Maker

1.  NAMBE Vie Wine Rack

2.  LUCKY BRAND Stud Leather Belt

3.  DKNY Bryant Backpack

4.  COTTON ON Big Girls Wide Brim Hat

5.  UGG Westsider Slides

FROM OUR PARTNERS 

You may have met our JulRe Designs Lifestyle CFO (Chief Fun Officer), the indomitable, narcissistic and sarcastically comedic tuxedo feline, Sparky on some of my social media pages. He is a Maine Coon mix that we adopted from the wonderful Atlantic County Animal Shelter in my hometown of Pleasantville, NJ and we are smitten.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links and I participate in the Amazon Associate program, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

He has an incredibly complex personality (moody changes to feisty within seconds) and is keenly aware of the power of his cuteness. He uses it with an unrelenting abandon to get whatever it is that he desires. From his very specific food preferences to his predilection for toys that are noiseless and contain abundant amounts of catnip, @SparkyBooBoo is our resident cartoon character. If you are a pet lover, follow his colorful adventures on Instagram.

If loving pet parents are being honest, we will admit that from time to time  we've succumbed to the adorable and perceived whims of our animal-children. I raise my hand as a guilty party. I have spoiled Sparky and I no longer run my own house but he brings so much joy to my family that his unwitting narcissism, created in large part by my actions, is something that has become an acceptable price to pay for the happiness of our dear kitty.

So with his fondness for a very fixed list of daily use items, I thought I'd share what it takes to keep our furry friend healthy, happy and purring while also helping us maintain his care with ease. Here are a few of Sparky's favorite things:

1.  Yeowww Catnip Toys  (see the video above for Sparky's real-time review)

2.  KeBuLe Cat Laser Toy (keeps your cat excited and engaged!)

3.  Bergan Turbo Cat Scratcher (see the love below!)

4.  WOPET Automatic Pet Feeder (great for feeding kitty on a schedule)

5.  Petmate Eco-Friendly Breakaway Cat Collar (safety first!)

6.  Spot Sponge Soccer Balls (for a game of toss that doesn't destroy the house!)

7.  Hertzko Self Cleaning Grooming Brush (oh, the feel-good the purrrrrs....)

8.  PetSafe SlimCat Meal-Dispensing Toy (perfect for snacks!)

9.  Burt's Bees For Cats Natural Dander Reducing Wipes (sulfate and paraben free! Smells wonderful!)

10. Best Friends by Sheri OrthoComfort Deep Dish Cuddler (cat cushiness!)

Pets can bring joy and happiness to our lives yet there are so many animals who aren't as fortunate as Sparky is to have a loving, caring family. Too many don't have homes, are being treated with cruelty and indecency and need warmth and kindness. There are wonderful organizations that were founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected. If you can find it in your heart, please adopt a pet from a reputable shelter. If taking care of a pet in your home is not possible, please consider donating to our favorite, the ASCPA through Sparky's fundraising page or to any of the other organizations that believe in the humanity of animals.

Until next time, may your life be filled with happiness and COLOR!